Opener Peter Fulton scored his second century of the match as New Zealand set England the imposing target of 481 on Monday to win the deciding third cricket Test in Auckland.

Fulton, who compiled 136 in the first innings for his maiden Test ton, followed up with 110 before the Black Caps declared at 6-241 during the second session on day four.

If England achieve the target, it will be the highest successful fourth innings chase in a Test.

Fulton brought up his second hundred with a flourish, slamming a six back over the head of seamer Stuart Broad.

The 34-year-old Cantabrian became the fourth New Zealander to get to three figures in both innings of a Test, after Glenn Turner, Geoff Howarth and Andrew Jones.

He fell in the next over, mistiming a pull shot from a Steven Finn delivery to Joe Root at mid-on.

After putting his head down in the first innings and also late on Sunday, when New Zealand were reduced to 3-8 at one stage, Fulton opened up on Monday.

In all, he hit 19 boundaries, including five sixes, and put on partnerships of 74 with Dean Brownlie (28) and 117 with skipper Brendon McCullum.

After Fulton’s departure, McCullum continued the attack and finished unbeaten on 67, having faced just 53 balls and hit five fours and three sixes.

He made the declaration after BJ Watling holed out to spinner Monty Panesar for 18.

Panesar, despite taking some stick, finished with 2-53, while Broad took 2-54.