WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP):

ENGLAND BUILT an impregnable position by batting throughout the third day of the second Test yesterday to lead New Zealand by 421 runs at stumps.

No English batsman excelled - Alastair Cook made 60, Paul Collingwood 59- but the foundation of a 144-run first innings lead and a second innings score of 277 for nine at stumps put England in prime position to push for a series-levelling victory.

New Zealand have two of the four highest fourth innings totals in Test cricket - both against England. They scored 451 at Christchurch in 2002 and 440 at Nottingham in 1973, but lost both matches.

The pitch at the Basin Reserve has mellowed after offering bounce and seam on the first two days to become perfect for batting. Should England's last pair of Monty Panesar and James Anderson be able to hold out in the morning, it will leave England captain Michael Vaughan the decision of when to declare and how much time to give his bowlers to take the 10 wickets they need for victory.