Denly, Stokes help England take honours on Opening Day

England 241 for 4 (Denly 74, Stokes 67*, de Grandhomme 2-28) v New Zealand

Mount Maunganui: England batted themselves into a promising position on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.

Three of the tourists' top five compiled half-centuries as England closed on 241-4 in Mount Maunganui.

Ben Stokes hit a unbeaten 67 against a flagging New Zealand attack after disciplined fifties from Rory Burns and Joe Denly laid the platform.

Colin de Grandhomme took 2-28 for the hosts on a good batting wicket.

England have become notorious for batting collapses in recent times but this was a solid, if not perfect, way to begin a Test series.

Captain Joe Root was the only member of the top order not to reach double figures, while debutant opener Dom Sibley hinted at but did not fully show his patient temperament in a gritty 22.

Stokes was dropped on 63 by Ross Taylor at first slip late in the day but he saw England through to the close, along with Ollie Pope who made a sparky 18.

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