England take charge on Day 3 of Christchurch Test

Christchurch [New Zealand], April 1 (ANI): James Vince, Mark Stoneman, and Stuart Broad led England's charge on Day Three of their second and final Test against New Zealand, extending the visitors' lead to 231 runs with seven wickets in hand, here at Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Vince made 76, and Stoneman a career-best 60 to turn a modest 29-run first-innings lead into an overall advantage.

Stuart Broad, on the other hand, completed his 16th five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of six for 54, as New Zealand was bowled out for 278 in their first innings.

BJ Watling (85) top-scored for New Zealand, while, Colin de Grandhomme made 72.

Pacer Tim Southee posted his first Test half-century since 2014.

In reply to England's first-inning score of 307, New Zealand made a poor start to their innings, losing openers Jeet Raval and Tom Latham cheaply for five and duck.

Subsequently, skipper Kane Williamson chipped in with 22 runs before being dismissed off James Anderson's delivery while Ross Taylor (two) and Henry Nicholls (duck) were also bowled out cheaply.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Watling then combined with all-rounder de Grandhomme to notch a record partnership of 142 runs for the sixth wicket to bring New Zealand back on track against England.

At the end of the third day's play, England were at 202-3 and leading New Zealand by 231 runs.

New Zealand are currently leading the two-match Test series 1-0 after they won the opening match by an innings and 49 runs. (ANI)