by Harry Brook and Ollie Pope had the chance to lead England’s fightback after New Zealand dismantled their top spot on day two in Christchurch.
After bowling out the Black Caps for 348, the tourists were reeling on 71 for four in reply after failing a rigorous test by the local seamers.
But Brook (54 not out) and Pope (59 not out) consolidated England’s position with a century stand that took them to 174 for four at tea.
There were ducks for Zak Crawley and Joe Root, the latter making his historic 150th appearance, and a trial by fire for debutant Jacob Bethell, who was caught for 10 in his experimental outing at number three.
Brook in particular needed a few big slices of luck to play his part, badly let down at 18 and 41.
Pope also had a tough time as New Zealand continued to ask tough questions, but both batters hit many shots as they failed to get into their shells.
England started the day looking for two more wickets and Brydon Carse collected both to finish with four for 64. He showed both sides of his game, having Tim Southee caught by a well-aimed bouncer before to castle Will O’Rourke with a punishing Yorker. .
Ball continued to dominate after the round change, with Crawley unable to get going as Matt Henry pinned him underweight for a 12-ball duck.
It meant an uncomfortably early arrival for Bethell, 21, whose selection in the pivot three position – a position he had never played in before – prompted many raised eyebrows.
He took 13 deliveries to get off the ground and still had just a single to his name after 26. With the new ball spinning around, he survived a muffled lbw appeal on his first delivery and another for a no advantage while he was beaten away. disabled.
The introduction of fellow debutant Nathan Smith brought him out of his shell, an authoritative draw for four and a gentle cut towards the back point boundary, showing off his shot quality.
But he quickly lost the battle to the new blood, looking to block Smith in the channel but making a marginal error of judgment to get behind.
There was a short wait while the officials checked for a ball, but there was no respite for Bethell.
Smith’s dream start got even better when, moments before lunch, he pushed Root onto the back foot and knocked him off bat and pad.
Ben Duckett had seen his teammates fall to the other side and only avoided joining them when he was knocked to the ground in the 23rd. He fought his way to the 46th in the afternoon, but overcommitted against a short ball for O’. Bouncer Rourke gives a catch to fine leg.
At 71 for four, England badly needed some stability but instead had to rely on handling errors to stay afloat. Just nine balls later, Brook clipped Smith hard but straight into the gully, where Glenn Phillips failed to hold on despite catching him in the stomach.
Brook’s next shot went ominously close to the back square but went wide for four and he grabbed another six when he swung back and lifted Henry into the ranks of camping chairs on the banks of the grass .
The runs and chances continued to flow, Brook gave second life on 40 when he hit Smith’s outside swinger and Tom Latham fumbled it away. Pope was also accumulating quickly but almost diverted the unlucky Smith into his stumps.
A handful of boundaries were established between the slip cordon and the gully region, but England kept their foot to the ground, Brook first to fifty with a flat pulled six and Pope following closely.
