James Anderson validated his elevation to top spot in the world Test bowling rankings as England took full control of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veteran seamer Anderson took 3-37, sending the Black Caps stumbling to 96-6 at tea on day two in Wellington after England declared their first innings at 435-8 just before lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spinner Jack Leach also took three scalps, leaving New Zealand staring at a 339-run deficit ahead of what looks like being a challenging final session under cloudy skies at the Basin Reserve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England are on course for a sweep of the two-match series, having won the first Test by 267 runs in Mount Maunganui by employing the same mix of aggressive batting and potent seam bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joe Root was unbeaten on 153 when captain Ben Stokes declared, leaving his bowlers half an hour to attack the Black Caps before lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anderson answered the call, removing Devon Conway (0) and Kane Williamson (4) to have the hosts languishing at 12-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The exacting paceman removed Will Young (2) after the break to underscore why he'd been reinstated to No 1 in the ICC player rankings released this week - the oldest player to hold the perch, at 40.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
All three batsmen feathered edges to gloveman Ben Foakes, extending the number of Test victims caught by a wicketkeeper off Anderson to 188 - 36 more than any other bowler.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Left-handers Tom Latham (35) and Henry Nicholls (30) launched a rearguard but both fell when attempting to reverse-sweep Leach (3-28), offering catches to fielders around the bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Leach dismissed Daryl Mitchell with the final ball before tea, leaving Tom Blundell as the unbeaten batsman on 12.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, England lost five wickets and added a further 120 runs in an entertaining opening session after resuming at 315-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harry Brook fell in the third over for 186, having added just two to his overnight score.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His blazing knock formed part of a 302-run stand with Root - the second-highest in England's Test history against New Zealand - having rescued the tourists from 21-3 early on day one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Root effortlessly advanced from his overnight 101 to surpass 150 for the 14th time in his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 32-year-old received lively support from Stokes - who blasted 27 off 28 balls - Stuart Broad (14) and Ollie Robinson (18).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Root struck 10 fours and three sixes, including a reverse ramp shot that cleared the boundary rope off the fourth ball he faced on Saturday, from Tim Southee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n