/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F13%2F10%2Fjames-anderson-england.jpg "England vs. New Zealand - First Test, day two - as it happened")
New Zealand made steady progress on day two of the first Test against England as both sides competed for control on Friday at Lord's.
England were hoping for a better batting performance than the one that was seen on Thursday but wickets fell at regular intervals and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 232, with Jonny Bairstow hitting 41.
New Zealand's reply started nervously as James Anderson removed Hamish Rutherford before dismissing Peter Fulton to claim his 300th Test wicket.
Ross Taylor's fluent 66 helped the Kiwis to recover but a late fightback from England reduced the tourists to 153-4 when bad light stopped play.
Read below to see how day two unfolded at Lord's.
6.55pmThis game really is delicately poised at the moment and we'll have a better idea of who is the favourite tomorrow evening. Join me for live coverage at 10.30am. Goodbye.
6.48pmCLOSE OF PLAY: It's official. That's the end of day two at Lord's. New Zealand continue to grow in confidence but in truth, they're not too far ahead of England at the moment. The hosts need quick wickets tomorrow morning.
6.47pmSaturday will be vital for both sides. The forecast for the weekend doesn't look great but if New Zealand can secure a first innings lead, they will fancy their chances of forcing a victory.
6.44pmBrownlie's dismissal has changed things but New Zealand's bowlers have given their side the control. The Kiwis have batted confidently and are only 77 runs behind the hosts.
NZ 153-4Anderson leads the team off the field on a big day in his career. 300 Test wickets for the bowler but the day probably belongs to New Zealand.
NZ 153-4BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY: The umpires come together again to discuss the light and they decide the players should come off. It's not official yet but that will probably be the close of play too.
NZ 153-4Loose from Trott first ball but Williamson only collects a single with a pull to deep square-leg. McCullum clearly feels he can attack Trott as he flashes, and misses, at a wider ball.
NZ 152-4The umpires have told Cook that he should probably bowl spin with the light in its current condition. England's skipper responds by bringing on Trott, who will bowl his medium pace. The umpires seem to be happy with that change.
NZ 152-4Cook may just want Swann and Anderson to have another spell each before the close of play. Crucial 30 minutes of cricket for both sides. Uncomfortable moment for McCullum when he's hit in a sensitive area (yes, there) by Finn. Maiden over from the pace bowler and the umpires come together to discuss the fading light.
NZ 152-4England aren't happy with the ball but the umpires refuse to change it at the moment. Broad goes very full to McCullum, who digs the ball out and to safety. The New Zealand captain is off the mark with a push to mid-wicket and that's the only blemish on a good over from Broad.
NZ 151-4McCullum pushes his first ball straight to mid-off, he'll surely stick to his attacking style. Finn fires in a bouncer but the touring skipper ducks well. Guess what's back? Finn hits the stumps during his action and the umpire signals a no-ball, as the new rule states he must do. McCullum then gets off strike thanks to a leg-bye, two from the over. Finn mustn't let that no-ball bother him.
NZ 149-4Broad is back into the attack and Cook will be hoping for a better spell from his seamer. Williamson doesn't seem to have been rocked by Brownlie's departure as he flicks the ball through the leg-side for two runs.
NZ 147-4England were desperate for a wicket and Cook's decision to use a review was a wise choice. DRS shows the ball would have hit leg-stump so that's good work by Finn and Cook. Captain McCullum in next for the tourists.
NZ 147-4WICKET! BROWNLIE (23) LBW B FINN
NZ 147-3It's all a bit too easy for New Zealand at the moment as Williams crunches the ball through the off-side for another boundary. Finn keeps bowling short but I can't believe that it's what Cook wants at this stage. Good running from the Kiwis, with Williamson hurrying a single following a nudge into the leg-side. Big appeal for lbw from England and Cook decides to review the decision when it's given not out...
NZ 142-3Swann puts Williamson under big pressure early in the over but the batsman sneaks a single when the ball squirms past Root at short-leg. There's definitely some turn out there for Swann so it will be interesting to see how the pitch plays later in the game.
NZ 141-3New Zealand only trail by 91 runs and they look far more comfortable on this pitch than England did. Swann surely has a big role to play as the innings progresses.
NZ 141-3Williamson begins the over by punching Finn away for a single. The bowler is persisting with a shorter length but he's greeted by some great timing from Brownlie, who earns four through square-leg.
