Yes, as we suspected, New Zealand waste no time in bringing back Trent Boult, a man who will have been haunting the dreams of Gary Ballance since dismissing him twice the Lord's Test. Four slips waiting ravenously in the cordon, and they are so nearly thrown a scrap when Ballance is millimetres away from edging a sharply straightening delivery. He remains scoreless from eight balls.

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Seb Gillot: Lyth has played on without dislodging the bails in the 90s looking for his first test 100, just as Strauss did vs NZ in 2004.

So Gary Ballance is the new man. He had a couple of low scores at Lord's, he's looking for redemption here. Will New Zealand be tempted to bring back his nemesis Trent Boult? Lyth adds a single off Southee.

Sam Rosser: How has he given that not out? Shocking umpire!

Matt Chapman: Another awful decision from umpire Ravi in this test - looked absolutely plumb on live TV.

England's mammoth opening stand is finally brought to an end. The DRS shows the ball pitched on middle stump and was going straight on. Technology rides to New Zealand's rescue, and boy did they need that. Excellent breakthrough for Craig, who hadn't looked especially threatening until then but hung in there well.

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Alastair Cook is hit on the front pad attempting a sweep. The initial verdict is not out, but New Zealand want another look...

A puff of the cheeks from Adam Lyth as he aims a wild swish at a hooping inswinger from Tim Southee. And then he gets a real reprieve! He's a touch late on a defensive push and the ball bounces at his feet and backspins onto the stumps, but the bails don't move. Something tells me these nineties are going to be nervous for the Yorkshire opener...

Nicholas Cooper: Huge admiration for Cook, a lot of unnecessary criticism and his record is second to none. Leadership at the highest level.

bROCKerz: Is Alastair Cook not just the best proof that form is temporary and class is permanent?

Lyth moves into the 90s with a steered single to cover.

Alex in Leicester: Noticed how short England's surnames are. 57 letters in total. Very economical. NZ - 72. Are we the 'shortest' team ever?

Lyth adds a single, before Cook - increasingly deep in his bunker - blocks out the rest of Southee's over.

But Alastair Cook is home safely. Ran his bat in nicely. Relief for the England captain.

Now, is this the breakthrough New Zealand have been waiting for? McCullum has thrown down the timbers...

England continue their slow-paced accumulation, Cook and Lyth adding a single apiece off the increasingly hopeless-looking spin of Craig.

Kate in London: I was taught Biology at GCSE by the legend Chris Tavare - lessons were slow and methodical!

Zoe: Chris Tavare taught me Biology after his playing career ended. He got a fair amount of stick for his batting style. Good man, great tache.

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Piers in Worcester: I was taught English by Tim Curtis and Geography by Phil Newport at school.

How do you get Alastair Cook out when he's in this mood? You can't bore him out, and you can't play on his ego by sending down a few juicy ones outside the off stump. You have to make him play, but get too straight and he'll simply nudge you to leg, as he does to Tim Southee again. Lyth then flicks him down to fine leg for four.

Charlie Rhodes: Whilst Cook and Lyth are batting very well, I feel under 3 an over isn't quite proactive enough.

Andy Hawkes: The pace that England are scoring today proves Lord's was a one off and not a change in philosophy unfortunately.

George Tunstall: Saracens are scoring faster than the England team at the moment.

Mark Craig has a lush beard to rival his predecessor as New Zealand's spinner, Daniel Vettori but sadly, he doesn't appear to possess any of the same sorcery in his fingers. It's all too easy for Cook and Lyth to block and nudge their way through another over.

Ian Bradley: Say it quietly, the search for Strauss successor may be over, Adam Lyth exuding class.

Jeffrey Yeung: I hope Lyth gets a big score in his own backyard, and gives him more confidence to show what he can do as opener(need for Ashes)

Tim Southee takes the ball at the other end. Adam Lyth, who gets nicely side-on to the ball off the back foot, pockets the first runs of the evening with a single to cover.