New Zealand were all out for 277 after the left-arm swing bowler Sidebottom, who was wicket-less on the first day despite perfect overcast conditions to complement his style of delivery, made up for his first-day woes. He finished with 4-55 to emphasize why he has rocketed into the top ten of the Test world rankings, in a year. He bowled seven maidens in a ten-over spell.

Alastair Cook, 43 not out, and Andrew Strauss, on 24, then gave England a solid base from which to build their second innings on Saturday. The New Zealand bowling seemed to lack penetration and often appeared ordinary, clearly missing the extra pace of Shane Bond, who is playing for Hampshire because of his Indian Cricket League links.

New Zealand, who were thankful to Brendon McCullum’s 97 on Thursday, were grateful to 48 from their captain Daniel Vettori on Friday. The stubborn left-hander looked destined to register his 17th Test fifty until he played no stroke to Sidebottom and was bowled middle stump as the ball came back ever so slightly.

England, seeking to rise to number two in the Test world rankings with a 3-0 series sweep, will be hoping for plenty of dry and clear weather for the weekend to exploit the flat Lord’s pitch and avoid the kind of frustration witnessed on Friday when there were five interruptions for bad light.