Lyth century before NZ fightback at Headingley

New Zealand 350

England 253 - 5 (after day two)

The headlines may have been made by England on day two of the second Test, but New Zealand are still very much in the game after a spirited fightback by their impressive bowlers. England's batsmen will resume on day three still 97 runs behind, with now just five wickets in hand. Adam Lyth's maiden Test century, as part of a splendid century opening partnership with Alastair Cook, looked to be taking his team towards a first innings lead. Yet, late wickets from the tourists have brought the outcome of the Headingley Test back into the balance.

Cook went past Gooch's record

Cook duly overtook his mentor Graham Gooch as his country's leading run-scorer in Tests, with a typically resolute knock of 75. Gooch's record of 8,900 runs had stood since 1995. That was perhaps a side issue on the day, given his age and the likelihood that he will go on to score many more runs in the future. Yet the media focus seemed to be on that milestone, in much the same way as James Anderson was hailed when surpassing Ian Botham recently as the nation's leading wicket-taker in Tests. Cook deserves the plaudits for his achievement nonetheless.

Century opening stand

Probably just as pleasing for Cook and England was the solid stand of 177 for the opening wicket.

Maybe they have finally found Cook's partner for the Ashes in the form of Yorkshire's Lyth. It was something of a surprise then when Cook was dismissed, attempting to sweep the spinner Mark Craig and being trapped LBW bang in front. It took a review to confirm the decision, but the captain was gone.

Lyth's century

New Zealand sensed their chance and their skipper Brendon McCullum applied the squeeze to Lyth and his new partner, fellow Yorkshireman Gary Ballance.

Lyth temporarily broke the shackles to grab his century, showing aggression to hit two fours to reach three figures. Cue rapturous applause from the locals, as one of their own had succeeded on his home patch. He had rode his luck somewhat just before, as a defensive shot off Tim Southee led to the ball trickling against the stumps.

A sharp intake of breath later, the bails remained in place and his innings continued.

Fall of wickets

Lyth and Balance had put on 38 for the second wicket when Lyth was run out by Trent Boult for 107. It sparked a succession of late wickets that took the gloss off what had looked likely to be a good day for England. Instead, Ballance (29) was bowled by Boult to reduce his side to 238-3, closely followed by Joe Root's dismissal for 1. When Lord's hero Ben Stokes became Boult's second wicket for 6, England had slumped to 247-5.

The tail 'wagged'

Earlier in the day, New Zealand had added what may prove to be a costly 53 runs (for England) for their final two wickets. Matt Henry (27) and Boult (15) demonstrated that their tail is perhaps not as long as first thought, with Craig (41) remaining unbeaten.

They finished on a healthy 350 all out, a total that had looked way beyond their aspirations at 2-2 on the first day. For the England bowlers it was a disappointing finish, with Stuart Broad taking perhaps his most expensive 5-wicket haul ever, leaking 109 runs off just 17.1 overs.