AUCKLAND: Opening batsman Peter Fulton was closing on his maiden Test century as New Zealand took control on day one of the third and final Test against England at Eden Park on Friday.
Fulton was unbeaten on 95 and Kane Williamson 39 not out at the tea break in a Test which is looming as a series decider after rain-affected draws in the opening two matches.
England skipper Alastair Cook was punished after winning the toss and sending New Zealand in to bat on a drop-in Auckland wicket that was expected to offer his bowlers more pace and bounce than the lifeless pitches in Dunedin and Wellington.
But it proved another flat track that harboured no demons and New Zealand's batsmen worked patiently to see off the new ball, content to take just 17 runs off the first 10 overs.
Hamish Rutherford showed flashes of aggression hitting two sixes off Monty Panesar but came undone trying to do the same to Steve Finn just before lunch to depart on 37 and end a 79-run opening partnership.
Fulton and Williamson took advantage of the short boundaries at Eden Park, which is normally used as a rugby venue, to rack up a 94-run partnership in the second session, with Fulton bringing up his half century after 109 balls.
He singled out Panesar for punishment, hitting three boundaries, including a towering six, off the spinner's 12th over to pass his previous Test best of 75.
Fulton, recalled for this series after more than three years in the Test wilderness, scored 13 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten innings.
He had a life on 16 when a James Anderson inswinger flew off the edge of his bat and narrowly avoided the slips cordon before running away to the boundary.
Another mistake a few overs later off a short Broad delivery flew away for six on a frustrating day for the England attack.
Williamson looked uncomfortable early but settled into a solid supporting role as the Black Caps look to build a big first innings total.
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