LIVE: New Zealand v England - the action as it happened on day one of third Test

By Joe Ridge

PUBLISHED: 07:00 EST, 17 March 2013 | UPDATED: 23:41 EST, 21 March 2013

Stay up to date with all the action on day one of the third Test between England and New Zealand in Auckland with Sportsmail's unrivalled team.

We'll deliver over-by-over coverage and our brilliant writers will update with their insights from the ground as the tourists look to claim a series victory.

Keep up to date with Sportsmail's cricket correspondent Paul Newman (@Newman_Cricket) and email your thoughts to joe.ridge@dailymail.co.uk

STUMPS ON DAY ONE: NEW ZEALAND 250-1

4.37am: Well, that was very painful if you are an England fan. Several wickets tomorrow are vital otherwise England can kiss goodbye to any hopes of a series win. Join me from 9pm... Thanks, as ever, for reading.

90th over: New Zealand 250-1 (Fulton 124, Williamson 83)

Finn will bowl the last over of the day - Williamson facing. He is as watchful as ever as Finn sends down a set of six well short of this usual pace. Maiden and stumps.

89th over: New Zealand 250-1 (Fulton 124, Williamson 83)

Anderson to bowl his last over of the day... he has Fulton on strike. Fulton plays and misses at one, but so tired are England that there are no cries as the ball narrowly passes the bat. Maiden.

88th over: New Zealand 250-1 (Fulton 124, Williamson 83)

Back comes Steven Finn for a couple of overs before stumps. He has been pretty indifferent today despite taking England's only wicket. He strays onto Fulton's pads and the big man is able to clip three through midwicket. Williamson sees off the rest.

87th over: New Zealand 247-1 (Fulton 121, Williamson 83)

Fulton tucks Anderson to fine leg for a single. Williamson has a little flirt outside off... Was that a bit of movement or is that sleep deprivation? I'll give Jimmy the benefit of the doubt.

86th over: New Zealand 246-1 (Fulton 120, Williamson 83)

Broad to continue... A bit of movement back in again this time to Fulton. He's been the pick of England's seamers today, though that's not saying much. Just the single from the over.

85th over: New Zealand 245-1 (Fulton 119, Williamson 83)

Fulton picks up three down to third man off Anderson - there have been plenty through there today.

84th over: New Zealand 242-1 (Fulton 116, Williamson 83)

Williamson punches a couple of runs down to third man off the back foot. Can he reach three figures before stumps? Big appeal! Not out... That was a rather desperate one from Broad with the ball clearly high and going down. I think that's pretty much the first lbw appeal of the day! Williamson punches a couple more off the back foot. Four from the over.

83rd over: New Zealand 238-1 (Fulton 116, Williamson 79)

Anderson has Fulton on strike... He gets a thick outside edge down to third man for two.

Man of the hour: Peter Fulton made his maiden Test century on day one at Eden Park

82nd over: New Zealand 236-1 (Fulton 114, Williamson 79)

That's a bit more like it... Broad jags one back into Williamson off the seam, but they add a single with the inside edge. Fulton clips three through midwicket. Four from the over.

81st over: New Zealand 232-1 (Fulton 111, Williamson 78)

A well-rested James Anderson takes the new ball for England... Four! Byes given as one dies on Prior and gets through his defences - that's not a good sign with a new cherry. Nothing to encourage England there. Five from the over.

80th over: New Zealand 227-1 (Fulton 111, Williamson 77)

That's a tidy little maiden from Root around the wicket to Fulton and it's time for the new ball...

79th over: New Zealand 227-1 (Fulton 111, Williamson 77)

The sun is creeping back out now in Auckland as Trott bowls probably his last over of the day. Singles for each batsman make it two from the over.

On the pull: Kane Williamson plays the ball into the leg side

78th over: New Zealand 225-1 (Fulton 110, Williamson 76)

Joe Root comes in to bowl his off spinners to give Monty a breather... He'll come around the wicket to Williamson. Four! Williamson has time to move back in his crease and punch the ball back past the bowler. He'll keep the strike again with a single to mid off.

