Second Test - day two (close)

New Zealand 192-6 v England 307

JACK Leach performed steadily with bat and ball as the second day of the second Test between England and New Zealand ended in the balance in Christchurch.

Resuming unbeaten on 10 with England on 290-8, Leach's first task was to help Jonny Bairstow earn the three runs needed to complete his century and ensure the visitors posted a competitive score.

He did so successfully, with Bairstow recording his fifth Test hundred before holing out to third man shortly after Leach had become Tim Southee's sixth victim of the innings, edging a good ball behind on 16 as England were all out for 307.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad then joined forces to tear into the New Zealand top order with the new ball, reaping the rewards for pitching the ball up.

Broad - bowling with an extra yard of pace than in recent Tests - struck first as Tom Latham edged behind without scoring, while Anderson eventually found Jeet Raval's edge after beating him outside the off stump on countless occasions early on.

Broad then removed Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls to reduce New Zealand to 17-4, and Leach's first over in Test cricket was a tidy maiden in the final over before lunch.

The key scalp of Kane Williamson (22) was claimed by Anderson shortly after the interval but England then grew frustrated by a partnership between BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme.

Leach held up an end successfully and beat the bat on a couple of occasions with good drift, but he was often bowling to a defensive field as his role became one of containment.

The 26-year-old finished the day with 0-46 from 18 overs and will hope to be given the opportunity to strike in the morning.

Broad had de Grandhomme caught behind for 72 to end a crucial 142-run stand which had lifted New Zealand out the mire; the hosts will resume day three on 192-6, 115 runs behind.