New Zealand's Ross Taylor hits out on his way to an unbeaten 154 on the second day of the second Test against England at Old Trafford yesterday. - AP

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

ROSS TAYLOR'S unbeaten 154 yesterday put New Zealand in a commanding position against England in the second Test at Old Trafford.

The Black Caps finished the innings at 381 for nine and stifled the home team to 152 for four at stumps on the second day.

Powerful batting by Taylor pegged England back, with the New Zealander hitting 17 boundaries and five sixes in 176 balls for his highest Test score.

James Anderson took four wickets to end the innings after lunch on the second day with Daniel Flynn unable to return to bat. Flynn retired hurt on four on Friday when a top front tooth was knocked out by Anderson's bouncer. A bottom tooth was badly cracked and the batsman was suffering from nausea and vomiting after dental surgery. Flynn visited a neurosurgeon for further checks and returned to the team hotel as he waits to hear whether he can participate in the remaining three days.

Taylor was well supported by tailender Kyle Mills (57). Anderson finished with figures of 4-118, while Ryan Sidebottom took 2-86.

The opening day at Old Trafford was curtailed by bad light, leaving the tourists on 202-4 overnight, but the gloom was replaced by bright conditions yesterday.

The swirling wind saved overnight batsman Jacob Oram when Anderson couldn't hold a chance at square leg. But four balls later, Oram's 113-run stand with Taylor was over.

The allrounder was run out for 38 by Cook at backward point, ending his 113-run stand with Taylor - the biggest partnership of the innings.

direct hit

Two balls later, captain Daniel Vettori was also back in the pavilion. Monty Panesar collected the ball on the boundary, threw to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose and he, in turn, threw down the stumps at the bowler's end with a direct hit. TV replays showed the New Zealand captain failing to place a foot or the bat in the crease.

Taylor blasted a six to deep, square leg for his second Test century in 130 balls after surviving a leg before appeal by Panesar.

Mills stroked a maiden Test half century, but fell after slicing into his wicket while attempting to cut Anderson.

bowled without scoring

Ian O'Brien went for five after hooking an Anderson bouncer to short leg, where he was caught by Ian Bell. Chris Martin was then bowled without scoring.

England began well before pace bowler O'Brien dismissed Alastair Cook for 19 with a leg-cutter in an lbw decision that appeared harsh on TV replays.

Andrew Strauss was caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off O'Brien having reached 60.

A late collapse dented England's chances of protecting their unbeaten Test record here, which stretches back to 2001. Captain Michael Vaughan (30) and nightwatchman Ryan Sidebottom (four) both went toward the close of an uninterrupted day.