Herald cricket writer Andrew Alderson provides three observations from the second day of the first test between New Zealand and England.
Read more: Black Caps take control at Lord's
1. No.18 looms
Eight more runs would see Williamson become the 18th New Zealander to have his name etched on the Lord's honours board.
A customary murmur of appreciation came as he delivered consummate on-drives, back foot cover drives and pulls but there was angst on 92 in the penultimate over. He used his feet to Moeen Ali, the ball evaded his defences, and Jos Buttler missed the stumping.
A 10th test century before the age of 25 means Williamson 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.
2. An opening partnership of substance
Latham and Guptill's 148-run 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.
In New Zealand's perpetual search for opening consistency, they showed promise. The strike was rotated well by the left-hand/right-hand combination and they got into line behind deliveries with the limited lateral movement off the wicket.
New Zealand's had five century openings stands in England. The last came in 2004 between Mark Richardson and Stephen Fleming.
3. Against the odds
New Zealand would enter rare territory if they won. Across 130 tests and 131 years at the ground, only one team has lost after posting 389 or more in the first innings.
England made 425 in 1930, but succumbed to Australia who replied with 729 for six, including a Bradman 254.
Yesterday England sullied their cause. Debutant 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. Jubilation turned to consternation when a third umpire check revealed a no-ball.
Wood's still searching for his maiden wicket. Latham was also dropped by Ian Bell off Ben Stokes at second slip on 21 when the score was 53.
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