Henry Nicholls, recalled by New Zealand to replace retired great Kane Williamson, has smacked an unbeaten century against England to help boost their lead to a formidable 352 on day three of the second Test at the Oval.

The Black Caps were 3-252 in their second innings at stumps on Friday, after earning a hefty 100-run first innings lead by dismissing England for 291 on the stroke of lunch.

Nicholls reached stumps on 119 and featured on a blue sky day with Rachin Ravindra, out for 76. They first steadied the innings, rebuilt it, then flayed England after tea.

Their partnership of 161 from 201 balls is New Zealand's highest ever at the Oval.

New Zealand must win the match to set up a series decider in the third Test in Nottingham next week, and with seven wickets still in hand, they'll be looking to impose a 500-run lead before unleashing their rested pace attack.

Nicholls only landed in London only last Sunday to fill the shoes of New Zealand's highest run-scorer Williamson.

"His retirement was a bit of a shock to everyone," said Nichols. "I've been lucky enough to play a lot of my cricket with Kane. I wasn't ever going to be able to replace him. I just really enjoyed being back in Test cricket, you want to contribute."

Nicholls walked out at 1-8 in the third over to face fast bowler Jofra Archer hitting 90mph-plus speeds. He lost Devon Conway soon after, but dug in with Ravindra in the sunshine.

Ravindra, looking to attack, was dropped on seven by debutant wicketkeeper James Rew, a tough, low chance that spilled out of his left glove.

After tea, the Kiwi pair flicked a switch. Nicholls was first to 50, off 72 balls, followed by Ravindra, off 79, for his first fifty against England.

Only when captain Joe Root gave the ball to part-time slow left-armer Jacob Bethell did England started to stir.

Bethell had led with three wickets in the first innings, and in his first over he did it again when Ravindra missed an attempted sweep and was out lbw for 76 off 99 balls.

Nicholls raised his hundred 20 minutes later off 133 balls, smashing Bethell to the midwicket fence for his 14th boundary.

His 11th Test century in his 59th Test was also his second against England.

Together with Daryl Mitchell, 32 not out, the pair then scored 63 off the day's last 86 balls without drama.

In the morning, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry had claimed a five-wicket haul thanks to three sharp catches by Tom Latham, keeper Tom Blundell incredibly up at the stumps, and Nathan Smith while falling backwards.

Henry took 5-80, his seventh five-fer in Tests and sixth in his last 12.

At 9-238, England were revived by No.9 batter Matthew Fisher, in his second Test, and No. 11 Sonny Baker, on debut. Fisher, who finished 50 not out off 77 balls, led with 48 of their 53 runs together, while Baker resisted 35 deliveries for his four.