Black Caps in dominant position over England
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A strong performance from Henry Nicholls and a 161-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra has the Black Caps in complete control after three days of The Oval test.
The visitors leading by 352 with seven wickets still standing in their bid to level the series.
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New Zealand had missed one chance to shut the door on England, as Matt Fisher's maiden Test half-century helped add 53 for the last wicket during the morning session.
Matt Henry took 5-80 and Will O'Rourke 2-68, Kyle Jamieson and Nathan chipping in with a wicket each.
That was followed by the early loss of both openers in New Zealand's second innings, with Ravindra put down by wicketkeeper James Rew shortly afterwards. If that chance had stuck time, New Zealand would have been 48 for 3, leading by 148.
Instead the third-wicket pair advanced New Zealand towards a position of dominance as the sun blazed down over south London. Ravindra showed regular glimpses of his class on the way to a first significant score of the series (76).
Nicholls marked his return to the side by going on to an 11th Test hundred, brought up from his 136th ball with his 14th four.
Nicholls had been restored to the XI for this match after the sudden retirement of Kane Williamson between Tests, He was also missed by Rew, when gloving a pull at Jofra Archer shortly after tea when on 42, .
New Zealand now start day four at 252-3 a lead of 352 with Nicholls 119 and Daryl Mitchell 32 not out.
Earlier Tom Latham went for four and Devon Conway 11.
