Alec Stewart's Test career was left hanging in the balance after suffering a double failure during one of the most dramatic day's cricket in Test history at Edgbaston yesterday.

Regarded as the backbone of the side until he lost the captaincy and the wicketkeeping duties a week ago, Stewart faced just six balls, scored only one run and was dismissed twice as 21 wickets fell in the day. Replying to New Zealand's 226, England were in turn bowled out for 126 before the tourists slumped to 107 all out in their second innings, setting England 208 for victory. But although the crowd had already been given more than enough drama, Stewart fell for the second time in the day when he was yorked by Geoff Allott. Stewart had begun the dramatic events just nine minutes into the day when he shouldered arms to an Allott inswinger which cut back sharply. Unlike England, New Zealand exploited the helpful conditions to the maximum. Delivering banana-like balls almost at will, New Zealand bowler Simon Doull spread panic amongst the England batsmen and enabled Chris Cairns and Dion Nash to wrap up the innings and dismiss their hosts for their lowest ever total against New Zealand in England. England's cause was not helped by three of their leading batsmen contributing to their own downfall with Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe joining Stewart as architects of their own demise.

But in between the loss of those key wickets, Hussain's dismissal had sent a shiver through the home dressing-room after Doull produced a near perfect delivery, pitching on middle before seaming away and clipping his off-stump. Mark Ramprakash then departed to a similarly unplayable delivery. Debutants Aftab Habib and Chris Read also fell victim to swing and the fluctuating bounce to leave England reeling at 45 for 7. They were only saved from further embarrassment by the determination of Andy Caddick and Alex Tudor. Caddick then answered his critics by taking the new ball and striking with the first delivery of New Zealand's reply. Alan Mullally then claimed the next three wickets and it was left to New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming to carefully guide his side to a challenging total.

Caddick, however, grabbed four wickets for one run in 18 balls to leave New Zealand on just 52 for 8 until tail-ender Doull teamed up with Fleming to devastating effect, the pair adding 54 off 71 balls.

After New Zealand's innings was closed, the day had one last twist with Stewart's dismissal, leaving England in further trouble.