England finally found a breakthrough through part-time spinner Jacob Bethell. After claiming three wickets in New Zealand’s first innings, Bethell scored once more by trapping Ravindra lbw for 76 off 99 balls.
Ravindra’s innings contained 60 runs in boundaries and put New Zealand under firm control before his dismissal.
Nicholls continued untroubled to bring up his 11th Test century off 133 balls. The turning point came when he drove Bethell to the midwicket boundary for his 14th four.
The hundred was his second against England and follows his unbeaten 150 against Zimbabwe last August, giving him back-to-back Test centuries.
Taking off his helmet, Nicholls greeted the crowd with applause before continuing his work.
He then combined with Daryl Mitchell, unbeaten on 32, in an unbroken stand worth 63 runs. Nicholls finished the day unbeaten on 119 off 164 deliveries.
