Anderson makes inroads after England’s bold declaration in New Zealand

There is more than one way to climb Mount Maunganui. For glorious views of Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, take either the slow and steady base track or for a quicker ascent, albeit with more puff required, charge up the steep stairs of the summit track.

The recent heavy rains of Cyclone Gabrielle meant both paths were shut off from the public until the first morning of this day-night first Test against world champions, New Zealand. Even so, it’s not hard to imagine the route this current England team would have chosen had the opportunity presented itself this week.

Marching up the summit path means more stumbles along the way, however, and on a rollicking opening day at the picturesque Bay Oval – one that saw supporters line its grass banks and enjoy a festival atmosphere – this proved the case out in the middle.

England scored at five-and-a-half runs per over after Ben Stokes lost the toss on a green-tinged pitch and admitted he was clueless as to his intentions, a rate in keeping with their revival over the last nine months. It was powered by Harry Brook muscling 89 from 81 balls to follow an equally punchy 68-ball 84 from Ben Duckett.

But come the final session, with storm clouds having rumbled away in the distance all afternoon, it was the hosts who were battling it out under lights. The regular fall of wickets had prompted Ben Stokes to declare on 325 for nine from 57.3 overs with 90 minutes to go, and ask his seamers to get the pink Kookaburra talking.

Only once before had a Test captain pulled out earlier in a first innings – Pakistan’s Intikhab Alam after 44.5 overs at Lord’s back in 1974 – and the end result was a position of strength as the hosts closed on 37 for three. Ollie Robinson winkled out Tom Latham to