77th over: New Zealand 220-1 (Fulton 110, Williamson 71)

Four! Short from Trott and Williamson has all day to rock back and pull through square leg. A drive through the off side is half-stopped and Williamson will keep the strike with the single.

76th over: New Zealand 215-1 (Fulton 110, Williamson 66)

Williamson works Panesar into the leg side for a single. Just the one run from the over.

So near yet so far: Monty Panesar had a day to forget

75th over: New Zealand 214-1 (Fulton 110, Williamson 65)

Jonathan Trott comes in to bowl a couple of overs of his medium-pacers before the new ball. Fulton is watchful. Maiden.

74th over: New Zealand 214-1 (Fulton 110, Williamson 65)

Panesar to continue... Five singles come from the over - one from a rare misfield by England and Jonny Bairstow at mid off.

73rd over: New Zealand 209-1 (Fulton 108, Williamson 62)

Broad to continue his spell with the new ball not far away... Cook has really held Anderson back since the morning and England will be praying he can skittle a couple with the new cherry. Fulton carves out a single to mid on. That will be drinks as the ball is changed (it's not a new one - England were unhappy with the old one and the umpires agreed, so we'll swap it for a similarly worn one for these last eight overs until the new ball is due).

72nd over: New Zealand 208-1 (Fulton 107, Williamson 62)

Shot! Short from Panesar and Williamson dispatches him through midwicket. Four! Another boundary for the little Kiwi this time with the cut as Monty drops it short again. Another tired delivery from Panesar brings Williamson two more with the cut. Ten from the over.

Struggling: England were made to work all day in Eden Park

71st over: New Zealand 198-1 (Fulton 107, Williamson 52)

Broad into the second over his spell. Williamson takes the single. He's played within himself today but looks very composed still. Broad comes around the wicket to Fulton to no avail. One from the over.

70th over: New Zealand 197-1 (Fulton 107, Williamson 51)

Panesar is milked for a couple of singles... No doubt England are eyeing that new ball now. It's all gone very flat out there.

6th over: New Zealand 195-1 (Fulton 106, Williamson 50)

Broad replaces Finn for England. Agonising screams from Broad as Williamson gets an inside edge on a potential lbw appeal. Maiden.

68th over: New Zealand 195-1 (Fulton 106, Williamson 50)

Panesar trots in once more... England can't buy a wicket. Their only hope looks like an error from one of these two and they have not been forthcoming for along while. Maiden.

Accumulating: Kane Williamson piled on the runs on day one

67th over: New Zealand 195-1 (Fulton 106, Williamson 50)

Fulton is able to pull Finn for a single as he continues to accumulate. Four! Williamson comes out of his shell with a well-timed pull through midwicket. Shot! Short again from Finn and this time there's room on the off side to cut square for four and bring up a controlled 50.

66th over: New Zealand 186-1 (Fulton 105, Williamson 42)

Panesar to Williamson now... That'll be a maiden.

65th over: New Zealand 186-1 (Fulton 105, Williamson 42)

Four! Fulton top-edges a pull off Finn and the ball flies over the keeper to the short boundary. Finn comes around the wicket to Fulton, who tucks him round the corner for a single. Williamson will keep the strike with a single to square leg.

64th over: New Zealand 180-1 (Fulton 100, Williamson 41)

Williamson punches Monty through the off side for a single to bring Fulton on strike... Hundred for Fulton! He brings it up with a single to mid on - that's his maiden Test ton at the age of 34.

Ton up: Fulton salutes the crowd as he reaches three figures

63rd over: New Zealand 178-1 (Fulton 99, Williamson 40)

Fulton then, on 99... He middles into the ground and straight to Bairstow at cover... and again! Maiden from Finn.

62nd over: New Zealand 178-1 (Fulton 99, Williamson 40)

Panesar to Williamson. You suspect the spinner will stay on until the new ball arrives in 18 overs time. Maiden. The clouds are rolling in...

61st over: New Zealand 178-1 (Fulton 99, Williamson 40)

Finn will bowl to Williamson with a defensive field... Close! Williamson has a flirt at a short one. He pulls a single into the leg side. Four! Fulton moves on to 99 with a pull through midwicket. A dot off the last means he will have to wait.

