by England were left frustrated by the return of Kane Williamson as New Zealand reached 193 for three by tea on the first day of the first Test in Christchurch.
Williamson missed his team’s stunning shutout of India with a groin injury, but marked his return to Hagley Oval with a royal 77 that was not out to support the home side’s innings .
The 34-year-old was on the field at the start of the third over after Gus Atkinson’s early breakthrough and proved his enduring class by leading three half-century stands with Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.
Ben Stokes had won the toss and elected to send in the Black Caps, hoping to find some early signs of life on a green-tinged pitch.
There was instant success for Atkinson when he caught Devon Conway and bowled around the wicket, but England failed to create consistent pressure.
New Zealand skipper Latham, fresh from leading the triumphant 3-0 win over India, was unfazed by the early defeat and quickly settled into a steady scoring rhythm as he compiled a measured 47.
Williamson had a scare over nothing when he edged Chris Woakes at slip, but played his part in a solid stand of 58 for the second wicket.
England were keen to separate them before their partnership progressed further and Carse got the job done in his third over, Latham catching a full ball that went away and clipped the edge.
Williamson began to look in a threatening mood as he tested the middle of his bat with some confident pulls, but a third breakthrough would have put England’s nose in front at lunch.
Instead, they let Ravindra slip away from them in the latter part of the session. After his first two overs cost 19, Stokes tightened his line and got a small dent on the way to Pope.
Remarkably, neither Stokes nor the cordon appealed and New Zealand went into the break 104 for two.
England called on Shoaib Bashir for a change of pace in the afternoon session and luck was with the 21-year-old. The off-spinner was still looking for pace when he served a full toss to Ravindra, whose eyes lit up before hitting a catch straight to short mid-wicket.
He threw his head back in disbelief that he had spotted Zak Crawley and gave up a hard-fought 34. At the other end of the pitch, Williamson showed no such carelessness.
After Carse shook his helmet, number three hit the Durham man on all fours back to back on the front and back foot. He helped himself to two more when Bashir drifted down leg, reaching 50 off 90 deliveries.
There was a first glimpse of debutant Jacob Bethell’s part-time spin as tea approached, with Williamson asserting himself by sweeping the newcomer’s first ball for four.
