Trent Boult struck twice as New Zealand continued to make England struggle on the first day of the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday.
At tea, England — who won the toss — were 3-113 with Boult having removed both skipper Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott during the second session.
The accurate Boult had figures of two for 23 off 15 overs at the interval.
Ian Bell was 18 not out and Joe Root, in his first Test on home soil, unbeaten on nought following a session where England took 57 overs to score 27 runs and lost two key wickets in the process.
After an uncertain start, New Zealand’s seamers settled into a probing line and length which England’s batsmen rarely disrupted.
Although blue skies overhead on a sunny day promised ideal conditions for batting, an outfield relaid after the Olympic archery tournament at Lord’s last year prevented several well-struck shots getting to the boundary.
There were only two boundaries in the morning session.
Nevertheless, Cook and fellow opener Nick Compton were rarely troubled until the introduction of Bruce Martin, the sole specialist spinner in the side after he was preferred to Doug Bracewell.
New Zealand reeled off four consecutive maidens, including one from Martin before the left-armer floated a delivery up to Compton who, trying to hit ‘inside out’, miscued and was well caught off the edge by Tim Southee, running back at point for 16.
And 43 for one should have become 2-48 when the 33-year-old Martin, in only his fourth Test and first outside New Zealand, had Trott driving early but dropped the caught and bowled chance.
At lunch, England were 1-56 with left-hander Cook 30 not out and Trott unbeaten on four.
Cook was still on his interval score when he survived an lbw appeal from left-arm seamer Trent Boult.
But Boult had his revenge soon afterwards when Cook, on 32, edged defensively at a full length ball and wicket-keeper BJ Watling took a low diving catch to leave England 2-67.
Slowly, Trott — who took 18 balls to get off the mark — and Bell rebuilt the innings.
But shortly before tea Trott edged Boult and third slip Dean Brownlie, diving in front of second slip, held an excellent catch.
Trott’s 39 took him 96 balls, with England 3-112 after his partnership of 45 with Bell.