60th over: New Zealand 173-1 (Fulton 95, Williamson 39)

Full toss from Panesar first up to Fulton but the big man misses out. Monty tightens it up after that and it's a maiden.

Closing in: Fulton was looking for a maiden Test ton

TEA ON DAY ONE: NEW ZEALAND 173-1

2.11am: England were put to the sword in that session, with no wickets coming for the concession of 94 runs. I'll be back at 2.30am for the evening session to see if Peter Fulton can reach his century.

Sportsmail's Paul Newman in Auckland: 'That's a chastening session for England. There just isn't any life in this wicket I'm afraid and David Saker's point about low, slow pitches being bad for Test cricket as a spectacle is looking very apt again. Could England have bowled any better? Possibly. This is the third of three back to back Tests and perhaps the seamers are feeling the strain now. And Monty Panesar just doesn't look like making any sort of impact, similar to Wellington. One thing you have to say is well played Peter Fulton. This is a man who was averaging 21 before this series and had not played Test cricket for four years. He was expected to be a walking wicket, to be honest, but now he's five away from a maiden Test hundred. He will deserve it if he gets there and can look forward to touring England in May. England, meanwhile, need wickets otherwise we will be looking at this as one of the great bowling first captaincy cock-ups.'

59th over: New Zealand 173-1 (Fulton 95, Williamson 39)

Finn will bring a painful session fro England to a close - he has Williamson on strike. Better pace from Finn but still no sign of a wicket. Maiden.

58th over: New Zealand 173-1 (Fulton 95, Williamson 39)

Panesar has Williamson on strike with tea approaching. Fulton is brought on strike as Williamson works one through the off side. Fulton sees off the last two - we should have time for one more.

Handy work: Matt Prior field the ball behind the stumps

57th over: New Zealand 172-1 (Fulton 95, Williamson 38)

Finn to Fulton... Shot! Finn strays onto Fulton's pads and he times it perfectly through mid on for four.

56th over: New Zealand 168-1 (Fulton 91, Williamson 38)

Fulton moves into the nervous 90s with a single to long on. Williamson punches a single of his own to mid off... and Fulton will keep the strike after making it three from Panesar's over. He's got about 10 minutes before tea to try and reach his century.

55th over: New Zealand 165-1 (Fulton 89, Williamson 37)

Fulton then just 12 runs away from his maiden Test ton - Finn has the ball in hand. Fulton falls over his stumps but is saved by an inside edge into the leg side. Just one from the over.

54th over: New Zealand 164-1 (Fulton 88, Williamson 37)

Panesar continues his lengthy spell, with Williamson on strike this time. He can't get the spinner away. Maiden.

Long day: Alastair Cook's decision to bowl is looking questionable

53rd over: New Zealand 164-1 (Fulton 88, Williamson 37)

Fulton on strike to Finn... Four! Finn's speeds are still well down and Fulton had all day to pull through square leg there. Four from the over.

52nd over: New Zealand 160-1 (Fulton 84, Williamson 37)

Monty to Fulton once more. He pushes an easy single down the ground to bring Williamson on strike to the spinner - incredibly for the first time today. Williamson dances down the track an inside-edges Panesar into the leg side for two, that wasn't pretty. Three from the over.

51st over: New Zealand 157-1 (Fulton 83, Williamson 35)

Finn comes back into the attack and is immediately driven through the covers by Williamson - Bell hunts it down though and restricts them to two runs. Fulton has his highest Test score now, by the way. Two from the over.

50th over: New Zealand 155-1 (Fulton 83, Williamson 33)

Four! Fulton finally breaks the scoring duck with an agricultural mow over midwicket. The ball was in the air for an age but there's no fielder out there. Four! He's caught that one better... Six!!! Suddenly it's raining boundaries here as Fulton goes on the attack. Fourteen from Panesar's over - welcome relief after four maidens on the bounce.

On the attack: Fulton clobbered a few sixes in the afternoon session

49th over: New Zealand 141-1 (Fulton 69, Williamson 33)

Broad continues his spell... Another set of six goes by without a run, that's four maidens in a row now!

