Second Test - day five (close)

New Zealand 278 & 256-8 drew with England 307 and 352-9d

SOMERSET spinner Jack Leach claimed his maiden Test wickets but couldn't quite inspire England to victory as New Zealand held on to seal a 1-0 series victory.

The hosts began the day on 42-0, requiring a further 340 runs to win, and England made the best possible start when Stuart Broad dismissed Jeet Raval (17) and prized scalp Kane Williamson (0) with the first two balls of the day.

Leach was next to strike, as Ross Taylor top edged a sweep straight to Alastair Cook at short fine leg to become the Somerset man's first Test victim.

Mark Wood and Jimmy Anderson then claimed a wicket apiece before Leach struck again with another big wicket, as opener Tom Latham's stubborn resistance ended when he top edged a sweep on 83 - James Vince took a fine catch in the deep.

At that point the hosts were 162-6 with more than 40 overs left in the day and England looked well placed to wrap up their first Test win of the winter, especially when Leach then dived forward and took a superb catch to see the back of Colin de Grandhomme for 35.

That was the last meaningful breakthrough for the tourists, however, as Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner displayed admirable resistance to dig in and see their side to a draw.

Leach was introduced at various stages with fielders surrounding the bat, but there was no way through and he finished with 2-61 from 32 overs.

Sodhi left the field unbeaten with 56 from 168 balls with Wagner dismissed from what turned out to be the final ball of the day for seven from 103 deliveries.

Leach can reflect on a positive debut, having been among the wickets and kept it steady with the ball in the first innings as well as proving his mettle with the bat by scoring 16 - a knock which included seeing off the new ball - and 14 not out.

Speaking on the BBC's Test Match Special, former England spinner Graeme Swann said: "He's bowled well and done enough to suggest he has a future [at this level]."