Andy Donley: Telling that the new dawn of English 1-day cricket is being exploited by two survivors of the old regime. Shackles off.

Mark: You know, I'm sure those two early wickets were simply a ruse, to emphasise England's new ability to fightback!

McCullum calls Grant Elliott into the headmaster's office for a stern-faced chat. Whatever the instructions, Elliott can't stop the runs flowing, and Morgan brings up his fifty with a single past mid-off. Root then continues the gleeful carnage with a towering straight six that sends him coasting into the 90s.

Tom, Northants: Not really too much to get excited about yet. Root/Morgan are established members of the set up. And just having a decent knock.

Image source, Getty Images

It's a strange, wonderful feeling watching England suddenly playing one-day cricket like this. It's like watching your dad bust a few break-dancing moves - you didn't know they had it in 'em. Morgan brings up a joyful 100 partnership with an unorthodox six, spooned off one foot over third man.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

"There are lots of groups of schoolchildren here today. Earlier on, I saw the minibus of Langley Secondary School stuck in traffic, the driver looking quite fed up. Square of the wicket, another group of kids sit together, about 30 of them all dressed in what seem to be high-vis jackets. You can't help but feel for them. Excited to be at the cricket, they've been made to dress like a peloton of late-night cyclists."

This is effortless stuff from Joe Root, just easing any balls that are slightly off line to the boundary. A leg-sidish delivery from Elliott is serenely flicked off the pads and runs away to the fine-leg fence.

Mark Dowson: Already past the total we scored against NZ in the World Cup, ENG ODI cricket looking up?

James Cox: Really enjoying this from Root & Morgan, the balance between attack and sense is perfect from both of them.

Jarleth Eaton: What's this?! Attacking intent from England?! Anyone else feel a bit weird as well as excited?

Image source, AP

Root caresses the ball wide off third man for another boundary, superb timing yet again. McClenaghan shows the frustration in the New Zealand ranks with a vicious bouncer.

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

"There was a huddle going on at drinks time for New Zealand. There were clearly some concerned words being spoken. We are looking at a big England total here. I heard Michael Vaughan say to go for five an over. I don't agree with that. I think you get as many as you can."

Time for a bit of medium-pace from all-rounder Grant Elliott, sporting the lush beard of a Seventies Scandinavian pop star. Floral shirt, neckerchief and flares required to complete the look. England are racing along here and Morgan piles on the punishment with a huge six over long-on. He looks reinvigorated by the move up the order.

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

Image source, Reuters

"Very strong showing from this new England side. These are really good conditions with no swing from the New Zealand bowlers. The surface has a nice demerara sugar brown to it so the ball is coming on with no deviation. You can play the line of the ball."

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"For many years, the England team will have looked at info on par scores on this surface. But I think par scores have been ripped up on how teams are playing in ODI cricket. I was pleased listening to Jos Buttler, saying that they need to create an environment where 350 is the minimum."

The average first-inning score on this ground in ODIs is 214.

More from McClenaghan, a man who does a bit of catalogue modelling in the off-season to pay the bills. Don't we all? It's a decent over, just four singles and a wide from it. Time for drinks, with England in a strong position.

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

"It was a completely misjudged catch. It went to his right and he had to run about 10 metres, but he dropped it. He should have gone with two hands but the misjudgement and the fact he didn't move quickly enough meant he had to go with one. New Zealand are making mistakes because they are under pressure."

Sam Olsen: Very promising by England. I'm actually enjoying ODI for the first time after many, many years of being a Test addict.

Simon Goodall: Very refreshing this from England. Just hope I've not spoken too soon!

Root gets the old telescope arms out and nails McCullum into the stands at midwicket with a big slog-sweep. He tries to same next ball, doesn't quite get all of it, and is dropped again by Taylor on the boundary. The replay shows it was a very tough chance, Taylor made a lot of ground.

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

Image source, Getty Images

"Root has played a terrific innings. He is lucky to be there still, finding that gap. It is an out shot. But in the main he has played beautifully."

Rob, Chelmsford: "I do appreciate this start by England and it's great to see this positive new dawn. But the world weary England fan within me wonders just what NZ will do to us when they bat on this track. May God help us all....."

A change as Mitchell McClenaghan is brought into the attack for his first bowl of the day. He so nearly makes the breakthrough when he entices Root to edge one behind, but the ball flies between wicket-keeper and first slip and Root has fifty instead. What a reprieve for England, their key batsman missed by a slip cordon that caught everything during the Test series.

Image source, AFP

These two have to be the foundation of England's innings - they've done excellent work so far, but they need to stick in there and go big. Root in particular is playing with such authority that he will be a key wicket. A quieter over off McCullum, just four from it.