48th over: New Zealand 141-1 (Fulton 69, Williamson 33)

Another maiden from Panesar makes it three in a row. No signs of frustration from the Kiwi pair though who both look very comfortable at the crease.

47th over: New Zealand 141-1 (Fulton 69, Williamson 33)

Broad gets another go at Williamson. This has turned out to be a fine day for batting. It's another much-needed maiden after that flurry of runs.

46th over: New Zealand 141-1 (Fulton 69, Williamson 33)

Panesar continues to the giant Fulton... Six dots, or a maiden to you and I.

Missing out: Hamish Rutherford's was the only wicket to fall in the morning session

45th over: New Zealand 141-1 (Fulton 69, Williamson 33)

A Williamson single brings Fulton on strike to Broad... Well done Monty! That looked like a four for all the world as Panesar ungainly scurried after Fulton's cover drive but he just clawed it back from the rope - three runs. Four! More runs for Williamson through third man - off the back foot and quite deliberately this time. Two more are then punched through the same region to make it 10 from Broad's over.

44th over: New Zealand 131-1 (Fulton 66, Williamson 27)

Panesar to continue to Fulton... Four! Short from Monty and Fulton rocks back and pulls him through square leg.

43rd over: New Zealand 127-1 (Fulton 62, Williamson 27)

Broad steams in once more... Shot! Another exquisite straight drive from Williamson for four. Williamson looks very, very good. That will be drinks and it's another good hour for the Black Caps.

Kane's able: Williamson dives home into his ground

42nd over: New Zealand 123-1 (Fulton 62, Williamson 23)

Panesar to Fulton once more - he has men catching at short cover and short extra cover. Signs of impatience from Fulton as he misses out on a heave through the leg side. Maiden.

41st over: New Zealand 123-1 (Fulton 62, Williamson 23)

Stuart Broad comes back into the attack for England - he has Williamson on strike. A good return from the seamer, that's a maiden.

40th over: New Zealand 123-1 (Fulton 62, Williamson 23)

Panesar to Fulton... He's changed his line to try and get Fulton reaching out into his weaker off side. Fulton edges two down to third man as smart fielding from Finn saves the boundary on the rope. A good response from Panesar.

Two-metre Peter: Fulton plays into the leg side

39th over: New Zealand 121-1 (Fulton 60, Williamson 23)

Anderson will continue after a long discussion between himself and Cook... Four! Leg stump from Anderson and the classy Williamson dispatches him through midwicket. Anderson bangs one in but Williamson has all day to pull him through the leg side for two more. Six from the over.

38th over: New Zealand 115-1 (Fulton 60, Williamson 17)

Panesar to Fulton once more... Six! The fourth maximum of the innings comes as Fulton lofts Panesar over midwicket. Lots of head-scratching going out in the middle from the England fielders. Another expensive over.

37th over: New Zealand 109-1 (Fulton 54, Williamson 17)

Four! Thick outside edge from Williamson but he plays it with soft hands and the ball squirts away between second slip and gully. Shot! A beautiful drive down the ground from Williamson brings up a second boundary from Anderson's over. Four! Anderson is furious as another one squirts away off Williamson's edge through the vacant third man region. Twelve from that over.

36th over: New Zealand 97-1 (Fulton 54, Williamson 5)

Monty Panesar comes back into the attack for England. No turn whatsoever for him so far, and he got some tap from Rutherford. He's got two right-handers on strike now though. Four! Too straight from Monty and Fulton belts him through midwicket.

Broad appeal: The England seamer poses the question to the umpires

35th over: New Zealand 93-1 (Fulton 50, Williamson 5)

Anderson has Williamson on strike this time... He's happy to block. Maiden.

34th over: New Zealand 93-1 (Fulton 50, Williamson 5)

Finn to continue his spell... Shot! Fulton brings up his 50 punching Finn through mid on for four runs. Finn responds well a well-aimed bouncer. Four from the over.

33rd over: New Zealand 89-1 (Fulton 46, Williamson 5)

Fulton beats the man at extra cover to drive two runs. Anderson looks the most likely of the England bowlers at the minute, but Fulton seems to have learned where his off stump is now. Fulton will keep the strike with a single down to fine leg.