NZ 136-3Swann is back for a new spell and is immediately clipped away for a single by Williamson. The spinner delivers an absolutely beautiful delivery to burst through Brownlie's defence but the ball misses the stumps and races away for four byes. Really unlucky for Swann but it's a good over.
NZ 131-3Williamson shows his class on the back with a punch for three through the off-side. Finn is too short again later in the over and Brownlie finds the gap through third man to collect four runs.
NZ 124-3Anderson continues to look the most dangerous bowler, with Brownlie being forced to play outside off-stump. It's good defence though and Anderson completes a maiden, the 50th in this match.
NZ 124-3Swann's first spell comes to an end as Finn comes on for a bowl. Brownlie nudges one away from his hip to fine leg before Williamson is close to being caught behind down the leg-side. No interest from the umpire but Hotspot suggests there may have been a touch on the bat. Williamson gets away with one and reacts by whipping the ball through mid-wicket for three. Brownlie will keep the strike though, due to a single from the final ball.
NZ 119-3Williamson, who currently has 27, lunges forward to Anderson and is perilously close to edging towards the slips. England's swing ace is still doing a little bit with the ball but not enough to break through the defence.
NZ 119-3Prior will be bitterly disappointed with that dropped catch. The wicket of Williamson could be key in this innings. He's looked tidy at the crease but at times England should have bowled better.
NZ 119-3Williamson picks the gap well at mid-off to pick up two runs early in Swann's over. He's off strike with a clip to deep square-leg for one run. Brownlie takes a risk by playing away from his body but he makes enough contact to pick out mid-wicket. Three from the over and it's time for a drinks break.
NZ 116-3Missed chance for England! You don't see Prior drop too many but he puts down a chance when Williamson edges behind off Anderson. Replays show it was a difficult chance but it should have been caught. Anderson persists with the same line and length, beating the outside edge again later in the over. Williamson will keep the strike thanks to a single on the leg-side from the final ball.
NZ 115-3Brownlie looks awkward early in Swann's over, with a prod falling just short of Root, who's in close. A thick edge from Brownlie races past slip but Finn does well in the deep to restrict the batsman to two runs.
NZ 113-3Groans of despair in the slips when a thick edge from Brownlie sails past a diving Bairstow at gully. Four runs for Brownlie but that was fortunate. Three more taken in the over by the Kiwis.
NZ 106-3Swann strikes the pad early in the over and considers a review with Cook and Prior but once again they resist the temptation and it's a good job too as the ball would have missed leg-stump. It's an uncomfortable over for Williamson, who struggles to contend with the sharp spin from Swann. The same batsman takes a single to square-leg before Brownlie adds another with a push past cover.
NZ 104-3Brownlie comes to the crease following that partnership of 93 for the third wicket. Anderson keeps the pressure on but the new arrival survives the remainder of the over and earns his first runs with four through the off-side.
NZ 100-3The change works immediately as Anderson traps Taylor lbw to give Aleem Dar an easy decision. Taylor walks off disappointed but that could be an important innings for the Kiwis.
NZ 100-3WICKET! TAYLOR (66) LBW B ANDERSON
NZ 100-2Broad's disappointing spell comes to an end, with Anderson being thrown the ball again.
NZ 100-2Williamson seems eager to get forward to Swann but there's some turn for the spinner. The batsman hurries a single to Broad at mid-off, with the fielder slow to react. Taylor misses a big turning delivery and there's a huge appeal for lbw. The appeal is rejected and Cook wisely decides against reviewing the decision. Taylor brings up the century for his side with a sweep to fine leg for three.
NZ 96-2Broad starts a new over by conceding a leg-bye, which brings Taylor on strike. Taylor edges the ball but it's short of the slips and races through the vacant third slip region for four runs. Good comeback from the bowler who gets one to rise and beat the outside edge this time. Broad ruins his good work when Taylor hammers a half-volley through the covers for four. That could be it for Broad.
NZ 87-2Swann mixes his pace in the over to force Taylor back before inviting the drive. The batsman wins this battle though as he drops to one knee to sweep over square-leg for four runs. Intriguing contest between those two. Just the boundary from the over.
NZ 83-2Broad continues and he's giving the ball more of a chance to swing now. Williamson looks very settled at the crease though as he knocks the ball to both sides of the wicket for no reward.
