After Glenn Phillips’ first Test Century helped New Zealand post a successful attack, the visitors’ attacks were frequent and left England 169 runs short at the close.
At stumps, opener Jordan Cox was unbeaten on 22, while Jofra Archer was yet to open his account.
New Zealand were bowled out just before lunch for 391, boosted by Phillips’ knock of exactly 100. It was the first 100 years of Test cricket and it helped the visitors to recover from the crisis.
England’s response was led by opener Emilio Gay, who scored 53. It was his second consecutive half-century in just his second match. Joe Root looked set to score but fell on 46, trapped in front by Matt Henry, leaving him just two runs short of becoming the second batsman to reach 14,000 Test runs.
Henry, who battled back concussion in the previous Test at Lord’s, was New Zealand’s most popular bowler. The fast bowler removed England captain Ben Stokes and vice-captain Harry Brook to put the players down.
Nathan Smith also impressed, he got the wicket and produced a superb delivery to run out Ben Duckett and throw the arm on the sharp side as he walked.
England fought back for a while through openers Cox and James Rew, who added 40 runs for the seventh wicket. However, New Zealand struck again 10 minutes from time when Will O’Rourke made it 24 for Rew.
Rew received help earlier when Rachin Ravindra lost a chance, but New Zealand ensured that the damage was kept to a minimum.
With England still 169 runs behind with just four wickets in hand, New Zealand will enter Day 3 firmly in control of the competition.
