New Zealand require three wickets in the final session of the third cricket Test in Auckland to secure a rare series win over England.

They captured the prized wicket of Ian Bell in the final over before tea to leave the tourists, set a target of 481, at 7-237.

The experienced pair of Bell and Matt Prior had put on a 78-run stand when Bell pushed forward to a delivery from Neil Wagner and was caught by Tim Southee in the slips.

Bell had provided the main resistance so far in England’s bid to save the Test and leave the series tied 0-0.

He spent seven minutes short of six hours at the crease and faced 271 deliveries.

He did offer a chance just before lunch, when he was on 40, but was dropped by Dean Brownlie at fourth slip off paceman Trent Boult.

Prior showed a willingness to play his shots but also had a couple of anxious moments in getting to an unbeaten 45.

The wicketkeeper was given out lbw to Southee when on 16, but made a successful appeal as replays showed a faint edge before the ball hit his pad.

He then had a lucky escape on 28 when a short ball from Wagner rebounded from his bat handle to his grill and onto the stumps, but the bails stayed put.

Earlier on Monday, a sedate opening session burst into life when New Zealand took the second new ball three overs from lunch.

Boult achieved success with the very first delivery, trapping Joe Root lbw for 29.

But Boult then had two other chances put down in his next over and the last before lunch.

Two balls after Bell had his reprieve, Jonny Bairstow offered a catch to gully but Kane Williamson spilled the ball.

Bairstow failed to last the first over after lunch, caught for six when edging a Southee delivery to Ross Taylor at first slip.