It's not been a great start for Stokes, you have to say. His radar is off so the short ball tactic isn't really causing any problems for Latham or Conway.

On top of that, he oversteps and is called for another no-ball. An expensive couple of overs from the England skipper.

Jack Leach starts from the other end and, not for the first time, has the England fielders momentarily excited.

This time it is when Conway flicks the ball around the corner, in the air but just wide of Pope at backward short leg.

Stokes went down after bowling the last ball of that over, perhaps an issue with his knee?

We've seen this before, though, and it hasn't stopped him bowling eight, nine, 10 overs on the trot.

Stokes is no-balled after going too short again but it does not stop him banging it into the middle of the pitch.

Conway swings the next one away down towards fine leg, just short of the fielder.

And short again, too short and no-balled once more. That prompts a field change and an alteration to Stokes' approach. Fuller but expect more short stuff in his next over.

The field is set for it so it's no surprise that Ben Stokes starts with a bouncer.

He overcooks it, though, and it's called wide on height.

They're just about ready for the start of the evening session after Ben Stokes gathers his troops in a huddle.

Dan Lawrence is part of that huddle and Jimmy Anderson appears to still be off the field, hopefully that is nothing serious and he'll be back soon.

And... Stokes has taken his jumper off, he's going to bowl!

David Gower
Ex-England captain on BT Sport

England have bowled well but not brilliantly. It's one of those sessions where they've not bossed it or got what they wanted. A Test match has broken out and two sides are allowed to play in the same Test match.

Full credit to New Zealand. Two very fine batsmen who have really gritted their teeth, fought tooth and nail to stay there and played some great shots when they can.

You can sense frustration growing with England.

England will hope the break can work in their favour in a couple of ways.

Firstly, giving their bowlers a chance to put their feet up for 20 minutes and perhaps come up with a few tweaks to their plans.

Secondly, it might just break the rhythm and concentration of the New Zealand openers.

It makes sense in theory...

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BT Sport

Image source, Getty Images

They’ve not encountered this problem too many times under the Stokes-McCullum partnership so it’s just about negotiating the tricky periods of play.

Latham and Conway are now obviously in, playing against a ball that is still offering something sometimes.

But I think the difference is that when those edges have been found, they’re going down and wide which might be a slight technical adjustment from the New Zealanders, playing with softer hands and partly the pace of the pitch starting to die as the people on the ground predicted.

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BT Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Probably, New Zealand are finally showing what a good side they are and have been.

Led by Latham and Conway - we spoke at the beginning of the series about how good the top order is, they've got experience and their numbers, stacked up against England's numbers are far better on paper.

This is the first time they have managed to put a partnership together and they've looked in control.

Thanks, Tim.

Is that the first session that you can conclusively say that New Zealand have won in this series?

It’s been a great effort from Latham and Conway but England will feel that if they can break this stand, they can make further inroads quickly.

I'm off for a cup of tea myself.

I'll leave you in the hands of the redoubtable Sam Drury to guide you through the tea interval and beyond.

Tom Latham is able to see out the rest of Joe Root's over without further alarm.

That's tea at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand have reduced the deficit to 98 runs.

Latham is 72 not out and Devon Conway unbeaten on 53.

NZ 128-0published at 48.3 overs

48.3 overs

Devon Conway drives Joe Root and Ollie Pope, back in at silly mid-off, wears one his shin. Fortunately it looks like has some protective pads on.

Drift from Joe Root's second delivery, from round the wicket, into Devon Conway but the New Zealand opener is able to smoother the spin.

Brilliant work from Ollie Pope at short leg.

Tom Latham comes down the pitch to Jack Leach and looks to work one off his legs, the ball striking his pad.

Quick as flash Pope dives and fields the ball, attempting a speculative run out.

Last over before tea will be bowled by Joe Root.

Image source, Getty Images

The man with the most hundreds at the Basin Reserve is Martin Crowe (5), then Henry Nicholls and Kane Williamson (3).

Joe Root switches ends as Ben Stokes shuffles his pack again.

Ollie Pope is like a coiled spring crouching in front at silly mid-off, waiting for his reflexes to respond to a chance.

Nothing much forthcoming in that over from Root, though, with just a single to Devon Conway from it.

Jack Leach had the upper hand for the first five balls of that over, but he drops it short and Tom Latham pulls it clinically for four as Ollie Pope is forced to take evasive action at short leg.

Jack Leach, collar turned up, gets some encouragement from Ben Foakes. "Lovely that, Leachy" he shouts after his second delivery turns and bounces into Tom Latham's gloves.

Fourth ball and Latham goes for a big sweep but does not make contact.