Root century rescues England

Joe Root scored a superb maiden Test century on his home ground to give England's innings a much-needed backbone on day two against New Zealand.

The Yorkshireman lit up the second Investec Test with a knock of grace and skill at Headingley.

Root's 104 from 167 balls left England on 286 for seven following the subsequent dismissals of Jonny Bairstow and Stuart Broad - a significant improvement on the 67 for three the home side had when the 22-year-old arrived at the crease.

Root was furious when he fell to Trent Boult's first delivery with the new ball, but will come to remember his homecoming for a remarkably mature innings.

Root's county colleague Bairstow also added 64 before he too succumbed to Boult, with Broad soon following for a duck.

The morning session was an unevenly paced affair, comprising an early breakthrough and two late strikes.

In between, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott forged a workmanlike stand of 56 that seemed destined to continue long into the afternoon only for both men to fall to successive balls.

The out-of-form Nick Compton was first to fall, managing only one before he played away from his body and edged Tim Southee to the alert Dean Brownlie at third slip.

He will need a significant score in the second innings if he is to quiet speculation over his Ashes place.

Ian Bell made 30 before he was defeated by Kane Williamson's occasional spin.