NZ 83-2Time for a change as Swann is given his first bowl of the day. He so often strikes in his first over, can he do it again? Taylor takes a couple of steps before pushing a single down the ground. Williamson leaves the ball just outside off-stump to encourage Swann before getting off strike with a run to deep mid-wicket. No wicket but a steady start from Swann.
NZ 81-2Broad is kept on by Cook but his spell could be coming to an end soon. Trott does well at third slip to stop a thick edge from Williamson. Too short again from Broad and he's rightly punished as Williamson punches the ball through point for four. Cook changes his field to offer Broad some protection on the off-side but this isn't good bowling. Four from the over.
NZ 77-2FIFTY! A thick edge from Taylor brings the batsman two runs and that's his half century, the first innings of its kind in the match. Anderson finds just enough swing to worry Taylor later in the over but the Kiwi doesn't chop the ball onto the stumps.
NZ 75-2Not good enough from Broad as Williamson fires a cut through point for four runs. Broad selects a better length for the remainder of the over but he can't tempt Williamson to play a false shot.
NZ 71-2Anderson is not happy with the ball early in his over but he does get one to come back towards the hip of Williamson. The bowler doesn't find enough bounce with a shorter ball and Williamson flicks the ball away for a single to keep the strike.
NZ 70-2Taylor has managed to look very fluent in his innings, reaching 48 from 48 balls.
NZ 70-2This pair have just reached 50 together and Taylor continues the good work with another cut shot for four runs. Broad gets his length right this time but it doesn't matter as Taylor drives perfectly for another boundary. Good response from Broad, who beats the outside edge with a great delivery. Taylor then moves two short of 50 with a second cover drive for four in the over.
NZ 58-2It's Anderson from the Pavilion End, where he took his two wickets earlier. Williamson loves a block and he shows us his defensive skill by playing out a maiden over. Cook might just be happy building pressure in the evening session.
NZ 58-2Too short and too wide from Broad and Taylor cashes in by cutting the ball to the rope for four runs. Much better from the England man as Taylor is saved from lbw by a thick inside edge. It's a good response from Broad, four from the over.
4.17pmThere's a long session ahead, with the players being forced to make up the time lost to rain yesterday. Broad is back into the attack.
4.16pmBoth sides are back out in the middle. England need to start this session well to make sure this partnership doesn't grow.
4.13pmHow long will it be before Cook turns to Graeme Swann? The spinner will be interested to see if he can get the ball to spin out of the foot marks left by Boult and Wagner.
4.09pmThere's a big session coming up for both sides. If New Zealand can continue to make good progress, with Taylor continuing to bat with the same positivity, then it will be a very good day for the Kiwis. England need wickets before the close of play and they'll want to have five or six by stumps.
4.04pmAnderson tells Sky Sports: "I'm delighted with the way that things have gone. It's huge & it's great that I could celebrate it with the guys.â€
4.00pmNot many bowlers take 300 Test wickets. James Anderson is not like most bowlers though. Everyone at Lord's got on their feet to applaud the swing ace and the reception was well deserved. It's not been an easy journey to 300 wickets but you do feel that Anderson has plenty more in his locker.
NZ 53-2TEA: New Zealand were under big pressure at 7-2 but the tourists have battled well to make it to tea without any other wickets falling. Taylor has looked in good form, reaching 32 and Williamson is currently unbeaten on 11.
NZ 53-2Good aggression from Finn as he surprises Taylor with a short ball that strikes the shoulder. Classy shot from Taylor brings up the half century for New Zealand, with the number four earning four through third man. There's one more single in the over and that's the end of the session.
NZ 49-2Williamson hammers a cut shot straight at Bairstow, who is placed at point. Anderson screams for lbw when he hits Williamson on the pads but the raise of the finger doesn't follow. The next delivery leaves Williamson very late but he survives again. Maiden over.
NZ 49-2Taylor is an attacking player and he shows his intentions when he cuts Finn over gully for four runs. The batsman flashes again a ball later and is lucky not to edge the ball to Prior. Cook sprints to Finn to discuss tactics before Taylor rushes a single on the off-side. Williamson takes one to deep cover and resists Taylor's call for a second. Good cricket from Taylor as he clips one to fine leg for two more to end the over.
NZ 41-2Anderson is back into the attack to replace Broad but he immediately concedes four runs when Taylor cuts hard to the boundary. Taylor nudges a single to cover before Williamson is frustrated by a good piece of fielding from Bairstow at point. No more frustration for the number three as he rocks back to punch the ball through the covers for four.
