Alastair Cook, Adam Lyth hit half-centuries

Half-centuries from Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth have left England in a strong position at tea on day two of the second Test against New Zealand, with the home side reaching 163-0 at the end of the afternoon session.

Cook resumed after lunch just five short of Graham Gooch's record as England's highest run-scorer in Test cricket, and after a quiet start he eased past the 21-year-old record.

There were celebrations down the other end a few overs later as Lyth clinched his maiden Test half-century, flicking the ball away for a boundary to bring up the 50 mark.

The captain also reached the 50-run mark before tea for the fifth time in his last seven innings, lifting the ball just beyond Matt Henry's reach.

The opening partnership remained intact as the final over before the interval was bowled, leaving the home side 187 runs behind New Zealand's first-innings total with all 10 wickets in hand.