Quite a number of fans are still filtering their way on to the grass banking at the Hagley Oval.

Harry Brook opens his boundary account for the day with a sumptuous square driver for four off Nathan Smith. That'll do nicely.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Christchurch

I'm a big fan of days of Test cricket in New Zealand starting with the strings from The Verve's Bitter Sweet Symphony (yes, I know about the Rolling Stones thing, before you start).

Miles better than Jerusalem.

Will O'Rourke is a little short with his penultimate delivery and Ben Stokes pulls it across the line for four. A sign of intent from the England skipper.

Nathan Smith will bowl the second over.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Christchurch

I suspect Stokes is going to play some shots before the new ball...

The Barmy Army trumpeter is currently playing 'Jerusalem' as Will Rourke bounds in. Harry Brook steers an early loosener off his pads for a single.

A couple of balls later and Ben Stokes has an expansive waft at one outside off stump, but fails to make contact.

Will O'Rourke has the ball in hand and is at the top of his mark. Harry Brook has just taken guard.

Play.

New Zealand's players have just broken off from their team huddle and sprinted out on to the outfield.

Ben Stokes and Harry Brook are making way out to the middle.

It's a sell out today at the Hagley Oval.

David Gower
Ex-England captain on TNT Sports

They tell me that this pitch gets flatter and flatter so there's more runs left in it.

Image source, Getty Images

England's Ben Duckett, speaking on TNT Sports: "The new ball was tricky against a good bowling attack, they bowled well. It quickened up yesterday, which was a good thing, because you could also go out there and score. There was more steep bounce than you get in England."

CambridgEcon101: Harry Brook is a fabulous talent no doubt but that might be the luckiest innings I’ve ever seen in 40 years watching cricket! Could/should have been out about 12 times between drops and chances he gave away. He must wonder how he’s still out there!

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Brook will resume in the morning session on 132 not out after reaching his seventh Test century yesterday.

England captain Ben Stokes is also still at the crease, unbeaten on 37.

Steven Finn
Former England fast bowler on TNT Sports after day two

It’s Harry Brook’s range of gears which I think is so impressive. His ability to play the defensive strokes and read the situation. Then, when he wants to assert himself back onto the situation, he can pick the loose balls and he’s really selective with the way he goes after them.

It’s not like he’s saying ‘I have to play a cut this ball, I have to play a drive’. He’s so still at his crease, he can wait to see it in his area and then, he decides to play his shot.

When he wants to become audacious and why he’s so good at white ball cricket, he comes across and plays the scoop across the shoulder. He’s a remarkable player.

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening...

Hopefully you've managed to land yourself some Black Friday deals and are ready to put your feet up for the rest of the evening and immerse yourself in some cricket..

Welcome to our coverage of of the first Test between New Zealand and England from the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Day two was all about a certain Harry Cherrington Brook. More of the same on day three?