Two century partnerships rekindled New Zealand's dominance over England on the second day of the first test at Lord's.
The visitors are 303 for two at stumps, 86 runs behind.
A 148-run stand between openers Tom Latham (59) and Martin Guptill (70) was halted by their dismissals within three balls but Kane Williamson (92) and Ross Taylor (47) sustained the impetus, making 155 in an unbeaten third wicket partnership.
Eight more runs would see Williamson become the 18th New Zealander on the Lord's honours board. A 10th century before the age of 25 means he would join the select group of Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Alastair Cook, Garry Sobers, Neil Harvey, Graeme Smith and Javed Miandad who have done likewise or better.
Each of New Zealand's top four benefited from getting into line behind deliveries with limited lateral movement off the wicket.
"The bowlers took the remaining [England] wickets quickly," Guptill said. "Then our partnerships cemented our dominance of the day. It was pleasing to score a few runs, but the partnership Tom and I created really set the game up for us before Kane and Ross picked up where we left off."
Latham and Guptill's stand was the second highest by a New Zealand opening pair at Lord's, falling short of the 185 set by John Wright and Trevor Franklin in 1990.
Williamson and Taylor's stand was the third highest for the third wicket at the ground, behind Martin Crowe and Bruce Edgar's 210 in 1986 and Bevan Congdon and Brian Hastings' 190 in 1973.
A customary murmur of appreciation came as Williamson delivered consummate on-drives, back foot cover drives and pulls while Taylor played the innings of a professional, working myriad singles off his legs and behind point. His vulnerable moment came on 20 when he survived a lbw review off Jimmy Anderson. The DRS ruled the ball was hitting leg stump, but with more than half missing. Umpire Ravi was vindicated.
The day was not without further drama. Five balls during the middle session spun the match into a state of flux.
Moeen Ali delivered the catalyst for change, trapping Latham lbw. Two balls later, in Stuart Broad's over, Guptill blasted a drive to Gary Ballance at cover. Taylor's first ball resulted in a shout for lbw, which Hawkeye suggested was going over, and three subsequent leg byes. Then Williamson dabbed his opening delivery into the covers for a single which would have seen Taylor run out at the striker's end if Broad had hit.
The scenario was a reflection of the test's wider ebb and flow.
Earlier, New Zealand dismissed England for 389.
Statistics suggest the visitors would head into rare territory if they won. Across 130 tests and 131 years at the ground, only one team has lost after posting more than 389 on the first innings.
England made 425 in 1930, but succumbed to Australia who replied with 729 for six, including a Bradman 254.
Led by Trent Boult with two wickets, England only added 35 runs from overnight.
Looking refreshed, Boult attacked the crease to get Ali (58) and Broad (3) caught behind.
Matt Henry snaffled Jimmy Anderson caught and bowled for 11. That left Boult and Henry one wicket short of a place on the dressing room honours board. Boult finished with four for 79 from 29 overs; Henry took four for 93 from 24.5.
In the pre-match warm-up wicket-keeper B-J Watling failed a fitness test but is expected to bat. His right knee swelled up when a Henry delivery hit on the first day. Latham's makeshift work with the gloves across 74.5 overs proved competent. He conceded 15 byes but took sound catches of Joe Root, Ali and Broad.
England pace bowler Mark Wood suffered the biggest disappointment when New Zealand were 40 without loss. Guptill snicked a shorter length ball to Alastair Cook at first slip on 24. The jubilation turned to consternation when a third umpire check revealed a no-ball.
Wood's still searching for his maiden wicket. Latham was dropped by Ian Bell at second slip on 21 when the score was 53.
"We didn't field well," Ali said. "If we'd taken our chances it would be a different game but it's a flat pitch when the sun's out. Tomorrow the key is to get the new ball [four overs away] and take two to three wickets early."
Guptill batted with a black armband out of respect to his wife's grandfather who died recently.
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