DAY 3: Rain delays day three start to NZ-England third test

Rain delayed the start to day three of the third test between New Zealand and England on Monday, with the hosts holding a 340-run advantage.

Steady overnight rain continued into the morning, forcing match officials to leave the covers on the Seddon Park pitch.

New Zealand forged a strong position on day two, dismissing England for 143 to be 204 runs ahead on the first innings.

By stumps, the home side had reached 136 for three in their second innings, with Kane Williamson on 50 and Rachin Ravindra on two.

The weather forecast is for the rain to clear on Monday afternoon and for some play to be possible.

England have already wrapped up the three-match series, leading 2-0 after emphatic wins in Christchurch and Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham (capt), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O'Rourke.

ENGLAND: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Shoaib Bashir.