New Zealand opener Peter Fulton has admitted that relief was his overriding emotion following his first Test century that he scored on day one of the third Test against England.

The 34-year-old had been out of the Test side since 2009 and had never reached 100, but seven years after making his Black Caps debut he helped his side take control of the Test as they moved on to 250-1.

"A mixture of excitement and relief is a good way of putting it," Fulton told reporters.

"If I'm being honest I probably wondered at the start of this season if I'd get another chance to try to get a Test hundred. So I've just tried to enjoy my cricket and be nice and positive and take it as it comes and not get too caught up in what's happened in the past and disappointments I've had along the way.

"Once you've been in and out of the team a few times you get to that stage where you might have had your last chance. I think I knew I was good enough, but at the back of my mind was always that thing of 'if I don't get another chance, I'm not going to be able to prove that I am good enough. Thankfully that wasn't the case."

The second day gets started at 9.30pm GMT.