New Zealand bowler Nathan Smith celebrates with team mates Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell after running out England's Harry Brook. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
After a day which saw 15 wickets fall, 366 runs scored and a some classic test theatre play out, the tone has been set for a thrilling second clash between New Zealand and England.
The Kiwis dismantled the English top order, all while Harry Brook produced a blazing century, his second successive, as his comrades crumbled around him.
But after 54 enthralling overs, more drama followed as the second act commenced, the Black Caps also battling with the Basin deck.
Seriously struggling at stumps at 86/5 still 194 runs behind, a memorable morning with the ball made way for another Black Caps' batting horror show.
With New Zealand winning the toss and opting to bowl, the carnage quickly unfolded.
The tourists were rocked with four early wickets, Matt Henry claiming the first two scalps as skipper Tom Latham regained some catching confidence as he snaffled one at slip.
Henry then got one through the gate and sent Crawley packing after a scoring a quickfire dozen.
Nathan Smith got in on the action, dismissing Root for three as Daryl Mitchell nabbed one handed ripper to have England 23/3.
Smith then removed Bethell for 16 after another nick behind into the gloves of Tom Blundell to make it 43/4.
Enter Harry Brook, centurion in Christchurch, to stem the damage with a blistering counter attack.
Along with Oli Pope, Brook clobbered the kiwis around the park, bringing up a consecutive century, this one off just 91 balls.
He and Pope combined for 174 crucial runs off just 159 balls.
However, the resistance was broken when Will O'Rourke entered the fray, Pope sending one skyward to the waiting hands of Rachin Ravindra.
England's Ben Stokes reacts after being dismissed on the first day of the second cricket test between New Zealand and England at the Basin Reserve. Photo: Photosport
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes followed soon after, O'Rourke taking three wickets to once again have England reeling.
Brook threatened to undo the home side's brilliant start, but was run out by Nathan Smith for 123, leaving the English 259 for 7 at tea.
And they would not last long.
New Zealand mopped up the tail with little difficulty, the last three batsmen falling for 17 runs, Smith claiming the final, and his fourth wicket of the innings.
After a conservative start with the bat by both Devon Conway and Latham, Conway's woes continued when he edged one to the slip cordon.
Kane Williamson hit a four off his first ball and was then given a major reprieve.
Williamson was clean bowled on 20, only for him to get a second life as English seamer Brydon Carse overstepped with a no-ball.
Latham lost his middle stump to Ben Stokes for 17, bringing Rachin Ravindra to the middle, but he would not last long either as Carse snagged a stunning grab to dismiss the local hero.
Williamson was unable to make the most of his second chance, caught behind off Carse for 37.
Daryl Mitchell did not trouble the scoresheet much, out just an over later for four, now the Kiwis in strife at 80/5.
Tom Blundell and O'Rourke survived to stumps, the curtain coming down on an absolutely batty day at the Basin.
Play resumes at 11am.
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