New Zealand eye England series win

Matt Henry took three top-order wickets to leave New Zealand on the brink of a series-clinching win as England’s batsmen failed miserably in the second and final Test at Edgbaston, AFP reported.

England, on a good batting pitch, were 122-9 in their second innings at stumps on the third day — just 37 runs ahead of New Zealand with one wicket standing and two days left to play.

Even so, that still represented a recovery from an even more embarrassing 76-7.

Henry, one of an exceptional six changes to the New Zealand side that drew the series opener at Lord’s, took the first three wickets to fall in a fine return of 3-36 in 12 overs.

New Zealand are eyeing only a third series win in England after their 1986 and 1999 triumphs — an ideal way to prepare for their appearance in next week’s inaugural World Test Championship final against India at Southampton.

England, by contrast, are facing a first series loss on home soil in seven years since a 2014 reverse against Sri Lanka.