Last session put us in the box seat: Overton

Jamie Overton, who missed a Test century by three runs, admitted that he was dismayed by missing the landmark, but also felt that it was job done after the 241-run stand he shared with Jonny Bairstow for the 7th wicket. The pair rescued England from a dismal 55/6 and propelled them enough to take a vital lead in the first innings.

"Obviously I was very disappointed getting out on 97. But me and Jonny put us in a great position. And that knock from Broady (42 off 36) coming in and getting us into a lead has put us in a great place going into the second innings. It was obviously disappointing but I feel I've contributed to the team more than enough," said Overton who also revealed that he did not have a great night's sleep before. "I was tossing and turning for quite a lot. I'm always going to be a little bit nervous but I felt like I was in sort of in a great place this morning and just didn't quite get over the line. The ball was there to hit and I just hit it to the wrong place."

In reply, New Zealand got off to a strong start before they lost four wickets for 31 runs in the final session.

"We chatted at tea that potentially the afternoon session wasn't that great for us. We obviously didn't go for loads of runs but we didn't feel like we bowled and fielded the way we wanted to, so coming out after tea it was just trying to enjoy ourselves, put the New Zealand guys under pressure, and that's what we did. The crowd obviously got involved a little bit and we tried to gee them up because that always helps us as well.

"I think that last session put us right in the box seat. We would like to go back out there at the end but couldn't quite get out there with the covers needing time to get them off.

"But yeah, we're in a great position going into tomorrow and hopefully we can get the two early wickets, the two key wickets. But we feel like we're in a good place. And if we can get those two (Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell) early, then we're in a great place to win the game," said Overton.

The final session also saw a rain break that did not make things easier for New Zealand's batters as they prepared to dig in, felt Trent Boult.

"It was disappointing to lose a couple of wickets there just after those two breaks, 130 or so ahead but there's a big partnership at the crease now and if they can play the way they have been throughout the series, it's a big partnership for us and then hopefully some cameos from who's to come, it's anyone's game I suppose going into the next couple of days. But yeah we have to do what we have spoken about to put us in a good position.

"England bowled incredibly well, relentless with their areas and the Duke ball. If there are enough good balls in an area, one's going to get your wicket. And the breaks came at the wrong time for us and the right time for them really," said Boult.

"These guys know the conditions very well and to control that run rate very nicely. In the series, runs have been pretty light for a couple of our batters. It's the game I suppose so. Their batsmen have been under pressure but managed to counteract the things we've been throwing at them. It's been an exciting series and there's still a lot to play for here, so we're really focused on putting that big score on the board and bowling really well to it," he added.