Cricket: A circus act of a session

James Anderson, centre, celebrates his 400th test wicket after dismissing Martin Guptill, caught by Ian Bell for 0, on the first day of the second test.

New Zealand slumped to two for two, before escalating at 4.92 runs an over to reach tea on 123 for three in a circus act of test cricket against England at Headingley.

After the initial shudder, Tom Latham anchored the innings with his seventh score of more than 50 in 20 innings, milking 51 runs off 86 balls after almost two hours at the crease.

The session's most entertaining element came with captain Brendon McCullum's arrival after Latham and Ross Taylor (20) delivered a 66-run resistance for the third wicket.

In what shaped as a personal vendetta after a golden duck in his second innings at Lord's and subsequent criticism of his team's aggressive approach, McCullum banished his first ball from Stuart Broad for six over cover. 'Bonkers' they might say in these parts... but with the utmost admiration. The Headingley crowd, often considered a tough gig, whooped in appreciation. McCullum bristled with intent, his fast-twitch fibres were on parade and he raced to 41 off 27 balls in a compelling three-quarters of an hour.
It wasn't always so rosy.

Martin Guptill became James Anderson's 400th test wicket in the third over.

He was caught by second slip Ian Bell for a duck as Anderson extended his reign as England's most successful wicket-taker and became the 12th bowler (and eighth quick) to reach the mark. His first spell finished with two for 28 from seven overs.

The dismissal left New Zealand two for one as the ground was doused in rain and the players left the field, almost reaching the boundary before Guptill.

Matters deteriorated further from a New Zealand perspective when Kane Williamson was caught behind two balls later, becoming Anderson's 401st victim. It left the visitors two for two. The national '26' complex, in reference to the side's lowest test score in 1955, started to fester.

Within 27 balls the initial crisis was averted as New Zealand eased to 30 for two. Latham successfully employed the Decision Review System in the sixth over when given out caught behind to a ball which clipped his thigh pad.

England won the toss. The wicket looked green, dry and not averse to batting.

Rain saw the first session washed out.

Regardless, a few hundred hardy folk anchored themselves in their seats with umbrellas up and coats buttoned given the expected 'high' of 12 degrees. They were rewarded with the entertainment later in the day.

Luke Ronchi debuted as New Zealand's 267th test cricketer. Corey Anderson's sore back saw him ruled out.

Ronchi enters with a first-class average of 38.42, 13 centuries, 296 catches and 13 stumpings in 83 matches.

He will play as the wicket-keeper and B-J Watling is selected as a specialist No.6 batsman who will run in the outfield.

Watling struggled to move freely with the gloves at training after injuring his right knee in the first test. He proved capable of a sustained batting practice following innings of 61 and 59.

The England XI remained unchanged.