AT TEA England were almost past New Zealand's total on 115 for three on the second day of the second Test in Wellington this morning, with Hussain 14 and Graham Thorpe on five.

Earlier Darren Gough grabbed five for 40 and Andy Caddick four for 45 as New Zealand were dismissed for 124. Gough and Caddick finished off the job they had begun the previous evening when the Kiwis folded to 56 for six.

Only Dipak Patel, last out for 45, offered resistance once Nathan Astle, the last recognised batsman, had fallen for 36 by lifting a drive at Gough to mid-off.

It was Gough's second five-wicket Test haul, following his six for 49 against Australia in Sydney two years ago. Dominic Cork removed Allott after Gough had sent back Astle and Simon Doull in the space of three balls in his fifth over of the morning.

And Caddick, returning for his second spell of the day, picked up the final wicket as England's three seamers put their side in an extremely strong position. New Zealand's total was the lowest made against England since Australia's 116 in the same Sydney Test in which Gough previously starred.

Allott never looked comfortable against the pace of Gough, almost ducking into a couple of bouncers.

And it was no surprise when the fast bowler was beaten off the pitch by Cork, edging to Nick Knight at second slip. His dismissal for one left the Kiwis 106-for nine but Patel at least was still offering resistance.

Twice he pulled fours, off Gough and then when Caddick replaced him, and Patel reached 39 by on-driving Caddick for another boundary.

Cork, meanwhile, had brainlessly bowled bouncers at 18-year-old Test debutant Daniel Vettori even following-through right down the pitch at one stage in a ridiculously unnecessary show of aggression. A straight ball or two - might have removed Vettori but Cork was unable to produce it.

Caddick eventually ended the innings, Patel trying to flat bat him back over his head but skying to mid-off.

Patel had scored 45 from 66 balls, including six fours, and England's effort in bowling out New Zealand for 124 had put them in total command of the Test.

Alec Stewart completed his 50 from 76 balls, and a third successive Test ton looked likely. But then he drove at a full length delivery from Geoff Allott and Stephen Fleming, at first slip, stuck out his left hand to bring off a brilliant reflex catch.

His 52 had taken only 86 balls, with six fours and, at 106 for three, Graham Thorpe joined Hussain.

Atherton was lucky to get four runs when he edged Allott short of second slip, and then next ball earned another boundary with an uncontrolled flick off his pads that flew just wide of diving keeper Lee Germon.

He reached 30 by cover driving Doull for four but then next ball was trapped lbw to a full length delivery, England 80 for two.

England lost the wicket of the-out-of-touch Nick Knight before lunch the Warwickshire opener, weakly steering a short ball from Doull to gully where Patel stretched to his left to take a smart catch.