Record-breaker Kane Williamson stroked a superb century Monday to steer New Zealand to 483 all out in their second innings and set England a target of 258 runs to win the second Test in Wellington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former captain Williamson hit 132 and Tom Blundell was last man out for 90 as the hosts fought back after being asked to follow on at the Basin Reserve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England were 48-1 in their second innings at stumps after opener Zak Crawley, on 24, was bowled by a delivery that nipped back from New Zealand skipper Tim Southee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ben Duckett was unbeaten on 23 and nightwatchman Ollie Robinson on one, leaving England needing 210 more runs on Tuesday's final day for a 2-0 series sweep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tourists won the first Test by 267 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We're excited about chasing that (target) down tomorrow," said England spinner Jack Leach, who took 5-157.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We know how we want to go about it and it's a case of us sticking to that process. We're confident."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand need nine wickets to pull off only the fourth victory by a side following on in the history of Test cricket and square the two-match series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It would be pretty special," Williamson said of New Zealand's historic bid.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's pretty exciting going into day five and we want to make sure our bowling is on. There's all to play for."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts resumed their second innings on Monday at 202-3, still trailing by 24, but Williamson led the charge with his 26th Test century.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It fell to England's new batting star and part-time seam bowler Harry Brook to claim Williamson's prized wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After grinding down England's bowlers, Williamson was finally caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes off a fine edge after a sixth-wicket partnership of 158 with Blundell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Williamson trudged off to hearty applause from the Wellington crowd after dragging New Zealand back into the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was his second standing ovation of the day, having eclipsed Ross Taylor in the morning session to become New Zealand's most prolific Test batsman with 7,787 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His partnership with Blundell helped New Zealand fight back after England declared their first innings at 435-8 then scuttled New Zealand for 209, before inviting the hosts to bat again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand can join an elite club if they win -- only England, twice, and India have won a Test after following on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Williamson, who survived a close shout for a stumping when on 45, handed his side a fighting chance after frustrating England alongside Blundell, with support from Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell before lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Blundell hit Stuart Broad to the boundary as New Zealand passed 400, then Williamson also smacked England's seamer for four to bring up his hundred -- his first since scoring two tons against Pakistan in December 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand folded quickly once Williamson departed and he was full of praise for Brook's bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He didn't miss his length, he was immaculate. He's a special player," Williamson said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the former captain gone, Michael Bracewell went in sloppy fashion, run out for six as he inexplicably failed to ground his bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Foakes whipped off the bails from Ben Stokes' laser throw in the deep when Bracewell should have been home comfortably.<\/p>\r\n\r\n