NZ 32-2England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Twitter: "Ooh Jimmy Jimmy, Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson.. #300 #boom"
NZ 32-2Finn is bowling slightly shorter and is finding some extra bounce as he beats Williamson's outside edge. It's important Finn still makes the most of the newer ball though. Williamson defends well and it's a maiden.
NZ 32-2Broad catches Taylor's inside edge but the ball cannons off the pad and rolls to safety. The bowler strays onto the pads and is punished as the ball reaches the rope for the cost of four leg-byes. Taylor is helped by the inside edge this time as he flicks the ball to fine leg for four more.
NZ 24-2The current pair are doing their best to calm things down at Lord's as Williamson hurries a single with a prod to point. Taylor is equally alert when he pushes the ball to cover for another run.
NZ 22-2Broad finds the perfect length to encourage the drive from Williamson but there's no edge off the bat. The same batsman flirts with the ball again before finally making contact to sneak a single to cover. Taylor leans on a fuller ball to pick up two on the leg-side from the final ball.
NZ 19-2Cook decides it's time for a change as Anderson is given a rest to make way for Finn. The Middlesex ace shows his pace when he surprises Taylor with a bouncer but the deflection off the glove races away to the rope. Apart from that delivery, Finn struggles to find the right line in his opening over.
NZ 15-2Decent bowling from Broad but he's not getting the ball to do much through the air. Williamson looks a very tidy player and he's comfortable as he plays out a maiden.
NZ 15-2Taylor latches onto some width offered by Anderson to cut the ball for four past gully. A shorter ball encourages Taylor to hang his bat in the air but there's no contact with the willow. Anderson then beats the outside edge twice, with the second delivery flying agonisingly past the bat. Good battle between those two.
NZ 11-2Broad is slightly too full and Williamson takes advantage to drive the ball through the covers for four. Good reply from the bowler as he brings one back to hit Williamson on the pad. Broad does catch the edge later in the over but the ball drops short of Cook on this occasion. Good pressure from England.
NZ 7-2Ross Taylor is the new batsman and he's almost gone when he lofts the ball into the off-side. He's safe but the over belongs to Anderson after reaching that remarkable milestone.
NZ 7-2Anderson takes his 300th Test wicket! The swing bowler catches the edge and Swann does brilliantly to take a good low catch. What an achievement from one of England's greatest ever bowlers. New Zealand are under big pressure now.
NZ 7-2WICKET! FULTON C SWANN B ANDERSON
NZ 7-1Finn has gone off the field for a moment and England's substitute is Billy Root, the brother of Joe.
NZ 7-1Williamson executes the bravest of leaves as Broad sneaks over the top of the bails. It's steady stuff from New Zealand since the departure of Rutherford as another maiden over races by.
NZ 7-1Anderson is doing his best to force Fulton into playing away from his body and he's inches away from catching the edge when the opener drives wildly. There's signs of uneven bounce in the over when one delivery rolls through to Prior. It's another maiden.
NZ 7-1Fulton gets off strike at the beginning of Broad's over with a single. Williamson's technique is something to be admired as he plays and leaves at the perfect time to negotiate the final five balls.
NZ 6-1Anderson is deadly accurate throughout his second over and there's some stifled appeals when Prior takes a catch down the leg-side. There was a noise but the replay shows the ball flicked the thigh pad. Maiden over.
NZ 6-1Kane Williamson is the new batsman but he's off strike as Stuart Broad takes the new ball from the other end. Broad starts very full but it's a no ball according to the umpire. Prior takes a superb catch down the leg-side when the ball swings late. Good start from Broad and England here.
NZ 5-1That's exactly what England needed! Anderson is at his best as he gets one to leave Rutherford before taking the edge. Cook takes a great catch at first slip to give Anderson his 299th Test wicket.
NZ 5-1WICKET! RUTHERFORD (4) C COOK B ANDERSON
NZ 5-0It takes Anderson a couple of balls to find his length and when he does, Fulton opens the face to earn a single through third man. Rutherford starts his innings superbly as he drives through the covers for four.
2.28pmRutherford and Fulton are ready to begin and it will be Anderson who starts proceedings with the ball.
