The Black Caps bowlers capped a tough day in the field with a late flurry of wickets against Bangladesh in the first cricket Test in Mount Maunganui.

Bangladesh dominated most of day three to be 401-6 at stumps, with a 73-run lead over New Zealand's first innings total.

New Zealand's bowlers struggled to contain or dislodge the Bangladesh batters during the middle of the day's play at Bay Oval but made a late fightback through Trent Boult.

Neil Wagner picked up Mahmudul Hasan Joy early on day three. Joy added eight runs to his overnight score to be out for 78 in his second Test.

Wagner nearly had another wicket in the first hour of play, when captain Mominul Haque was given out on 9 but it was overturned because the fast bowler was deemed to have overstepped the line and bowled a no ball.

New Zealand took the new ball after Wagner picked up Joy and it took time for the Black Caps to make another breakthrough.

Boult took his first wicket of the match when he removed Mushfiqur Rahim's middle stump before lunch.

The start of the second session of the day did not go New Zealand's way as the Bangladesh batters scored at nearly five runs an over and quickly reduced the deficit to New Zealand's first innings total of 328.

Mominul made the most of his let-off and pushed on to score 50 off 147 balls and Liton Das also brought up a half century before tea, scoring his milestone off 93 balls.

Bangladesh passed New Zealand's first innings score in the 125th over of their innings with time left to bat in the day.

After drinks in the final session Mominul was out for 88 as Boult finally took his second wicket.

Mominul and Das' fifth wicket partnership lasted 158 runs - the biggest partnership from either team so far in the Test.

Das did not last much longer before he became Boult's third wicket.

Das was out for 86 off 177 balls to expose the Bangladesh tailenders in the final hour of the day.

Bangladesh will resume with Mehidy Hasan on 20 and Yasir Ali on 11 on Tuesday for the penultimate day of the Test.

RNZ.