Joe Root celebrated a timely return to form with a double century in Hamilton on Monday as England forged a 101-run lead over New Zealand on day four of the second Test.
The England captain reached the milestone with a risky single with batting partner Ollie Pope slow off the mark and only keeping his wicket when the New Zealand throw at the stumps went wide.
The tourists were dismissed for 476 just before the break, with Sam Curran 11 not out after Neil Wagner ran through the tail to finish with 5-124.
The teams took an early tea break when Wagner bowled Stuart Broad for his ninth five-wicket haul in tests.
New Zealand won the first test at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui by an innings and 65-runs.
Heavy rain is forecast for Hamilton on the fifth day on Tuesday.
Root had resurrected his side’s innings with a 177-run partnership with Rory Burns (101) on Sunday and 193 with Pope, who had been in sight of his maiden test century but mistimed a hook to be caught by Jeet Raval at deep square leg.
Root brought up his 200 with a quick single into the offside that left Pope having to dive to make his ground, although the throw at the stumps was wayward.
The skipper was eventually caught by Henry Nicolls at deep extra cover off Mitchell Santner.
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