Joe Root ridiculed over embarrassing moment in first Test against NZ

Joe Root offered a perfect display of the best and worst England's aggressive style of cricket has to offer in their Test clash against New Zealand in an action packed first day. Despite an entertaining but short-lived innings from Root, England enter day two well placed after a brave declaration late in the day.

The visitors were lead by Harry Brook (89) and Ben Duckett (84) on their way to 9-325 declared, before claiming three crucial wickets to close out day one. New Zealand batters Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls all fell late in the day to leave the hosts at a 3-37 crossroads.

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While the bold move to declare from England skipper Ben Stokes paid off with three cheap wickets, many observers felt the visitors could have assembled a much larger total than they did had the likes of Root been able to contribute more. The former skipper was out for 14 after attempting an ambitious lofted reverse sweep off the bowling of Kiwi paceman Neil Wagner.

He'd attempted the shot successfully earlier in his innings, lofting a Wagner delivery over the slips to the boundary. Wagner wasn't going to let it happen twice though, aiming further down the off side and drawing a mistimed shot from Root on the second attempt.

Root's dismissal left England delicately placed at 4-154, and prompted plenty of criticism from fans who, despite embracing the 'Bazball' style England has employed under coach Brendon McCullum, had expected a more circumspect approach from the former skipper on the first day of the Test.

Stokes' ambitious decision making was made easier by Brook and Duckett, who both batted with the kind of rampant tempo that defines their team. Brook came tantalisingly close to a fourth century in as many Tests, following his hat-trick of hundreds in Pakistan.

Duckett seized the initiative as he came within a few blows of becoming the first Englishman to make a ton in the opening session of a Test. There were a series of wild and wayward dismissals too, collateral damage in England's mission to redraw the rules of engagement.

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Black caps skipper Tim Southee sent the tourists in after winning the toss and quickly picked off Zak Crawley (4), ending a torturous 14-ball stay that saw him dropped in the first over and cleaned bowled off a Neil Wagner no-ball in the second.

Opening partner Duckett tucked into a series of drives and by the time he pinged his 10th boundary he had levelled the fastest half-century by an England opener, taking just 36 balls. Only six batters in history have scored a century in the first session of a Test, an exclusive club left intact when Duckett chipped debutant Blair Tickner to cover.

At the break England were 2-134. New Zealand hit back after regrouping, aided by some sloppy shots. Ollie Pope aimed a lavish drive at Southee on 42 and the nick was snapped up.

Root followed soon after, before Stokes (19) was caught at short midwicket off debutant Scott Kuggeleijn - but Brook quickly assumed control. After passing 50 he found an even higher gear, at one stage smashing 23 off seven balls from Kuggerleijn and Southee.

Wagner finally undid Brook with a short ball as the inside edge bounced up into Brook's backside and back on to the stumps. England hurried their innings to a rapid conclusion, before Stokes unleashed his seamers.

Robinson waited until first change but had almost instant success when he had Latham caught at short leg. Anderson then worked his magic under twilight, the prize scalp of Williamson coming after a smart DRS referral, before Crawley held on to Nicholls at slip - making partial amends for an earlier drop of Conway on nine.

with AAP

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