Matt Henry took three top-order wickets to leave New Zealand on the brink of a series-clinching win as England’s batsmen failed miserably in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.

England, on a good batting pitch, were 122-9 in their second innings at stumps on the third day — just 37 runs ahead of New Zealand with one wicket standing and two days left to play.

Even so, that still represented a recovery from an even more embarrassing 76-7.

Henry, one of an exceptional six changes to the New Zealand side that drew the first Test at Lord’s, took the first three wickets to fall en route to fine figures of 3-36 in 12 overs.

New Zealand are eyeing only a third series win in England after their 1986 and 1999 triumphs — an ideal way to prepare for their appearance in next week’s inaugural World Test Championship final against India at Southampton.

England are facing a first series loss on home soil in seven years since a 2014 reverse against Sri Lanka.

Their slim hopes of setting a challenging target rest with tailenders Olly Stone (15 not out) and James Anderson (nought not out), whose England record 162nd Test is unlikely to be one the pace great remembers fondly.

Henry struck with just the second ball of England’s innings when opener Rory Burns, who made 81 first time around, was well caught in the slips for a duck by stand-in skipper Tom Latham.

New Zealand’s close-catching, far superior to England’s this series, also accounted for Dom Sibley (10), well-taken in the cordon by Daryl Mitchell off Henry.

Specialist batsmen Zak Crawley made 10 and Ollie Pope 23 as their run of low scores continued.

Dan Lawrence, who top-scored with 81 not out in England’s first innings, was powerless to prevent further collapse as he went for a duck, caught off left-arm quick Neil Wagner (3-18) by diving wicket-keeper Tom Blundell.

New batsman James Bracey at avoided a third successive nought in Test cricket but could only manage eight before he played on trying to sweep left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.

Patel was well used by Latham. The spinner then captured the prize wicket of Joe Root for 11 when the England captain and star batsman was caught behind off an edged cut.

Fast bowler Wood followed his first-innings 41 with a game 29 as he shared a stand of 44 with fellow quick Stone.

But a knock featuring five fours and a six ended when he skyed a pull off Wagner to Blundell.