Cricket: Black Caps v England, Headingley day one - 3 key observations

Opener Tom Latham anchored the innings for New Zealand on Day One. Photo / Getty Images

Herald cricket writer Andrew Alderson provides three observations from the first day of the second test between New Zealand and England.

1. Anderson's 400th and 401st wickets.

Momentum has been building towards Anderson's feat for weeks. He obliged by getting Martin Guptill to commit with the second ball of the third over. Guptill 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 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 raced from the field, almost reaching the boundary before Guptill.

Kane Williamson was caught behind two balls later with a ball he was forced to play just outside off stump. It left the visitors two for two, immediately giving England the ascendancy. The spirit of '26', New Zealand's world record lowest test score in 1955, was briefly awakened.

2. McCullum's opening six and subsequent cameo before tea.

In what shaped as a personal vendetta, after a golden duck in his second innings at Lord's and 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, considered a tough gig by some, whooped in appreciation after sitting huddled for so long waiting for play to start.

McCullum bristled with intent. His fast-twitch fibres were on parade in the north England chill as he raced to 41 off 27 balls in a compelling 45 minutes. He was out first ball after tea, mistiming a catch to mid-off. Still, his 55-run fourth-wicket stand with Latham gave New Zealand resolve and parity loomed by stumps.

3. Tom Latham and Luke Ronchi gel in 120-run sixth-wicket partnership.

After the initial shudder, Tom Latham anchored the innings with his seventh 50-plus score in 20 innings, milking 84 off 180 balls in almost four hours. He survived three dropped catches in eight balls getting from 72 to 77 and an lbw review a couple of overs prior. Latham also employed the Decision Review System in the sixth over when dismissed caught behind to a ball which clipped his thigh pad.

Ronchi, the country's 267th test player, was fearless in his application and uncompromising with bad balls. He came within 12 runs and 14 balls of the fastest century on debut with minimal unnecessary risk. It was the innings of a hardened professional who looked ready for this stage after 83 first-class matches, an average of 38.42 and 13 centuries.