25 Mar 2013

Black Caps in charge of test

7:00 pm on 25 March 2013

New Zealand are firmly in charge of the series-deciding third test in Auckland after reducing England to 90 for four at the close of play.

The visitors are still 391 runs behind, chasing an improbable 481 for victory going into tomorrow's final day.

A victory for New Zealand would be just their second home series win over the tourists, and fourth-ever.

A second century from Peter Fulton put the Black Caps well in control when they declared their second innings on 241 for six, a massive lead of 480 runs over England.

Fulton hit 110 including 5 sixes, one of them to bring up his century, and he's now just the fourth New Zealander to score two tons in one test match

England's innings started poorly with Nick Compton gone early for 2 to Tim Southee before a 58-run stand between Alistair Cook and Jonathan Trott steadied the ship.

But the runs dried up once Trott went for 37, also nicking one behind, off Neil Wagner.

Part-time spinner Kane Williamson took two wickets, including that of Cook, just before stumps.