Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were steering New Zealand closer to safety as dark clouds gathered over day four of the second cricket Test in Wellington.

Following on in their second innings, New Zealand were 2-153 at lunch at the Basin Reserve on Sunday, still 58 short of making England bat again.

The tourists snared opener Peter Fulton for 45, having added just four to his overnight score, but Williamson (51no) and Taylor (36no) were rarely threatened in crafting a 72-run partnership.

Light morning rain didn’t delay the scheduled start but a forecast for heavier showers in the afternoon could threaten England’s push for victory.

They remain in a powerful position after leading by 211 runs on the first innings but the weather and a pitch showing few signs of breaking up could work against them.

Resuming at 1-77, New Zealand added 76 in an incident-free morning session for the loss of Fulton, who sparred James Anderson straight to captain Alastair Cook at first slip.

A watchful Williamson added 35 to his overnight score to raise a sixth half-century. He struck seven fours but took particular care against the miserly spin of Monty Panesar, who has figures of 1-40 off 23 overs.

Taylor, dismissed first ball in the first innings, was more free, stroking six fours off 70 balls faced.

There was little life for the seamers, including Anderson, who sits on 295 wickets in 79 Tests.

That leaves him just two behind former spinner Derek Underwood, who is fourth on the all-time England list.