Fleming challenges England to push for victory

New Zealand finished the fourth day at Seddon Park on Saturday 147 for eight, 269 ahead, after Ryan Sidebottom had ripped the heart out of their batting order with a hat-trick.

England had been bowled out for 348 just after lunch, taking 173.1 overs to achieve their score.

Fleming said he would be disappointed if there was no push for and an England victory.

"They have been out of the game for four days and to be presented an opportunity and not take it would be staggering," Fleming said.

"We bowled well. It was honest toil. But at two an over for that period of time, you would think at some point they would have looked to dominate," he added of England's first innings batting. They will probably have to score at twice that rate to win so if they do that it will be a remarkable turnaround."

Fleming admitted they were disappointed to have lost so many wickets late on Saturday, after they had cruised to 99 for one before slumping to 119 for seven, courtesy of Sidebottom's hat-trick.

Sidebottom finished with five for 37 and Monty Panesar three for 33 as New Zealand's batters looked to up their scoring rate and set a target in excess of 300 by stumps.

"We're not overly happy about how the situation occurred but when we have analysed it, in any given situation you'd take 270-280 into the last day. It has breathed some life into the game that was meandering along. While it was spectacular to lose the wickets and you'd love to be in a position where you can dictate a little bit more, it's our best chance of winning. We were the only team to be positive enough to create this opportunity."