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Wicketkeeper BJ Watling made his second half century in successive days as New Zealand again had to bounce back from a shaky start against Derbyshire.

The hosts began day two on 24-1 but were skittled for 154 in 52 overs as Kiwi seamer Doug Bracewell took 4-28.

Leading by 135 on first innings, the tourists lost Test openers Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford cheaply again.

Kane Williamson (49), Watling (61 not out) and Tom Latham (47 not out) took them to 199-5, a lead of 334.

An early declaration on the final day may allow the Black Caps to chase victory - but there will be some concerns about the form of their top-order batsmen as the second innings followed the same pattern as the first, with stand-in skipper Williamson and then Watling digging them out of potential trouble.

Four of the top five - Fulton (3), Rutherford (0), Martin Guptill (8) and Dean Brownlie (8) - could only make 19 between them in the second innings as Derbyshire's second-string opening attack of Mark Footitt and Alasdair Evans impressed again.

Williamson, leading the side following Brendon McCullum's return from the Indian Premier League, fell short of a half century for the second time when he was bowled by Peter Burgoyne.

However, Watling and Latham shared an unbroken century stand for the fifth wicket to leave the tourists in charge.

Earlier, Bracewell - who missed the recent Test series down under against England after cutting his foot on some glass - was the pick of the bowlers as he pressed his claim for a Test place.

However, his likely rival for the third seamer's Test spot, Neil Wagner, was not far behind, taking 3-33 while left-arm spinner Bruce Martin enjoyed an economical haul of 3-13 in 11 overs.

"I was looking forward to the previous series and I felt my form was pretty good going in so I was gutted," explained Bracewell.

"There was a few stories but I just stood on a piece of glass while I was cleaning up. I had a few mates round the night before and it happened in the morning.

"It was pretty bad luck - a silly little thing like that to make you miss three Tests, important Tests, is pretty annoying.

"Neil's come in and taken wickets so credit to him but every game you play, you're trying to prove a point. I'm pretty happy with my performance, it was good to get some overs under my belt."