32nd over: New Zealand 86-1 (Fulton 43, Williamson 5)

Finn to continue... Williamson looks very solid already. That's a maiden from the England quick.

Spin king: Monty Panesar was given an early bowl by Alastair Cook

31st over: New Zealand 86-1 (Fulton 43, Williamson 5)

Fulton drives Anderson square for two runs to edge nearer to his 50. Bit of needle from Anderson as he throws the ball back at Fulton's pads after the big man plays a forward defensive. Two from that over.

30th over: New Zealand 84-1 (Fulton 41, Williamson 5)

Steven Finn takes the ball from the other end. Four! Williamson slashes a cut over the slips for his first boundary of the day. If the speed gun is to be believed, Finn's pace is well down at just 80mph. Four from the over.

29th over: New Zealand 80-1 (Fulton 41, Williamson 1)

Williamson on strike to the returning Anderson in the first over of the afternoon session... He punches a single into the off side to get off the mark. Just one from the over. The sun is really beating down in Auckland now.

LUNCH ON DAY ONE: NEW ZEALAND 79-1

11.35pm: England will be relieved with that wicket but they'll need a few more in the afternoon to justify the decision to bowl first. I'll be back at 12.10am (GMT, of course).

Breakthrough: England celebrate the first wicket of the Test

Sportsmail's Paul Newman in Auckland: 'How England needed that wicket! Before then this match reminded me of the 1997 Test here when England were expected to take early wickets batting first and failed to take any during the first session. A certain David Lloyd, then the England coach, was spotted pacing round the back of the pavilion because he couldn't face his bowlers! This time England have bowled okay but it's a very flat pitch again I'm afraid, with little of the bounce we had here for the one-day international. So was Alastair Cook wrong to bowl first? Well I wouldn't say that just yet because these drop-in pitches do seem to get better as the match goes on. I'm afraid it could well be a case of more hard graft for the bowlers, particularly because of these absurdly short straight boundaries. But the weather is set fair this time so five days should be enough to get a result. All to play for!'

28th over: New Zealand 79-1 (Fulton 41, Williamson 0)

Monty Panesar will bowl the last over before lunch - Fulton is on strike.

27th over: New Zealand 79-1 (Fulton 41, Williamson 0)

Kane Williamson is the man in at No 3 with two balls left of Finn's over... He survives. Wicket maiden.

Finn when you're winning: The England seamer celebrates removing Rutherford

WICKET! Rutherford c Cook b Finn 37

Finally! Rutherford has another waft and Cook holds on to the edge high above his head - a smart catch. Just before lunch and just what the doctor ordered.

27th over: New Zealand 79-0 (Fulton 41, Rutherford 37)

Finn to Rutherford... Close! He has a waft at a wide one but the ball beats the edge.

26th over: New Zealand 79-0 (Fulton 41, Rutherford 37)

Panesar to Rutherford - can he come back at him after those two sixes? He tucks a single behind square. Fulton resist the temptation to attack the spinner and it's just one from the over.

25th over: New Zealand 78-0 (Fulton 41, Rutherford 36)

Back comes Finn with lunch fast approaching... Four! Fulton glances one down to fine leg for yet another boundary. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but Cook's decision to bat is starting to look rather foolhardy now. Four from the over.

Defiant stand: Fulton and Rutherford put on 79 for the first wicket

24th over: New Zealand 74-0 (Fulton 37, Rutherford 36)

Six! This Rutherford cashes in, belting Panesar over the long off boundary... Close! Bell nearly snaffles that one at short leg but the ball bounces just before him. Six!!! Rutherford again hammers Monty back over his head for a maximum... 12 from that over.

23rd over: New Zealand 62-0 (Fulton 37, Rutherford 24)

Broad is punched through the off side by Rutherford for a single. Six! Fulton top-edges a pull and it just clears the rope for the first maximum of the Test. He finds the gap in the field with the drive to pick up another single. Rutherford eases a single of his won through the off side to make it nine from the over... To give you and idea just how short the boundaries are here, that six from Fulton travelled just 52 metres!

