England made just the one change from the last Test with Olly Stone replacing Ollie Robinson – who was suspended from all international cricket pending an investigation into historic offensive tweets.
In addition, James Anderson starting his 162nd Test for England became England’s most capped Test cricketer.
New Zealand made six changes, many enforced as injured captain Kane Williamson was replaced by Will Young, with Tom Latham taking the armband in his absence.
Wicketkeeper BJ Watling was also ruled out and was replaced by Tom Blundell, while Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Daryl Mitchell and Ajaz Patel came in for Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Colin De Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner.
England win the toss and decide to bat at Edgbaston
Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat first on what was a clear day in Birmingham.
Dom Sibley and Rory Burns got off to a composed start and managed to make it through to the lunch break 67-0 without any scares.
In doing so, this was the first time two England openers had batted through an opening session at home without losing a wicket since Sir Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss in 2011 against India.
The tourists struck in the first over after lunch as Sibley nicked behind to Blundell with a simple catch.
Zak Crawley’s poor form continued as he played a very poor shot which was easily held by Mitchell in the slips.
The England collapse continued as New Zealand picked up the massive wicket of Root, scoring just four runs after another poor shot which was caught by Blundell, gifting Henry his second wicket and leaving England 85-3.
A smartly made 50 for Burns to continue his good start to the summer followed before Ollie Pope gifted as he nicked behind to Blundell at a delivery from Patel that looked a wide one.
Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence stabilise the innings
Dan Lawrence came in and together with Burns plugging away on 73 not out got England through to the tea break at 152-4.
Burns’ excellent innings ended on 81 as he tried to play at one too many and found the edge and Latham was down low splendidly to catch him.
James Bracey came in but was to suffer the same fate he did on his debut as he edged to Mitchell trying to play a big drive for a golden duck.
At 179-6 New Zealand had unlocked the England tail as Stone come out to bat on his home ground.
A top partnership of 47 between Lawrence and Stone took the hosts past 200 before Stone was out lbw from Patel’s bowling, he reviewed the decision but there was to be no reprieve.
Lawrence managed to stay in and hit a superb 67 to get to the close of play along with Mark Wood on 16 not out.
A mixed day for England which saw them collapse from 72-0 to 169-5 before a good comeback towards the end of the day with Lawrence.
By Josh Mann
