Blackcaps wicketkeeper BJ Watling has become the first batsman to score a test century at New Zealand's newest venue - Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval.
The Kiwi battler achieved his eighth test hundred on Saturday evening, as New Zealand built a lead over England in the opening encounter of their two-test series.
At stumps the Blackscaps were 394/6, which represents a 41-run lead and quite the recovery from 24-hours earlier.
Arriving at the crease with his team poised at 127/4 on Friday evening, Watling built a century partnership with all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme on Saturday morning and eventually reached his milestone off 251 balls, featuring 12 boundaries.
By the time he raised his bat to celebrate, he had carried New Zealand into the lead, overhauling England's 353 first-innings total. After striking a pair of fours to rocket through the nervous 90s, he scampered through for a single to reach 100.
The occasion marked Watling's second consecutive international ton - he scored 105 not out in Sri Lanka in August, when he was named Man of the Series. He became the first wicketkeeper to score back-to-back centuries.
This match marks the test debut for Bay Oval, which becomes New Zealand's ninth international five-day ground, behind Eden Park (Auckland), Seddon Park (Hamilton), McLean Park (Napier), Basin Reserve (Wellington), Lancster Park and Hagley Oval (Christchurch), and Carisbrook and University Oval (Dunedin).
Resuming on the 144/4 on Saturday morning, New Zealand lost Heny Nicholls leg before wicket to England skipper Joe Root, but Watling and de Grandhomme wore down the attack before lunch, with the latter showing restrained beligerence at times.
But immediately after the interval, England all-rounder Ben Stokes lured de Grandhomme (65) into a false stroke that brought a catch from fielder Dom Sibley.
Spin-allrounder Mitch Santner (31no) survived some initial apprehension to provide an ideal foil for Watling, as he progressed to triple figures.
Santner was peppered with short-pitch attacks from Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes but battled hard, despite moments of discomfort. The pair ended the day with an unbeaten stand of 78 runs in a little over two hours at the crease together.
Watling will resume his innings 119no when play starts at 11am Sunday morning.