22nd over: New Zealand 53-0 (Fulton 30, Rutherford 22)

It's time for Monty... Cook may be regretting bowling first but I bet he's glad he didn't pick four seamers. Rutherford tucks a single fine. He will keep the strike.

Up and over: Rutherford launches Panesar back over his head for six

21st over: New Zealand 52-0 (Fulton 30, Rutherford 21)

Shot! I've been critical of Fulton so far today so I've got to praise for that textbook on drive. Appeal! Reiffel says not out and Cook won't review it - big inside edge there. Four from Broad's latest set of six.

20th over: New Zealand 48-0 (Fulton 26, Rutherford 21)

Finn continues his spell with Rutherford on strike once more... Nice technique from Rutherford with the drive but it only brings two as Bairstow tracks it down. Another two are then clipped through midwicket to make it four from Finn's over.

19th over: New Zealand 44-0 (Fulton 26, Rutherford 17)

Fulton helps himself to another single into the leg side off Broad this time. Shot! Rutherford makes the most of the short boundaries at Eden Park and cuts one over the slips (quite deliberately) for four runs. Three more come Rutherford's way as he eases a drive through the covers. Eight from that over - the most expensive of the innings so far.

Plenty to ponder: Finn (left) and Broad both went wicketless through the morning

18th over: New Zealand 36-0 (Fulton 25, Rutherford 10)

Finn to continue... Fulton clips a single to square leg. Better from Rutherford after that wobble in Finn's last set of six. One from the over.

17th over: New Zealand 35-0 (Fulton 24, Rutherford 10)

Anderson is given a breather for the first time as Broad comes back into the attack. Fulton mistimes a drive through the covers for two. He adds one more to mid on... Somehow Fulton has got to 24 without looking anywhere near as comfortable as his opening partner. Close! Broad squares Rutherford up and he nearly edges a flashy cut through to Prior. Three from the over.

16th over: New Zealand 32-0 (Fulton 21, Rutherford 10)

Finn takes us into the second hour of the day... Fulton clips a single into the leg side. Close! Rutherford has a swing and a miss outside off... And again! Decent stuff from Finn, is Rutherford rattled from that whack he took from Anderson? Just the single from the over.

15th over: New Zealand 31-0 (Fulton 20, Rutherford 10)

Anderson now into the eighth over of his opening spell - Rutherford is on strike. Ouch! Rutherford tries to sway out of the way of a short one but it swings back in and whacks him in the grill of his helmet. That's a maiden and that will be drinks. New Zealand will be very happy with that first hour.

No joy: England couldn't make the breakthrough in the first hour

14th over: New Zealand 31-0 (Fulton 20, Rutherford 10)

Finn has the left-handed Rutherford on strike. Ironic cheers go up from the crowd as Panesar saves a boundary down at fine leg. Appeal! Tucker rightly says no - that clipped Fulton's pad and not his inside edge going down the leg side. Four! This time Fulton connects and clips the ball over square leg to the rope. Five from the over.

13th over: New Zealand 26-0 (Fulton 16, Rutherford 9)

Rutherford punches Anderson to mid off for a single. Close! Fulton has a flirt outside off again but he gets a thick edge and it flies past Joe Root third slip for four. Fulton looks very ordinary outside off but he survives that over - five from it.

12th over: New Zealand 21-0 (Fulton 12, Rutherford 8)

Finn to Fulton now... Four! Width on offer for the right-hander and Fulton flashes a cut through point. Four from Finn's over - there's very little in this pitch for the seamers other than a bit of bounce.

Eyes on the ball: Rutherford clips one through the leg side

11th over: New Zealand 17-0 (Fulton 8, Rutherford 8)

Anderson has Rutherford on strike. That's a maiden as Anderson persists with a leg-stump line to the left-hander.

10th over: New Zealand 17-0 (Fulton 8, Rutherford 8)

In comes Steven Finn for England as they continue their search for this opening wicket. He enjoyed himself here in the one-day series but has been surprisingly quiet so far in the Test series. A leg bye is added off Rutherford's pads to fine leg.

9th over: New Zealand 16-0 (Fulton 8, Rutherford 8)

Rutherford just manages to drop his hands in time as Anderson continues to probe away. Rutherford takes the single to mid off. Just one from the over.

