England wicketkeeper Matt Prior led an England fight-back on the third day of the final cricket Test against New Zealand before falling late in the middle session.

Prior, the most aggressive of the England batsmen, scored 73 as he helped England recover to 6-176 at tea on Sunday in reply to New Zealand’s first innings total of 443.

The tourists remain 68 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Prior put on a 101-run stand with Joe Root before he cut a Neil Wagner delivery to Hamish 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 when he got to 24.

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

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

Prior added insult to injury in the same over, driving through the covers for four.

He was particularly severe on spinner Bruce Martin, hitting three boundaries in two successive overs as he started to increase what had been a stodgy English run-rate.

Prior, who took five catches in the New Zealand innings, went on to collect 13 boundaries during his 166-minute stay at the crease.

His half-century was the 26th of his Test career.

Earlier, Southee grabbed two wickets and fellow pacemen Trent Boult one, all by lbw, as New Zealand dominated the opening session.

Southee claimed the scalps of Nick Compton (13) and Ian Bell (17), while Boult got his third wicket of the innings by removing Jonny Bairstow (3).

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