Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

"A terrific session. It has got a little bit easier for England but they've had to battle hard. Root has been beaten several times and nearly caught but now he has got the benefit. The way New Zealand have bowled they could have had two or three extra wickets."

This is developing into a superb stand. These two dug deep to see off some superb New Zealand bowling and now they are reaping the rewards as the Kiwi standards dip. Root rocks back and, like an efficient lumberjack, chops to send Henry's third ball fling past gully for four. He then picks up three with a drive down the ground off the last.

Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Craig will go for a few runs but occasionally bowl a beaut. Too many times in that over he was too short. He's got to bring the batsmen forward, both times when he did he beat the bat."

Image source, PA

Craig finds his length and some spin to send one twirling away from Cook's tentative forward dab. However, after finding the perfect length. he goes to the other extreme with a horror-delivery that pitches wide and spins wider that has Latham diving to grab with one hand. That was almost yips territory. Just to keep Cook guessing, he ends with another that draws Cook forward and beats his bat. Sublime to ridiculous and back to sublime again. A ridiculous sandwich, with top quality bread, if you will.

Root extends England's lead with a well-timed punch through midwicket off Henry, but gets a reminder that his side's position is precarious with a fullish ball that nips back of the pitch and jags between bat and stumps. This Test is like a well-matched boxing fight at the moment full of punches and counter-punches. England ensure they win the 48th over courtesy of a Cook pull for another four.

Image source, PA

McCullum tweaks his bowling attack by spinning Mark Craig into the mix. He is a man who appears to sculpt his beard, which immediately makes me suspicious of him. Cook eyes him warily for a couple but then twice rocks back to pick up two boundaries - courtesy of a cut and a pull - that propels England into the lead.

England 131-3 (46 overs) - trail by 3 runs

Batsmen: Cook 55*, Root 29*

Fall of wickets: 14-1 (Lyth 12), 25-2 (Ballance 0), 74-3 (Bell 29)

Bowling figures: Boult 14-4-32-1, Southee 15-2-50-2, Henry 12-1-29-0, Craig 3-0-6-0, Anderson 2-0-8-0

First innings: England 389; NZ 523

Full scorecard

Philip Brooks: People would be complaining if Cook tried to up the pace and got out cheaply. Seems damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

Rob Meech: People must separate Cook the captain from Cook the batsman. I don't think he should be skipper, but he's a fine batsman.

Image source, Reuters

People are still finding their way to their seats at HQ. One bloke struggles down the steps carrying four pints of lager in one of those paper holder thingies that are always flirting precariously on the edge of disaster. Perhaps a metaphor for... Henry charges in, Root fends him off for a maiden.

Corey Anderson, built more like a cage fighter than a cricketer, lumbers in for another over. Root and Cook are set, though, and he poses no problems. After the stand-off of earlier, this pair are starting to find runs easier to come by, courtesy of flicks, nudges and nurdles.

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Fisher: Circumstances bring batting styles. Cook can dig in, bat long, and allow others to score quickly then there's hope for England.

Gregory Mumford: Cook finding his form, hoping to see 150 today, perfect partner in Root, if it stays dry, they can be there all day.

Image source, PA

Digby in Durham: When I was a working as a gappy at Ryan Harris' old school in Adelaide I used to umpire in my kilt... which caused quite a stir when the wind picked up!

The New Zealand bowlers have been so tight, so consistent, so effective, but there are signs that they are starting to flag a touch. Henry drops short outside off and Root is on it with a flashing back-foot drive that sends the ball skipping away to the backward point boundary. That was practically swashbuckling. The lead is down to single figures.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Cook is a typical opening batsman, very stubborn, very single minded and that's what you need to be. When you look back to his best in 2011 he wasn't playing much one-day cricket. Now he's just playing Test cricket it's going to be a lot better for him, keeping it as simple as possible."

Jim: This is a typically disciplined performance by a southern hemisphere side. Like their rugby, disciplined, with the mental strength to bowl accurately and just wait for the batsman to make a mistake. England just don't have that ability, hence they play at balls they shouldn't.

Howard: Having watched England for 40 years now, I do chuckle at some of the comments on here. Remember it's a five-day game and sometimes a war of attrition. But this is Test cricket.

As if he is hearing some of the nonsense criticism from the social media snipers, Cook rocks back to a short ball from the newly-introduced Corey Anderson and hammers a cut through point for four.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"It's been fantastic cricket to watch, high class from New Zealand who have got the ball moving around. That first over from Southee every ball seemed to be doing something. England still under a huge amount of pressure and there is still a bit of shape through the air."

Mark Valentine: Don't understand the criticism of these two for playing defensively. Ball is moving around like crazy and they need to concentrate on keeping their wickets. Runs can come later.

Freddy: People complaining about Cook's mindset for these couple of sessions is ridiculous. We need a captains innings here. And a big one.

I'm with Freddy. Any criticism of this Cook innings is ridiculous. These are tough conditions and circumstances for batting. He knows he needs to stay there. There will be a time for more expansive cricket later.

There are small signs that Joe Root is looking a tad more expansive in his shots. He guides a Southee delivery through gully with an open face to pick up a boundary and then gets forward to drive twice with intent, both of which bring him two runs. They momentarily lift the Lord's crowd out of its murmur.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Cook has made a fifty 67 times now - that's past Graham Gooch as the most for England."