England close in on the inevitable

New Zealand batted pretty well on day four of the third and deciding Test but the result appears inevitable with the home side needing another 320 runs for victory, while England just need another five wickets to wrap up the series win.

Though England's decision to bat on for half an hour on the fourth morning annoyed me intensely - is 500 not enough runs to defend? - and smacks of weakness on the part of the England captain and management, they are nevertheless on course for victory.

With Stephen Fleming back in the pavillion having played his last Test innings, they will struggle to bat out much of the final day and it would not surprise me if they don't make it to lunchtime, even though Ross Taylor looks a fine player and Daniel Vettori can always be relied upon to fight.

Bet365 make England 1/50 for victory while New Zealand are 66/1 and the draw is 12/1. Taylor, who has 34 runs to his name, is 5/6 to get to 65 or more while Brendon McCullum, who is unbeaten on 24, is the same price to get to 53 or better.

Batting out a whole day with the top half of the batting order already back in the pavillion is far too much to ask, especially for a team of New Zealand's standing, with all respect to them, and if England don't win this one, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Only the weather can save New Zealand now but the forecast is set fair so that looks like desperation talk.