View photos: NZ v England, third testKEY POINTS:
Centurions Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell combined today to ensure New Zealand face another world record run chase if they are to prevent England securing a cricket series-winning victory here.
At stumps on day three of the third test at McLean Park, England were a seemingly impregnable 416 for five, a massive lead of 501.
New Zealand, who fell 126 runs short of their 438-run fourth innings target in Wellington last week, will be faced with another ominous target if and when Michael Vaughan declares.
The omens are not good for New Zealand given their highest successful run chase was 324 for five against Pakistan in 1994.
The highest successful chase is the West Indies' 418-run overhaul of Australia at Antigua in 2003.
Strauss and Bell were at the heart of England batting the home side into submission with long overdue hundreds.
A patient Strauss, without a ton in 16 tests, was unbeaten on a career-best 173 at the close today while Bell, who had a 12-test lull before making three figures earlier, added a sprightly 110.
The pair shared a fourth wicket stand of 187 in exactly 50 overs -- a stand that eclipsed New Zealand's first innings yesterday in terms of total and duration.
Strauss, who had not passed 50 in the series before this final innings, displayed immense concentration as he progressed from his overnight 42.
After enduring 30 innings without reaching triple figures, Strauss has occupied the crease more than eight hours and faced 337 balls.
He took 112 balls to reach his half century and maintained practically an identical scoring rate before flourishing his bat to the dressing room as his 16th boundary -- a sweet drive through cover crossed the rope.
His 11th test century was the former South African's first since he compiled 116 against Pakistan at Leeds in August 2006 and has contained 25 boundaries.
Bell was also delighted to end a 23-innings sequence between his sixth and seventh hundreds.
Although England were already in control after routing New Zealand for 168 yesterday, the 25-year-old heaped more misery on the hosts as he motored from 18 to 106 in a middle session that saw 135 runs added.
Bell was on track to overtake the opener but he was caught by Mathew Sinclair off Daniel Vettori's bowling to give the skipper scant consolation.
The 25-year-old, who scored his previous ton against the West Indies last May (109 not out), brought up the milestone in 150 deliveries with a boundary that also marked the pair's 150-run partnership. He struck 17 boundaries and two sixes.
England had started the day on 91 for two, a buffer of 176, and never threatened to emulate New Zealand's dramatic collapse for 168 yesterday.
Kevin Pietersen, who started the century trend in the first innings with 129, was the only casualty in the morning session when he was smartly caught by Ross Taylor at slip off Vettori for 34.
England resumed sedately, adding just 76 in the morning session but Strauss and particularly Bell then turned the screws as New Zealand, even with the use of the second new ball, toiled in vain.
Paul Collingwood departed in the final session for a rapid 22, though Vettori's caught and bowled -- which gave him figures of three for 135 -- barely registered. Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose (28) will be alongside Strauss as he strives for a double century tomorrow.
- NZPA
