Brendon McCullum reflected on four years carrying the disappointment around of narrowly missing out on a Lord’s century, after doing the exactly the same again Thursday.

McCullum, promoted to number five in the order from his usual number seven to partly supplement the loss of several experienced players to retirement and partly to reward his vastly improving batting ability, began the three-Test series against England well but was eventually bowled off his pad by Monty Panesar for 97 - four years after making 96.

The wicketkeeper put his favoured aggressive batting style into practice despuite coming to the crease in adversity when his team were 41-3. He made his runs at a run a ball to help New Zealand to 208-6 by the close, with all-rounders Jacob Oram and skipper Daniel Vettori at the crease.

“Last time I got very nervous through the nineties,” McCullum told reporters. “I have spent the last four years thinking about it. This time I felt quite comfortable, I just thought remain aggressive, I just missed a straight one.”

He was still able to console himself with the thought that his effort had kept his side in the game.

“If we had been bowled out for 150 there was only one team that could have won this game,” he added.

“England are on top but for us it's not a bad day either. It was pretty bitter-sweet, I'm proud but a touch disappointed.

“It was extremely tough batting conditions. You could be happy with playing an ugly innings for a period of time. Runs on the board were going to be the most significant aspect. At 100-5 it was teetering and in real danger of being rock and roll.”

James Anderson repaid the faith the captain put in him after selecting him in the team ahead of the more experienced Matthew Hoggard, by taking 3-42 in 12 overs on a weather-affected first day.