England came back into the deciding third Test as New Zealand got stuck in mud on the second morning at Eden Park.

New Zealand began the day in charge at 1-250 but an improved England bowling effort was rewarded with the wickets of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton, and the home team ended the session at 4-312.

Williamson began the morning 17 runs short of his fourth Test century but he could only score eight before he edged behind after James Anderson got a ball to move away from him off the seam, ending his partnership with Fulton at 181.

Taylor showed plenty of urgency when he arrived, taking a number of quick singles and hitting spinner Monty Panesar for 10 runs in two balls before misjudging a Panesar delivery and being caught and bowled for 19.

Fulton became bogged down at the other end, partly due to well-set fields. He scored just five runs in the first hour and he was eventually fourth out for 136, caught down the leg side by a spectacular Matt Prior catch off Steven Finn.

Finn nearly had Brendon McCullum in the same over caught behind but McCullum successfully overturned a decision after replays showed he neither got an edge nor was he out lbw.

McCullum, who was his usual positive self, made his way to 14 by lunch, and Dean Brownlie was not out on six.

All England’s bowlers were improved, with Panesar holding an end up well and both Anderson and Finn troubled the batsmen.