2.27pmThe England bowlers are out in the middle preparing for the New Zealand innings. Southee and company found plenty of swing in these gloomy conditions so Cook will be hoping his men can do the same. Anderson is just two dismissals away from 300 Test wickets.
2.23pmSouthee ends the innings with figures of 4-58 but he was well supported by Wagner, who took three wickets. Boult claimed two scalps while Martin chipped in with the wicket of Nick Compton yesterday.
ENG 232England have crept to 232 but it's been a disappointing innings. The slow run-rate can be excused but the hosts will be disappointed that all of their top order players got a start yet failed to post a big score. Bairstow is the exception as he had no choice but to play his shots with the tail.
ENG 232Southee brings the innings to an end with a superb piece of fielding off his own bowling. Bairstow creams a cover drive but Southee sticks out a hand to take a brilliant catch. That's it, it's New Zealand's turn to bat and they'll be spurred on by a very good bowling performance.
ENG 232WICKET! BAIRSTOW (41) C&B SOUTHEE
ENG 232-9Anderson shows some great timing to drive through the covers but the long outfield means he only gets three for his trouble.
ENG 229-9Boult is looking very dangerous with a ball that is swinging more than ever now. Anderson gets out of the firing line with three runs to deep mid-wicket. Bairstow knows that it's time to step on the gas as he crunches a cover drive to the rope to become the highest scorer in the innings.
ENG 222-9Anderson swings at two wide ones as soon as he arrives at the crease to give us an idea of how he'll approach his innings. England's number 11 does survive the over and gets off the mark from the final ball.
ENG 221-9Southee has his third wicket of the innings when he strikes Finn on the pad at the start of a new over. Simple decision for Aleem Dar and England's innings is almost over. Jimmy Anderson in next.
ENG 221-9WICKET! FINN (4) LBW B SOUTHEE
ENG 221-8Good running from the England pair as Bairstow earns two with a flick to deep square-leg. The same player leaves well when Boult gets one to swing back sharply towards the stumps. Big appeal for lbw later in the over but McCullum chooses not to review the decision of not out. Probably a good choice judging by the replay.
ENG 219-8Southee is showing very good rhythm now and he beats Finn's outside edge with a gorgeous delivery midway through the over. Finn nods his head in approval before focusing again to block out a maiden.
ENG 219-8Big, big stroke of luck for Bairstow as he chops the ball just past his stumps to anger Boult. The bowler swings the ball both ways in the over to worry Bairstow and showcase his ability once again.
ENG 217-8Finn gets off strike early in the over with a flick to fine leg to bring Bairstow on strike but a late cut to the fielder at point frustrates the middle order batsman. Much better just a ball later when Bairstow lofts a wider ball over the slips for four runs. Smart cricket from the final ball as Bairstow sneaks a single to steal the strike.
ENG 211-8Boult is back for a new spell following the interval. Finn picks the length well to nudge the ball off his hip and earn a single to square-leg. Bairstow shows his intentions as he flashes at a wider ball but he can't make contact with the ball. Good over from Boult.
ENG 210-8Strange decision from McCullum to bowl Southee from the Nursery End after the seamer had enjoyed success from the Pavilion End this morning. Finn looks confident in defence as he plays out an over that contains just a leg-bye. He has two runs to his name and Bairstow is currently unbeaten on 29.
1.38pmBoth teams are back out on the field. Southee will bowl the first over of the session.
1.37pmWill Bairstow come out and try to put the Kiwis under pressure? We know he has the ability to do so but he could run out of partners pretty quickly.
1.34pmWelcome back. New Zealand will have enjoyed lunch much more than England. Wagner and Southee did the damage in the morning session and the tourists are two wickets away from batting.
1.03pmBairstow is the only top order batsman left for England and he'll be hoping to pile on the runs in the afternoon. Join me in around 35 minutes to see if England can rally after the interval.
ENG 209-8LUNCH: What a morning for the tourists. England looked comfortable for the first hour but Root's departure started a spell of 20 disappointing minutes for the hosts. New Zealand took their chances and they're are in complete control heading into lunch.
ENG 209-8Martin's second delivery spins big and leaves Watling struggling to collect the ball behind the stumps. Bairstow is predictably restrained so close to lunch and he's happy to defend the final over of the first session.
ENG 209-8Wagner swings the ball back into Bairstow but a whip through mid-wicket brings the England man two runs. Even better from the batsman when he gently pushes the ball past mid-off for a single.
