James Anderson removed New Zealand's openers cheaply as England quickly undermined the visitor's chances of matching its own first innings of 232 in the first test at lord's on Friday.
New Zealand was 124-3 at the time of going to the press, discovering to its own discomfort why England had to grind at the crease in cold, overcast conditions made for swing.
With its last two wickets falling after lunch to Tim Southee, England scored no better than two runs per over against a ball swinging both ways and with shots dying in a slow outfield.
New Zealand, facing a better bowling attack, managed to muster 2.8 runs per over, the figure jumping after Ross Taylor joined Kane Williamson in the middle. Taylor, punishing anything short or wide, hit six boundaries in his 32 not out off 36 balls. Williamson was a more circumspect 11 not out off 54.
Along with their runs between the wickets, their partnership was worth 47, the best in the test, at nearly four an over, a cracking pace so far in the match.
Anderson dismissed Hamish Rutherford at the end of the first over. After Rutherford drove the fifth ball through cover to the fence, he attempted to block an outswinger around leg stump and gave a thin edge to England skipper Alastair Cook at first slip.
Graeme Swann at second slip caught Peter Fulton's edge in the seventh over, giving Anderson his 300th test wicket.
Anderson became the fourth Englishman to the milestone, which used to mean something when the last Englishman achieved it, Ian Botham (383) in 1992. With the wickets record at 800, Anderson became the 26th bowler to 300. He could yet pass Fred Trueman (307) in this test, and Bob Willis (325) this year.
Brief Scores
England: 232 (Jonny Bairstow 41, Joe Root 40, Jonathan Trott 39, Alastair Cook 32, Ian Bell 31; Tim Southee 4-58, Neil Wagner 3-70, Trent Boult 2-48) lead New Zealand: 127/3 (Ross Taylor 66; J Anderson 3/32) by 105 runs at stumps on Day 2.