Southee slants the ball across left-hander Anderson, he fishes at a couple before defending an inswinger - if anyone, Anderson should know all about the fast bowler's trick of outswinger, outswinger, inswinger. And he's off the mark as he leg-glances for four - moving up to 998 career Test runs.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"James Anderson came in in last year's Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley with 20 overs and two balls remaining. He survived 54 balls and was dismissed off his 55th, with two balls left in the match."

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"The tempo of Buttler's innings today has been excellent. He's looked controlled and played straight. There can be times when he's a little bit too forthright."

Now, will Buttler's approach change with Anderson at the other end? Or will he realise that 25 overs is a heck of a long time to farm the strike? England's wicketkeeper slaps a four past gully and steers another through mid-on. But the last couple of deliveries are wide outside off stump, Buttler does not risk an edge, so Southee will get a full over at Anderson.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"New Zealand's current largest Test victory over England by runs is the win at Hamilton in 2008 by 189 runs."

So, for the second year running, it's all down to James Anderson to save the Headingley Test for England. Last year he had 20 overs to survive against Sri Lanka (before perishing with two balls left of the game), this year there's 25.2 overs left against New Zealand. He sees out his first two deliveries.

Image source, Getty Images

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

"That ball started in really quite tight, and the length was such that Wood had to play at it. Mark Craig has been very accurate at second slip."

Wood's 40-ball spell of defiance ends as he nudges Southee to the safe hands of Mark Craig at second slip. There had been some alarm bells earlier in the over when he tried to pull a short ball and nearly chopped onto his stumps. New Zealand are one wicket from victory.

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

"I haven't seen New Zealand go so relentlessly from the first ball of the match as they have done in this series."

Boult switches mid-over to bowling round the wicket, but he finds Buttler in obdurate mood, not giving the Kiwis an inch. An over of stout defence, and another maiden over.

Chris Parker: Let's be honest; Bell is past it (can't rely on one good innings every so often); Ballance is iffy; Moeen is just not good enough. Pick a proper spinner instead.

Pete, Lutterworth: If only there was an English spin bowler available who was still only 33, had already played 50 Tests and had taken 167 Test wickets, external including 12 x 5-for and 2 x 10-for… #forgottenman

Image source, PA

Southee, wicketless this innings, has Wood playing and missing at a glorious outswinger that perversely, a front-line batsman may have nicked. A maiden over - this stand is worth 42.

Tim in Kent: Listen. Given the winter England have had, it would have been ridiculous to expect an overnight turn around. England are seeking a new direction, doing their best to turn things around. Decisions they have made have given promising signs. Mark Wood and Adam Lyth getting a start and doing good things, as demanded by "fans". Cook is back in form after constant abuse from "fans", Root has scored runs, Stokes delivered a match winning performance and Buttler looks like he is the future! Let's get behind them for once!

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Mark Wood has two first-class fifties to his name, and his Test batting average is creeping up, having only been dismissed once - having made eight not out and four not out at Lord's, and 19 in the first innings, a single off Boult takes him to 17 means he's now averaging 48. Not bad for a number 10.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"Buttler has shown that there's much more to his play than just coming out and playing a one-day innings."

Image source, AP

Tim Southee to share the second new ball with Boult, with a packed slip cordon - but Jos Buttler guides a four off his legs to bring up his fifth Test fifty from 111 balls, in contrast to some of his rapid-fire limited-overs cameos. The new ball is flying around a bit early on, Buttler forging ahead with another boundary, this time throught he covers.

Image source, PA

Simon in Bangkok: Has anyone managed to work out the most quintessentially English cricket stat? I am talking of course about innings per collapse. It seems we manage to have a monumental batting collapse at least once a series. Would be interesting to see how the stats compare for each different English team - Vaughan's ashes winners, Strauss's number one team and Cook's (not entirely sure what this team will define themselves as) team.

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Trent Boult is handed the new cherry, and he switches back to bowling over the wicket to Wood, who's batting in a long-sleeved sweater. Wood watches one whistle by, but jams his bat down to defend the next delivery. A confident prod past gully brings him a two, while an even more accomplished clip through mid-wicket brings him three. No, I won't jinx him by making further comment on his batting prowess.

Jamie: At Lord's England showed a great attacking spirit, a spirit that has been missing from the English game for far too long. So why are we criticising Root for talking big and being confident? Could you imagine the Australian press having a pop at one of their players for talking up their chances?

Image source, Getty Images

Craig spins down five dot balls to Buttler before the Lancashire keeper nicks a four past Guptill at second slip, and the Kiwi opener kicks the ground in frustration. And with 80 overs bowled, it's time for the new ball...