Vince, Stoneman give England scent of victory

Visitors end day three on 202-3; lead by 231 runs against New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH: James Vince and Mark Stoneman were the toast of England Sunday as they ended day three of the second Test against New Zealand sensing their first away victory in two years.

England, who have not tasted success in their last 12 away Tests, hold a healthy 231-run lead with seven second innings wickets in hand.

"A good couple of sessions (on Monday) and we've got a chance of forcing a win," batting coach Graham Thorpe said with their strong position the result of a 123-run stand by Vince and Stoneman for the second wicket.

The pair came together at 24 for one after the loss of Alastair Cook with Vince going on to make 76 and Stoneman his highest score in Tests with 60.

"Both would have loved to have got 100s and gone on, but they will get a good pat from us in the dressing room," Thorpe said.

Joe Root was not out 30 at the end of the day with Dawid Malan on 19 as England ended the day on 202 for three.

BJ Watling, who made 85 in New Zealand's rearguard action to lift their first innings to 278, believed the first session on Monday would likely dictate the outcome.

"We're probably fractionally behind. Obviously Vince and Stoneman had a really good partnership," he said. "Tomorrow morning's a massive session in the game. If we can take four or five wickets in that session we can put them under some pressure and obviously if they come through it then they're in control of the game."

Cook went early for 14, continuing a disappointing run for the opener in which he has totalled only 23 in four innings in New Zealand, and has been removed by Trent Boult each time.

But Vince and Stoneman put England's innings back on track, helped by a benign wicket which offered little assistance to the bowlers. AFP