England face battle to save series against New Zealand after rain ends play early on day four

England are faced with a huge task in chasing down New Zealand in their second Test against the Black Caps at Headingley.

The hosts recorded 44-0 in pursuit of 455 needed to win before rain brought an early end to play on day four.

England, who hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, will resume with Alastair Cook (18) and Adam Lyth (24) on Tuesday (2 June) but will need to pull off the highest successful run chase in Test history to snatch victory.

Resuming on 338-6, New Zealand hit 116 runs in just 16 overs as they set an early pace with Mark Craig (58) and Tim Southee (40) leading the charge while BJ Walting added another 20 after hitting a century on day three.

Walting was finally stopped when he was caught at third slip by Joe Root off James Anderson's delivery but the partnership of Craig and Southee delivered another 67 off 53 runs before Moeen Ali broke the partnership.

There was still time for Matt Henry to hit three sixes off Broad's delivery before the visitors declared 43 minutes before lunch.

The partnership of openers Lyth and Cook came through their four overs unscathed before weather conditions brought an early end to proceedings.