New Zealand have decided against enforcing the follow-on after mopping up England’s tail to end the tourists’ first innings at 204 in the third and deciding final cricket Test in Auckland.

With a 239-run lead, Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum opted to bat again in the final session of the third day on Sunday.

The chief destroyer in England’s innings was Trent Boult, who finished with career-best figures of 6-68 in his 13th Test.

He was well supported by fellow paceman Tim Southee, with 3-44, as both were able to get movement in the air.

The taking of the new ball just before tea, when England were 6-173, proved significant.

Boult removed Chris Broad to start the slide.

All of Broad’s 16 runs came from four consecutive Boult deliveries, the last a six over mid-wicket.

But he drove the very next ball to Hamish Rutherford at cover to leave England at 7-200.

Boult followed up by removing Steven Finn (0) and Jimmy Anderson (4) both caught behind, in the same over.

Southee closed the innings when he bowled Joe Root for 45.

Earlier, wicketkeeper Matt Prior led an England fight-back with an aggressive 73.

Prior put on a 101-run stand with Root before he cut a Neil Wagner delivery to Rutherford at point.

The pair had come together when England, starting the day at 2-50, were reduced to 5-72.

Prior was the dominant member of the partnership, although he had a let-off on 24.

He and Root had advanced England to the traditionally superstitious total of 111 when he attempted to drive a Southee delivery.

Instead, he edged a low chance that Dean Brownlie at second slip got both hands to but spilled.

In the day’s opening session, Southee grabbed two wickets and Boult one, all by lbw.

Southee claimed the scalps of Nick Compton (13) and Ian Bell (17), while Boult removed Jonny Bairstow (3).

The series is tied at 0-0 after the first two Tests were both affected by rain.