One-day specialist Styris cracked the final 40 of his unbeaten 87 in just 17 balls after Jacob Oram provided the innings with much-needed momentum.

Giant left-hander Oram followed a rapid hundred on this ground in the first Test with 52 from 40 balls as the New Zealanders pressed the accelerator towards the death.

Having been inserted after Kevin Pietersen won his first toss as an international captain, the tourists' top order struggled to impose themselves on a two-paced surface.

But Oram addressed the need for speed when he walked to the crease at 124 for four in the 32nd over. He went on to dominate a 77-run stand with Styris for the fifth wicket before holing out to long-on from off-spinner Graeme Swann's final delivery.

Once Oram departed the previously sedate Styris changed pace, hooking James Anderson for six to get to a 75-ball half-century and opening his shoulders to clatter the same bowler over cover.

It was an enormous blow into the top tier of the grandstand that stole the show, however, as Ryan Sidebottom's excellent early figures were given a makeover.

Dropped catches littered England's fielding display - although only one of the four was a straightforward opportunity - as they arguably missed suspended captain Paul Collingwood in that department.

The final 10 overs reaped 96 runs in fact as the Kiwis made the most of their wickets in hand.