England started the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's with revenge in mind following the disappointing drawn series with the same side in the winter.
The hosts elected to bat first but struggled to score at a high rate as the New Zealand bowler impressed in the morning session.
Nick Compton (16), Alastair Cook (32) and Jonathan Trott (39) all made starts but fell short of making a noteworthy score, with Trent Boult taking two wickets.
Neil Wagner removed Ian Bell (31) in the evening session as England were reduced to 160-4 before rain brought play to a premature end.
Read below to see how New Zealand took control on day one.
Forget Christmas. Forget birthdays. It's everyone's favourite day of the year. That's right, the English Test summer begins this morning and what a summer it promises to be.
Australia will arrive later in the summer for a mouth-watering series but the Ashes can wait, it's New Zealand who take centre stage alongside England this month.
BREAKING NEWS: England win the toss and choose to bat first.
It was less than two months ago when Matt Prior produced a stunning performance to salvage a draw from the series in New Zealand. England once again enter the series as favourites but Alastair Cook will be wary of the threat posed by the tourists.
ENGLAND: Cook, Compton, Trott, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Prior, Broad, Swann, Finn, Anderson
NEW ZEALAND: Fulton, Rutherford, Williamson, Taylor, Brownlie, McCullum, Watling, Southee, Wagner, Boult, Martin
Those teams are pretty much as expected. Tim Bresnan misses out despite recovering from an elbow problem, with Steven Finn being named as the third pace bowler.
New Zealand have stuck with the team that surprised many in the reverse series earlier this year. Martin Guptill is fit again but he can't edge out the Hamish Rutherford or Peter Fulton at the top of the order.
It's a beautiful morning at the home of cricket so there's no surprise Cook elected to bat first. However, the forecast for the rest of the game isn't great which means that a big first innings total could be crucial.
England have a big summer ahead of them. The ICC Champions Trophy separates this series and the one against the Australians. If Cook and Andy Flower are to achieve success in the next few months, a good start at Lord's is vital.
New Zealand's bowling attack are very good. We saw that in the winter. However, these conditions are very different to the ones they experienced in Auckland and Dunedin. Brendon McCullum suggested his side would have bowled first anyway so it will be interesting to see how the morning develops.
Were England complacent in New Zealand? Cook doesn't think so but it would be a surprise if the hosts were to start as poorly as they did down under. Crucial first morning of the Test and we're just under 10 minutes away from play.
The sun is out and despite the time, I'm sure the glasses of Pimm's are out too. It can only mean thing, it's time for the first Test of the summer. I'll be here to talk you through the whole day so make sure you stick around. Let's play!
Cook is out of the dressing room with his opening partner Nick Compton. These two will be hoping for an error-free morning session. Trent Boult will bowl the first over of the match.
Boult struggles to find his length early in the over as he forces Watling into two difficult takes either side of the wicket. Boult sends down a no ball midway through the over. Cook does well to pull his bat away from a much better delivery later on and it's a maiden to start the day.
Tim Southee opens the bowling with Boult but his start is similar to his teammate's as he strays down the leg-side. Compton is struck on the pads but the ball would have easily missed the stumps. The batsman plays a good shot to mid-on but for no run and he's then beaten by a beauty that just moves away from the bat. Big swing from Southee but Compton times his drive well to collect three runs.
Boult brings one back sharply early in the over but Compton takes the hit and gets his bat away from danger. Prior, Broad and Swann have just walked around the rope after a net session. England will be hoping the trio aren't needed to bat today. Back on the pitch Boult beats the outside edge to complete a maiden over.
Cook's technique looks as excellent as ever, with the skipper earning two with a push straight past mid-off. Southee is giving the ball plenty of chance to swing but Cook's eagerness to play his shot late gives the opener another run on the off-side.
Boult drops his length slightly and tempts Cook into a wild swing outside off-stump. Luckily for Cook, there's no edge involved. The England captain retreats following the error and negotiates a maiden.
Superb from Compton as he drives through the vacant cover region for three runs midway through Southee's over. Southee wants the ball to come back into Cook but the movement isn't drastic enough to burst through the batsman's defence. There's an optimistic appeal for lbw from the final ball but the delivery clearly pitched outside the line of leg-stump.
Boult strays onto the pads and he's punished for his inaccuracy as the ball races away for four leg-byes. Watling does brilliantly to collect another wayward delivery down the leg-side. Seven overs gone and it's a steady start from everyone at Lord's.
Perfect timing on show as Cook whips the ball through square-leg for four runs. Southee responds well by beating the outside edge of the batsman on two occasions. Cook flicks two more through mid-wicket to make it six from the over.