8th over: New Zealand 15-0 (Fulton 8, Rutherford 7)

Strangled appeal as Fulton gets an inside edge onto his pads off Broad. Four! Leg stump half volley from Broad and Fulton clips it away for his first boundary.

Ideal conditions: Fans settle down for a full day's cricket

7th over: New Zealand 11-0 (Fulton 4, Rutherford 7)

Anderson continues his spell. I wonder how long it will be before Cook throws the ball to Finn? Oof! Fulton doesn't half play some ugly shots at times... he misses the edge again though and they scamper a single off the final ball of Anderson's over.

6th over: New Zealand 10-0 (Fulton 3, Rutherford 7)

Broad now into his third over... Fulton tucks him behind square for one. Rutherford does the same but picks up two. Three from that over - this looks a decent pitch.

5th over: New Zealand 7-0 (Fulton 2, Rutherford 5)

Shot! Rutherford really is a lovely driver of a ball and he creams that one back past Anderson for the first boundary of the innings. Good response from Anderson though beating the outside edge with the very next ball. Four from the over.

4th over: New Zealand 3-0 (Fulton 2, Rutherford 1)

Close! Fulton looked very ungainly there dangling his bat outside off but the ball misses the edge. Another maiden.

Steaming in: James Anderson opened the bowling for England at Eden Park

3rd over: New Zealand 3-0 (Fulton 2, Rutherford 1)

Anderson to Rutherford now, and he's got a man in at bat pad - the Kiwi opener struggled off his hip in Wellington. Close! Anderson beats the outside edge. Rutherford regains focus and sees off the rest. Maiden.

2nd over: New Zealand 3-0 (Fulton 2, Rutherford 1)

Stuart Broad is given the new ball ahead of Steven Finn after his exploits in Wellington. Rutherford tucks him square for a single. Too far outside off from Broad to trouble Fulton - one from that one.

1st over: New Zealand 2-0 (Fulton 2, Rutherford 0)

Plenty of bounce to start with for Anderson... Oohs and aahs all round. Fulton gets New Zealand off the mark with a couple clipped through square leg. Anderson can't tempt Fulton with a line wide of off and it's two from the over.

Opening up: Fulton and Rutherford (right) head out to the middle

9.29pm: The players are out in the middle in Eden Park and we're ready to go. Jimmy Anderson will open as ever for England...

9.16pm: And Paul Newman has the latest on Kevin Pietersen's knee injury here.

9.15pm: Read Alastair Cook's pre-match comments here...

9.13pm: A bit of reading for you to get your teeth into before we get under way at 9.30pm... Former England captain Nasser Hussain's exclusive Sportsmail column is here.

9.05pm: Cook calls heads and makes no hesitation in bowling on this green-top. He has resisted the temptation to use four seamers though, with Monty Panesar given the nod ahead of Chris Woakes and Graham Onions. Jonny Bairstow - as confirmed by Cook yesterday - comes in for the injured Kevin Pietersen. New Zealand are unchanged after impressive showings in the first two Tests.

ENGLAND HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BOWL

9pm: Good evening all. It's now or never for England in this series. New Zealand have been plucky but let's be honest: Alastair Cook's side really should be beating the Black Caps - and this is their final chance.

Final chance: The series remains deadlocked at 0-0 after two Tests

Team news Jonny Bairstow will replace the injured Kevin Pietersen in the final Test against New Zealand at Eden Park, England captain Alastair Cook confirmed.

England must go into the series decider on Friday without Pietersen, who is to fly home because of an injury in his right knee from which he will take at least six to eight weeks to recover.

Pietersen made the trip to watch England fine-tune their preparations in a net session, after which Cook spoke of his disappointment that the mercurial batsman is unavailable and his hope that Bairstow can rise to the occasion.

Apart from their one enforced change, England are thought likely to stick with the players who drew the first two Tests in Dunedin and Wellington.

Their opponents have to decide whether to accommodate Doug Bracewell, after just one comeback match for Central Districts as he seeks to prove he has recovered from his foot injury.

England take part in a fielding drill at Eden Park