Brendon McCullum has a blast after Kiwis look edgy

But what an innings yesterday's run-a-ball 97 was, even if the man who compiled it reckoned that two-thirds of his journey was a real struggle and also suggested the extra-cover six he drilled off Stuart Broad may have been just about the only shot out of the middle of his bat.

"The first 50 or 60 runs I was just trying to battle it out," McCullum said. "The ball was going past the edge a lot and I had a bit of luck. It felt terrible."

But even then, he never allowed England's pace attack - with Jimmy Anderson and Broad outbowling player-of-the-year Ryan Sidebottom - to feel as though they were completely in charge, despite the ball continuing to nip around.

And when McCullum started to dominate during the final session of a day's play that did not begin until after lunch because of rain, New Zealand were close to pinching the honours.

"It takes a bit of bravery to play like that because you leave yourself open to criticism if it doesn't come off," he said. "But it's the way I like to play. It gives me the most satisfaction and, hopefully, it gives others satisfaction as well."

Having also driven Panesar for a six and hit 13 boundaries from all parts of the bat, New Zealand's vice-captain fell to England's spinner. But, after being 41 for three when he walked in and, later, 104 for five, the visitors were 203 for six when he trooped off, unfulfilled, just before bad light ended play.

"It's a bitter-sweet feeling," said McCullum. "I'm disappointed not to have made a hundred but I'm very proud to have stepped up [to the challenge] after moving up the order. In the end, I just missed a straight one. I worked out after an over they were extremely difficult batting conditions and you could be happy with an ugly innings so long as you got runs on the board." A few weeks ago McCullum was playing in the heat of India, trying to hit just about every ball out of the ground. The conditions and situation at Lord's could not have been more different.

"It is a huge change from playing Twenty20 cricket in India to playing the pure form of the game at Lord's," he said. "But that's the nature of the way it is these days and players will have to flip in and out of different modes.

"It's not so much a technical change, more a mental shift. But then it's easy to get up for a Test at Lord's because it's the pinnacle of the game."

The Kiwis were due to resume today on 208 for six when they might have been bowled out for 150. England helped the fightback by being a bit loose with the ball after tea and McCullum took splendid advantage.

Jacob Oram, who contributed only 23 to a sixth-wicket stand of 99, also deserved plenty of praise. Instead of even attempting to keep pace with McCullum, he dug in and lived to fight another day.

Anderson, meanwhile, wants to make it impossible for England to leave him out again. The 25-year-old fast bowler finished the day with figures of three for 42 and said: "I got the nod so I'm going out there to do my best and not give them the chance to leave me out of any games.

"There is something special about Lord's but I couldn't tell you why I've done well here. Hopefully, I can be positive throughout the series."