It looks a good pitch for batting at Lord's, which is quite often the case. England will be quietly confident of posting a good total over the next couple of days. Boult finds a brilliant line to make Compton play at one just outside off-stump. Good running from the England duo as Compton sneaks a single to keep the strike and ruin a potential maiden over.
Southee is trying to change his position on the crease to tempt Compton into a false drive but the bowler can't get his length right. There are signs that this ball is beginning to swing more now that the new shine is off. Compton pulls a short one behind square to collect a single before Cook is forced to dig one away from his stumps. The skipper then pushes the ball through cover to pick up two more runs.
First change of the morning as Neil Wagner comes into the attack to replace Boult. The left-arm seamer immediately finds some movement but Compton expertly flicks the ball into the leg-side for one. Too much width later in the over but Wagner is not punished as Cook cuts the ball straight to Rutherford at point. Cook then slices one through the cover to pick up three from the final ball.
Cook is being tested by Southee now as the pace bowler swings four deliveries back into the pads. Southee attempts to send one across the left-handed batsman but he gets his length wrong and Cook is happy to leave. Maiden over.
Compton pushes a single into the off-side at the start of Wagner's new over before Cook is forced into an awkward shot by an in-swinging delivery. No awkwardness from the next delivery as Cook cuts the ball powerfully for four runs. Wagner struggles to find the consistency in the over, five runs scored.
Southee's movement could be a concern to the batsmen, with the bowler forcing the England duo into playing more often in the last couple of overs. Compton is hit on the pads towards the end of the over but he's safe and it's a maiden.
Cook is ticking along nicely now as he pushes a single through the off-side. Compton times a shot well to pick up three runs straight down the ground. Wagner almost sneaks one through the gate but Compton keeps it out. Solid hour for England. Get yourself a cup of tea, it's time for drinks.
New Zealand have bowled pretty well this morning but they'll be desperate for a wicket before lunch. England look comfortable at the moment. Boult is thrown the ball and he'll return to the attack.
Boult is slightly too short as Compton nudges two runs to fine leg off his hip. They are the only runs from the over. Good crowd in at Lord's today but let's hope this weather stays.
Bizarrely, Trott is sitting on the balcony looking at a map. Strange time to be planning a trip, don't you think? Southee does well in the deep to restrict Cook to two runs following a flick off the pads.
Boult attempts to surprise Compton with a short ball but the opener is alert to pull the ball behind square for a single. The bowler oversteps the mark and is punished for a no ball. It's a poor over from Boult, who struggles to force the batsmen into playing.
Wagner delivers a wide full toss at the start of the over but Compton can't make enough contact with the ball to give the delivery the punishment it deserved. Compton attempts an cover drive but picks out mid-off. Maiden over.
Decent over from Boult, who offers Cook minimal freedom to complete a maiden. England scoring at just over two runs an over at the moment.
McCullum decides it's time for spin as he brings on Bruce Martin. Good start from the slower bowler when he beats Compton's outside edge. Martin gives the ball plenty of flight throughout the over and it's a nice maiden to begin the match with for the spinner.
Wagner continues with the ball and he soon finds Cook's inside edge but the hosting skipper is safe. Cook throws his bat at a fuller ball but his timing is off and it's another dot ball. It's another maiden from New Zealand.
WICKET! COMPTON (16) C SOUTHEE B MARTIN
New Zealand make the breakthrough but it's a very strange dismissal. Compton may have been feeling the pressure of an extended run of dot balls as he marches down the pitch to slice the ball into the air, with Southee taking the catch at point. Martin did find some spin but that's a poor shot.
Jonathan Trott is the new batsman and he's soon on strike when Cook pushes the ball through the off-side for three runs. Trott defends his first two balls easily.
Cook strokes the ball through the covers for two midway through Wagner's over. McCullum blocks another shot to cover to prevent a run being taken by his opposite number.
Big chance put down by Martin! Trott hits one straight back at the bowler but he can't hold on as he dives to his right. Martin gives Trott a big lifeline with the batsman on zero. Maiden over from the spinner and Trott will be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
Cook moves to 28 with a well timed push straight down the ground. Wagner puts in some extra effort later in the over but it only results in him falling over during his action. McCullum makes a mistake at cover but retrieves the ball quickly enough to prevent a single from being taken. Steady stuff from England just before lunch.
Trott is intent on not taking another risk before lunch as Martin continues to probe outside off-stump. There's a hint of spin for the bowler but nothing too drastic so early in the match. Maiden over.
