England resume on 378 for five, a lead of 533 when the third day of the second cricket test starts against New Zealand in Wellington

Joe Root is 73 and Ben Stokes is 35.

A monumental task awaits New Zealand regardless of whenever England declare or are dismissed.

Overcast conditions and a brisk nor' wester await with the forecast rain for today now pushed out until this evening.

However, here are some numbers to bear in mind

The highest fourth innings score was 654 for five by England against South Africa at Durban on the 10th day of the drawn timeless test in 1939.

New Zealand's best effort came via 451 in the 98-run defeat at Christchurch in 2002, otherwise known as the occasion Nathan Astle unleashed 222.

The biggest chase to win a test was the West Indies 418 for seven against Australia at Antigua in 2003.