Joe Root leads England fightback in the middle-order at Headingley.
A well-composed half-century from Joe Root has out England back on the front foot during the afternoon session at Headingley, with the home side finishing at 178-4.
After losing two quick wickets before lunch the hosts needed a strong partnership to deny the Kiwis a chance to further press their advantage.
Root and Ian Bell put on 79 for the third wicket, which saw Bell depart for 30 off 73 balls from the bowling of Kane Williamson.
Bell prodded at a ball that failed to spring back into the right-hander as much as he anticipated as he edged through the Brendon McCullum behind the stumps.
That left England at 146-4 with Root and Jonny Bairstow (13no) navigating their way to tea without further loss.
Root will resume his innings on 61 and will look to push on to the first century of the series, however, a further wicket or to for New Zealand in the final session could see the Test delicately balance at the end of the first full day’s play.
England v New Zealand
Played at Headingley
Toss won by England
England 1st Innings
A. Cook c Brownlie b Bracewell 34
N. Compton c Brownlie b Southee 1
J. Trott c McCullum b Wagner 28
I. Bell c McCullum b Williamson 30
J. Root not out 61
J. Bairstow not out 13
Extras (b5, lb2, w3 nb1) 11
Total (4 wkts, 58 overs, 258 mins) 178
Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Compton), 2-67 (Trott), 3-67 (Cook), 4-146 (Bell)
To bat: M Prior, S Broad, G Swann, S Finn, J Anderson
Bowling: Boult 15-3-33-0 (2w); Southee 13-4-35-1; Wagner 13-2-36-1 (1nb, 1w); Bracewell 14-3-56-1; Williamson 3-0-11-1
COMMENTS