Wagner's pace is no threat to Cook as the England skipper pulls the ball away for a single. Trott squeezes one away from his off stump, with Wagner's ability to swing the ball clearly causing a problem. One more over before lunch.
Martin is happy to leave a man in the deep on the off-side as Cook picks the fielder out with a cut for a single. Trott is finally off the mark and he does it with style as he crunches the ball through the covers for four. Five from the final over of the session.
LUNCH: It's been a steady morning for both sides at Lord's. Compton will still be shaking his head in the dressing room following the shot that ended his innings. Only three boundaries off the bat in the session but Cook will be confident of making more progress in the afternoon session.
New Zealand will be happy with their work this morning. Join me in around 35 minutes to see if the tourists can take a few more wickets.
Welcome back everyone. Slow morning, wasn't it? Compton's dismissal took the shine off a solid morning for England and Martin once again proved that he can threaten this batting lineup. However, will he live to regret dropping Trott while the batsman was on zero.
Cook looks as steady as ever at the crease today and he'll be eyeing a big score. New Zealand need more from their pace bowlers, who each bowled well at different stages in the morning.
Cook and Trott are back out in the middle now. It will be Southee who begins proceedings this afternoon. Important session coming up for both sides.
Cook is eager to get forward to negate the threat posed by Southee's movement. The England skipper attempts to whip the ball through the leg-side but can only pick out the fielder. Maiden over.
Boult brings one back into Trott and strikes the pad but it's too high to be considered as a realistic lbw shout. The right-handed batsman flicks the ball off his hip for a single. Massive appeal later in the over against Cook but the umpire shakes his head. McCullum decides to use one of his reviews but DRS shows that the ball would have only just clipped the stumps, meaning that the decision stays with the umpire. Very unlucky for Boult and New Zealand.
Trott takes a single early in Southee's over, bringing Cook on strike to block five deliveries. Good start from New Zealand after lunch.
Clever work from Trott as he nudges one into the leg-side to hurry a single. Cook stays in defensive mode as the run-rate slips below 1.8 an over. We're being treated to some old fashioned Test cricket today.
There's a sound down the leg-side as Watling takes a good catch. plenty of shouts from the New Zealand players but replays prove that the deflection came from Trott's pad. Southee then gets one two swing back but the ball does too much, meaning Trott is safe from lbw. Trott loosens up outside off-stump to drive the ball through the covers for four but it's a good over from Southee.
Easy for Trott as he flicks the ball away for a single before Cook adds two more with a simple push down the ground.
WICKET! COOK (32) C WATLING B BOULT
Big wicket! Cook was looking very comfortable at the crease but Boult finds the perfect length to catch the outside edge, with Watling taking a very good low catch. Ian Bell in next for the hosts.
England need to keep the scoreboard ticking over if they are to relieve some of the pressure. Southee delivers a shorter ball but it doesn't threaten Trott. The same batsman flicks the ball to mid-wicket but picks out the fielder in the process. It's a maiden for Southee.
Bell is off the mark with his first ball thanks to a nudge to fine leg. Superb from Trott as he punches the ball wide of mid-off to collect four runs. Five from the over.
Bell flirts with two Southee deliveries before wisely choosing to pull his bat away. It's another really good over from Southee, who seems to be finding the perfect line outside off-stump before attempting to surprise the batsman with a straight delivery. Bell collects two runs from the final ball with an open-faced shot to third man.
Great shot from Bell as he whips the ball through mid-wicket for three runs. Boult is too straight a few deliveries later, with Bell sending the ball to the rope at fine leg. A wayward delivery somehow reaches Ross Taylor at first slip and he does well to prevent any byes from being gifted to England.
Trott nudges a single from Southee's first ball of a new over, with Bell defending the next four deliveries before adding another run. Steady stuff from both sides. New Zealand know that one more wicket will expose the two players who are desperate to secure their place in the England side.
Martin is back into the attack and he'll be targeting Trott. The batsman is very fortunate when he swings across the line, with the ball almost running onto the stumps. Maiden over, good return for the spinner.
Wagner is brought on by McCullum and immediately finds a bit of movement outside Bell's off-stump. The batsman nods approvingly before being struck on the front pad later in the over. Too high to be given I reckon and for once, I'm proven right. Time for a drinks break.
Martin has the ball in hand after the break. The spinner persists with his tactic of giving the ball flight but Trott won't be tempted into another false shot. Maiden over, Martin has bowled seven overs for the cost of only eight runs.
Bell flicks Wagner away for a single to move into double figures. Trott adds two more with a shot to mid-wicket but a loud call from Bell prevents a third from being scored. A fuller delivery allows Trott to show his attacking side as he drives powerfully for four runs.
