England remain firmly in control of the second Test against New Zealand, despite half-centuries from Tim Southee, Tom Latham and Devon Conway frustrating them in their pursuit of victory.
New Zealand skipper Southee began the day with a swashbuckling 74 off just 49 balls that included six sixes and five fours. It was the 34-year-old's second-highest score, behind a 40-ball 77 he smashed against England on his debut back in 2008.
Southee's fun came to an end when he holed out off Stuart Broad and England proceeded to quickly take the final two wickets, with Broad getting Tom Blundell caught at mid-on for 38 and Matt Henry caught at backward point for six to end with figures of 4-61.
And with New Zealand bowled out for just 209, Ben Stokes decided to make them follow on. It is the first time England have enforced the follow on since August 2020, but openers Latham and Conway were stubborn in their resistance as they shared an excellent 149-run partnership.
It was New Zealand's highest stand all series and the likes of Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson went wicketless and will be hoping for more luck with the second new ball on day four. "New Zealand are finally showing what a good side they are and have been," former England captain Sir Alastair Cook said on BT Sport.
"Led by Latham and Conway - we spoke at the beginning of the series about how good the top order is, they've got experience and their numbers, stacked up against England's numbers are far better on paper. This is the first time they have managed to put a partnership together."
England's spinners did have some luck though, with Jack Leach and Joe Root posing a threat with the old ball. Leach made the elusive first breakthrough when Ollie Pope, who took two brilliant catches under the helmet on day two, produced another excellent diving catch at short leg to send Conway packing for a well-made 61.
Latham also departed just a few overs later when he misjudged a sweep shot and was out lbw for 83 to Root. Leach then produced an absolute beauty that spun past Will Young's outside edge and clipped his off stump, leaving New Zealand 167-3.
However, England were unable to make any further inroads on day three, with Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls safely guiding New Zealand to 200-3 at close with the visitors retaining a slender 24 run lead.