ENG 206-8Good move from McCullum as he brings on Bruce Martin for his first bowl of the morning just before lunch. The spinner gives the ball plenty of flight but Bairstow is equal to the threat early in the over. A late cut brings Bairstow a run before a couple of big defensive strides from Finn completes a steady first over for Martin.
ENG 205-8Finn shows that he might fancy playing a few shots as he flashes at a wider one from Wagner. The Middlesex bowler soon goes back into his shell before earning two runs with a thick edge past gully.
ENG 203-8Southee goes very full to Bairstow early in the over but the batsman can't pick the gaps in the field. The Yorkshire ace has a duty to put his foot down now. Bairstow does collect two runs straight down the ground from the final ball but it's another good over from Southee.
ENG 201-8Finn picks the length well to let his first ball fly over the top of his stumps. The New Zealand bowlers will remember how Finn frustrated them in Dunedin and they're treated to some textbook leaves from 'The Watford Wall'.
ENG 201-8Swann could have taken the game to New Zealand but that possibility has gone now. Wagner hits a good area to find the edge, with Watling taking a simple catch behind the stumps. Steve Finn is the new batsman but he'll do well to stop this charge from the tourists.
ENG 201-8WICKET! SWANN (5) C WATLING B WAGNER
ENG 201-7Bairstow nudges England to 200 with a single into the deep on the leg-side. Southee is finding some good movement in the air now and Swann does well to keep out a swinging delivery. Swann is happy to take a single from the final ball to keep the strike.
ENG 199-7Swann doesn't take long to get off the mark as he drills his second ball to the point boundary for four runs. Wagner responds by sending down a couple of shorter deliveries but Swann survives.
ENG 195-7It just gets better for McCullum and his men. Wagner goes very full to Broad and England's number eight misses a straight one to give the umpire no choice but to raise his finger. The Black Caps are on a roll.
ENG 195-7WICKET! BROAD (0) LBW B WAGNER
ENG 195-6Bairstow pushes Wagner straight down the ground for three runs early in the over.
ENG 192-6Stuart Broad is the new batsman but there's no hat-trick for Southee as he sends one across the left-handed batsman. Great over for New Zealand and the pressure is straight back on England now.
ENG 192-6Huge moment! Prior's stay is a short one as he is hit on the pad first ball. The umpire raises the finger and following an appeal from Prior, DRS shows that the ball would have clipped leg-stump. Prior goes and Southee is on a hat-trick.
ENG 192-6WICKET! PRIOR (0) LBW B SOUTHEE
ENG 192-5It's a horrible moment for Root. Southee strays onto the pads but instead of flicking the ball to the rope, the Yorkshire batsman edges the ball into the hands of the diving Watling. Important wicket for New Zealand but their old nemesis Matt Prior is in next.
ENG 192-5WICKET! ROOT (40) C WATLING B SOUTHEE
ENG 192-4Root flirts with a Southee delivery that just does enough to leave the bat.
ENG 192-4Bairstow finds the gap at square-leg to take two runs from the first ball of Wagner's over before driving straight down the ground for four more. Wagner tightens his line following the boundary but it's six from the over.
ENG 186-4Plenty of leaves and blocks in the first hour of the day. It's still very gloomy around Lord's but England will be content with their start. The duo out in the middle have been there for a while now and may think about accelerating soon.
ENG 186-4Southee switches ends to replace Boult at the Pavilion End and he almost takes a wicket immediately. Root completely miscues a drive but the ball floats into a gap on the off-side instead of the grateful hands of Rutherford. Good return for Southee, who sends down five dot balls to take us to drinks.
ENG 184-4Smart over from Wagner but his maiden is ruined when Root flicks the ball down to fine leg for a single. Steady progress from England this morning.
ENG 183-4Bairstow nudges the ball to square-leg for a single early in the over and Root adds another run with a prod into the off-side. Fulton does well at cover to block Bairstow's sweetly timed drive. Watling ends the over with a superb piece of keeping to take a wayward delivery from Boult.
ENG 180-4Root punches the ball through the off-side and a mistake from Rutherford in the deep allows the batsmen to run three. Wagner seems to lose the ball out of his hand as he delivers a wide ball. The bowler responds by delivering the best ball of the day as he sneaks one through the gate to leave the slips gasping in despair and approval. Williamson then fumbles the ball in the gully to allow Bairstow to hurry a single from the final delivery.
