Kane Williamson made the record with the fourth ball of the day. He is now New Zealand's highest run-scorer in Tests, surpassing Ross Taylor. But it was after that that Williamson made the key contribution on the fourth day of the Wellington Test.
The record-making innings turned into a century and gave the team a good collection in the second innings, Tom Blundell also provided great support. Williamson's 132 and Blundell's 90 in two innings have set England a target of 258 runs.
England ended the fourth day with 48 for 1 after losing opener Jack Crawley. 210 more runs needed on the last day to win.
After taking a first innings lead of 226 runs, England sent New Zealand to the follow-on on the third day. On that day, the Kiwis scored 202 runs for 3 wickets. Kiwis scored 281 runs on the fourth day today. The way Williamson and Blundell were playing, the collection could have been higher.
Williamson, who was unbeaten on 25 the day before, became New Zealand's highest scorer by hitting Stuart Broad for four in the first over of the fourth day. Taylor was at the top till now with 7 thousand 683 runs after playing 112 Tests. Williamson passed him in the 92nd Test.
The former New Zealand captain later surpassed Australia's Justin Langer (7696), England's Ian Bell (7727) and Mike Atherton (7728).
Williamson put on a 75-run stand with Daryl Mitchell despite Will Young getting out at the start of the day. Blundell tied the pair when Mitchell Stewart Broad fell victim to 54 runs off 54 balls.
It was this pair that made New Zealand's second innings run four hundred. Blundell brought up his second fifty of the series, Williamson's first century. New Zealand were 455 when Williamson was caught by Ben Foakes off Harry Brooke for his 26th Test century. Blundell, still on the wicket, was also racing towards a century. However, the collapse started with Michael Bracewell's run out, and New Zealand lost the last 4 wickets within 5 runs. Blundell scored 90 off 166 balls before falling to Jack Leach as the last batsman.
Left-arm spinner Leach took 5 wickets for 157 runs for England.
Crawley-Ben Duckett scored 39 runs in the opening pair as England set out to win by 258 runs. Duckett spent the rest of the day with Ollie Robinson when Crawley was bowled by Tim Southee for 24 off 30 balls.