Dec 08 (V7N)- Joe Root's scintillating century and England's sharp bowling display put the visitors on the brink of a series-clinching victory in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Root smashed a brilliant 106—his 36th Test century—before England declared at 427-6, leaving New Zealand chasing an improbable target of 583 runs. By lunch on day three, the hosts were reeling at 59-4, still 524 runs adrift, with Daryl Mitchell (20*) and Tom Blundell (0*) at the crease.

England's seamers capitalized on blustery conditions, with Chris Woakes (2-12) and Brydon Carse (2-11) dismantling New Zealand's top order. Woakes clean-bowled Devon Conway for a duck and removed Kane Williamson for just 4, while Carse dismissed Tom Latham (24) with a sharp caught-and-bowled and Rachin Ravindra (6) with a loose shot.

Earlier, Root and Ben Stokes added 100 runs for the sixth wicket in just 13.2 overs before the declaration. Root reached his century with a spectacular reverse lap for six off Will O'Rourke but was dismissed later in the same over. Stokes remained unbeaten on 49.

England had already secured an eight-wicket win in the first Test in Christchurch and are now poised to claim the three-match series with another dominant performance.

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