Martin is frustrated as he drops his length but Bell can't work the ball away to punish the bowler. When the spinner is too full, Bell happily flicks the ball through the leg-side for two runs. Inconsistent over from the spinner.
Poor bowling from Wagner as he delivers a full no-ball, with Trott taking advantage by steering it away behind point for a boundary. Much better from the England duo out in the middle.
Martin races through a maiden over to Bell, who has looked very comfortable since his arrival at the crease. New Zealand will be pretty happy at the moment but would love another wicket before tea.
Trott pushes Wagner through the off-side for a single to get to the non-striker's end early in a new over. Good reply from the bowler, who delivers five dot balls following the run.
Trott drills the ball at Williamson, who is parked at short-leg, midway through Martin's over. A shorter ball gives Trott space to cut but Southee does superbly at point to ensure that Martin completes his seventh maiden in 10 overs.
England seem to be stuck at one pace at the moment, with the run-rate currently stuck on 2 an over. Bell brings up the three figures with two through mid-wicket before executing a magnificent cover drive to collect four more. Better from England.
Very poor from Martin as Trott sends a juicy full toss to the rope on the leg-side for another boundary. England may have started to think about increasing the run-rate, with Trott adding three more runs past mid-on.
Wagner comes round the wicket to bowl at Trott now the swing seems to have disappeared. The new tactic doesn't produce a breakthrough but the bowler does complete a maiden.
Martin gets it wrong again as he delivers another full toss but Trott can only pick out the fielder this time. The spinner readjusts and records another maiden.
Boult is back for a new spell and will be interesting to see how he bowls without the movement he relied on this morning.
WICKET! TROTT (39) C BROWNLIE B BOULT
Well, that's how you take a wicket without the swing. Boult delivers a beauty that lifts and catches the edge of Trott, who was completely perplexed by the ball. Brownlie takes a fantastic low catch at third slip and New Zealand have their third wicket of the day.
Joe Root is the new batsman and he safely negotiate his first ball. You can't praise Boult enough for the delivery to dismiss Trott. Superb pace bowling.
Bell knows that tea is just round the corner and he's happy to defend against Wagner. It's a maiden and Root will have one over to face before the break.
Boult fires one in sharply early in the over but Root keeps the ball down. There's plenty of talk around the bat but it soon stops when Boult concedes a leg-bye. England survive the over and it's time for tea.
TEA: It's definitely been New Zealand's session. The priceless wickets of Cook and Trott have been taken by the tourists and England are under plenty of pressure as we approach the final session of the day.
That third wicket, especially, has really made this day an intriguing one at tea. England have batted slowly and that would be fine but they cannot afford to lose too many more wickets. Bell's role is very important to the hosts. He's sometimes accused of not scoring runs when it matters but he's got a great opportunity to prove some of his critics wrong.
OK, someone very important may have retired but that doesn't mean you can lose focus. We've got one session left in the day and it's set to be a cracker. Will England launch a counter attack?
Root's three previous scores this season in first-class cricket are 179, 236 and 182. So I think it's fair to say that he's heading into this game in pretty good form.
The players have eaten their cake, drunk their tea and now they're back out on the field. Very light rain around Lord's at the moment but we're ready to begin. Martin will bowl the first over of the final session under the lights which have just been switched on.
Root is off the mark with a cut for one just in front of point. Martin loses his length but Bell can't pick the gap with a cut shot of his own. Bell then moves well in his crease to flick the ball away for a couple.
Boult continues his spell from before lunch and he's decided to pull his length back slightly for Root. The new batsman looks pretty comfortable though and plays out a maiden.
Following a brief delay due to a steward's position next to the sight-screen, Martin breezes through another and like much of his today, it's a maiden.
Root finds the rope for the first time today when Boult strays onto the pads midway through the over. Perfect example of Root's class as he waits until the last second to drive the ball past extra cover for two more runs.
Martin gives the ball some flight outside off-stump, with Bell flashing his bat at the delivery without success. A bye is the result in the end, luckily for Bell. Root hammers another cut shot but can only pick out the fielder.
Southee is back into the attack to replace Boult. The seamer finds a tight line in the over but there's little encouragement from the ball. A thick edge from Bell squirms away for two runs on the leg-side and they are the only blemish on a decent return for Southee.
It's getting very dark around Lord's, so don't be surprised if there's a heavy shower coming.
Root refuses to be surprised by the quicker ball from Martin as he deflects the ball away from his stumps. McCullum comes in at silly point but that doesn't discourage Root as he drills the ball through extra cover for three.
