Batsmen Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott both scored hundreds as England finished day one of the second Test on 267-2.
England were looking to right some wrongs when they went into the second Test against New Zealand at Wellington on Wednesday.
After being outplayed for much of the first drawn Test Alastair Cook’s men wanted to prove why they are ranked No.2 in the world.
The Kiwis won the toss and put the visitors into bat, and it wasn’t the best of starts when Cook lost his wicket with England on just 26 runs.
However, fellow opener Nick Compton and his new partner Jonathan Trott put on over 200 runs for the next wicket, with both men reaching their centuries.
Trott was the first to get to the milestone, followed quickly by Compton who was adding to the 117 he scored in his second innings at Dunedin.
After coming under some criticism about whether he should be in the side at all, the Somerset batsman did his talking with the bat, despite getting out shortly afterwards for exactly 100.
England will resume day two on 267-2, with new batsman Kevin Pietersen getting through an early lbw scare to reach 18 runs before close of play.
The performance was certainly a positive response for England after the Dunedin Test and although Cook himself failed to impress with the bat, he will be pleased with his side’s efforts.
Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum had decided that his side would bowl, if they won the toss, the day before the Wellington Test started. Yet with Trott and Compton regularly finding boundaries it would suggest the NZ skipper may have committed to his decision too early.
Day two of the second Test at the Basin Reserve will resume at 9.30pm GMT.
COMMENTS