ENG 176-4Another decent over from Boult but he hasn't got the ball to do too much yet this morning. New Zealand will be desperate for at least one wicket before lunch but Bairstow won't budge as he plays out a maiden.
ENG 176-4McCullum makes his first bowling change of the morning as Wagner comes into the attack to replace Southee. Wagner finds some late swing but Root is leaving the ball well outside his off-stump. The left-arm seamer brings another one back into Root but he defends well to block out the maiden.
ENG 176-4Boult forces Bairstow into an uncomfortable position with one pitched just back of a length. The right-handed batsman shows his timing when he drives a fuller ball straight past the bowler for his first boundary. Boult responds with a shorter ball but Bairstow once again chooses to duck at the right time.
ENG 172-4Bairstow swings his bat at a wider ball from Southee and is fortunate not to edge one behind before readjusting to push the next delivery for a single. Southee finds a nice line to Root to force the young batsman into playing a couple of firm defensive shots.
ENG 171-4It may be before midday but that hasn't stopped the umpires asking for the lights to be put on due to the gloomy conditions. Bairstow takes a single with a thick inside edge to backward square-leg. Root does his best to work the ball into a gap on the off-side but he picks out the fielder at point on two separate occasions.
ENG 170-4Root pushes Southee through point early in the over for a single. It's a much more accurate over from Southee but Bairstow still manages to add another run with a slightly miscued pull shot behind square on the leg-side.
ENG 168-4Boult finds the edge for the first time this morning but, luckily for Bairstow, it drops short of the slips. The seamer strikes the pads later in the over but it looks too high to be considered a realistic lbw shout. It's a maiden.
ENG 168-4Root is unlucky to pick out the fielder when he whips the ball through the leg-side. The batsman does pick the gap a ball later with three runs to deep mid-wicket. Southee attempts to surprise Bairstow with a short ball but he easily ducks away from the threat before nudging a single to keep the strike.
ENG 164-4Bairstow is more than happy to watch his first six balls of the day fly through to Watling behind the stumps as Boult begins the morning with a maiden.
ENG 164-4Southee strays down the leg-side with the first two balls of the over to test BJ Watling's early morning reactions. Root is eventually given the chance to get bat on ball by playing a couple of defensive shots before scoring the first runs of the day with four through mid-wicket off his pads.
10.59amThe Yorkshire duo are out in the middle and look relaxed, almost as if it's just a county game up at Headingley. Tim Southee will bowl the first over and he'll do it with the new ball.
10.56amThe players are ready to go and are heading out of the dressing rooms now. New Zealand will surely the adopt the same plan as yesterday but the spotlight is on the young England duo out in the middle this morning. How will they react? We're about to find out.
10.51amIf England can negotiate the opening spell, particularly Boult's, they might feel they can make some good progress before lunch.
10.48amIt's certainly not as warm as yesterday at the home of cricket. There's more clouds in the sky, so will it swing?
10.46amAnother factor to consider when discussing the slow rate of scoring may be the outfield at Lord's. The ground staff have admitted that the grass is thicker than usual and we did see a lot of shots fall just short of the rope yesterday.
10.43amJonathan Trott, who made 39 before being dismissed by Trent Boult, believes that the low run-rate is not a problem for England. The batsman told BBC Sport: "That's why there's five days set aside for these games, it ebbs and flows and you can get sessions where 120 or 130 runs are scored."
10.41amThe new ball is available to New Zealand this morning, with the rain halting play at 80 overs yesterday. Root and Bairstow will face a tough battle this morning against the fresh bowlers but both players can score quickly.
10.38amBairstow heads to the ground under some pressure this morning. The batsman may only be in the team due to Kevin Pietersen's absence but if he can make an impact at Lord's then his chances of securing a spot in this side will only get better.
10.36amRoot could be the key player for England today. The Yorkshire ace has scored three half-centuries in his previous three first-class innings and a similar score today will only see his stock rise within the England set-up.
10.33amEngland have been criticised by plenty of people overnight for their slow scoring but it's important to give the tourists some credit too. New Zealand executed their plan well yesterday and will be confident of making further inroads today.
10.30amGood morning everyone. Yesterday was like taking a trip back in cricket history. England struggled to score at more than two runs an over for most of the day as New Zealand took control on day one. Can England make progress this morning with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow at the crease? Stay with Sports Mole to find out.
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England
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