Root nudges the ball in front of point to get off strike early in Southee's over. Bell pushes the ball into the leg-side but can't force a single. A leg-bye is taken to fine leg before Southee fails to surprise Root with a tame bouncer.
Tidy over from Martin, who has bowled with great control all day. Bell fights the urge to use his feet and defends a maiden.
Slow progress from England as Root blocks another over. At some point England will have to put their foot down but the rain could stop that plan soon.
Interesting decision from McCullum as he brings on Kane Williamson, the part-time spinner who caused England plenty of problems in Auckland less than two months ago. He serves up an awful ball and Bell gratefully accepts the gift by cutting in front of point for four. Williamson does recover after the bad start to send down five dot balls but England may target the spinner.
Martin comes straight back into the attack, meaning it's spin from both ends for the tourists. Root sweeps a full toss behind square to collect two runs before driving powerfully at McCullum, who makes the block at cover.
Bell dances down the pitch but some sharp turn means the ball deflects off the pad for a leg-bye. Root is showing plenty of intent at the crease but he's struggling for a bit of timing at the moment.
Bell displays his shot-playing ability on either side of the pitch but he can't pick the gap. Martin oversteps the mark to gift an extra to the England total and that's the only blemish on a good over.
Williamson puts together a very good over but his work is ruined when Root sweeps the ball behind square for four runs. Classy shot from the Yorkshire ace.
Martin goes full in his over to Bell, with the England batsman responding by hitting McCullum at silly point. Bell will keep the strike thanks to a nudge into the deep for a single. Run-rate is still below two for England.
Wagner comes on for a new spell and bowls two wider deliveries, with the second being given as a wide by Aleem Dar. It's a pretty uneventful over though and it's time for drinks.
The players come back from their break and Bell starts the scoring again with a cut shot for three runs. He now has 27 and Root, who is unbeaten on 19, blocks out the remainder of the over.
The new ball is just six overs away as Bell crunches a late drive through the off-side for four. Wagner responds well and only concedes four in the over.
Root works the ball away for two on the leg-side early in Martin's over but a couple of pushes bring no further runs. The pace has been increased slightly but New Zealand are still containing the hosts well.
Much better from Wagner, who finds a thick outside edge, with Rutherford fielding well at point. England must play the new ball well and I wouldn't be surprised if the harder ball brought more runs. Maiden.
Root takes advantage of a shorter ball from Martin to pull powerfully a boundary early in a new over. The spinner responds well and is unlucky not to sneak one through the gate when Root rocks back to attempt a cut.
Wagner puffs his cheeks and begins another over but it's a no-ball from the left-arm seamer.
WICKET! BELL (31) C WATLING B WAGNER
Wagner takes a wicket at the best possible time. Bell departs with just under two overs to go when he feathers an edge through to the grateful hands of Watling. Disappointing dismissal from Bell's point of view but New Zealand won't mind!
Jonny Bairstow is the new batsman and he's off the mark immediately with a single straight down the ground. A very heavy shower has suddenly decided to arrive but it could pass by quickly. Wagner continues in the rain and completes a very good over.
McCullum brings in a fielder at short cover but it's a bluff as Martin fires in a quicker delivery. Bairstow is equal to the challenge and defends well. The 23-year-old then whips the ball off his toes to pick up a couple through mid-wicket.
RAIN STOPS PLAY: The umpires decide that the rain is too persistent and they send the players back inside. That might not be it though and it could just be a short break.
Time can be made up today but that could depend on how long the players stay off. Plenty of dark clouds around Lord's at the moment.
New Zealand have definitely had the better of this first day. McCullum's bowlers have been impressive but England may need to have a look at the pace of their innings.
If we do get more play today, we could be set for a rather exciting final 10 overs. Bairstow and Root are both competing to cement a place in this team and they will have the new ball to negotiate.
BREAKING NEWS: The decision has come pretty early but the umpires have abandoned play for the day. Rain is stall falling persistently and we'll all have to come back tomorrow.
The scoring rate may have been slow but this has been an intriguing day of Test cricket. New Zealand have bowled with good control throughout and they are certainly on top at the moment.
Root (25*) and Bairstow (3*) will begin day two at the crease together and they'll be looking to construct a big partnership to wrestle the control away from the tourists. Tomorrow will be very important due to the forecast for later in the game, so both sides need to be on top of their game.
Thanks for joining me on day one but make sure you come back at 10.30am tomorrow, when I'll kick off the coverage of the second day's play at Lord's. Goodbye.
