England vs New Zealand: Second Test latest

NZ 1st innings 381-9; England 150-4

Cook was adjudged lbw by umpire Simon Taufel after making 19 although television replays indicated the delivery from Iain O'Brien would have gone over the leg stump after it had cut back sharply.

But then Cook's opening partner Andrew Strauss and skipper Michael Vaughan, fresh from his century in the opening Test at Lord's, dropped anchor in the face of some accurate bowling to take England onto 76 for one.

That was in reply to New Zealand's impressive total of 381 of which Taylor contributed an unbeaten 154 from just 176 balls with five sixes and 17 fours.

The 24-year-old took a heavy toll on a flagging England attack as the Kiwis, who resumed on 202 for four after a truncated opening day, scored at more than four an over.

Taylor celebrates his second Test century

That followed on from Taylor's 120 against England at Hamilton in March - his maiden Test hundred.

The tourists' position would have been healthier but for two needless run-outs of Jacob Oram and skipper Daniel Vettori in the space of three balls during a Stuart Broad over.

And their innings had to end with only nine wickets down after Daniel Flynn, who required dental surgery after being struck by a short delivery from James Anderson on Friday, was unable to continue his innings.

England began the day by continuing their policy of subjecting Oram to a series of short-pitched deliveries.

Taylor had been unbeaten on 67 overnight and he continued in the same impressive vein as he reeled off a series of boundaries against Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom.

Oram continued to look unconvincing and top-edged a short ball from Broad on 33 but wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose could not hold onto the difficult chance.

Daniel Vettori (left) is run out

The 100 partnership between Taylor and Oram came up in only 22 overs and the latter had another let-off on 34 when he miscued a one-handed shot against Monty Panesar only for James Anderson to drop the difficult chance.

Soon after there appeared little danger when Taylor pushed Broad to Cook at point and set off for what looked like a comfortable single.

But Oram hesitated slightly and was a foot out of his ground when the direct throw hit the stumps.

Two balls later Vettori after coming back for a second run. He made his ground comfortably enough but failed to ground his bat or any part of his body when Ambrose removed the bails.

Taylor found a willing ally in Kyle Mills who dominated a seventh-wicket stand of 89 in 20 overs in reaching a career-best 57 from 78 balls.

After reaching his century Taylor opened up to such an extent that his third 50 came off only 42 balls.

Mills eventually chopped a delivery from Anderson onto his stumps and the Lancashire paceman cleaned up the tail by dismissing O'Brien and Chris Martin to improve his previously woeful figures.

After Cook's dismissal, England had a let-off when Strauss (30) was put down at slip by Taylor off Vettori but it was a rare blemish.