A case of the dropsies has let England charge into the better position after two days of the first test in Christchurch.
Harry Brook scored an unbeaten century but only after he was dropped four times in his score of 132 not out. Otherwise things could have been very different.
The Black Caps dropped six overall, three by captain Tom Latham, in England's 319-5, which is 29 runs behind New Zealand's first innings total.
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Some outstanding New Zealand bowling reduced the tourists to 71-4, including 21-year-old Jacob Bethell out for 10 on his Test debut.
Brook combined with Ollie Pope for a fifth-wicket partnership of 151. Pope, standing in as wicketkeeper, was pushed down to number six from his usual number three and made 77, the first time he has passed 29 in seven test innings.
It a gravity defying moment Glenn Phillips held a spectacular flying catch at gully from a full-blooded cut at Tim Southee to dismiss Pope.
England captain Ben Stokes, playing in the city of his birth, was at his best for 37 not out in an unbroken stand of 97 with Brook, although Stokes was another put down by Latham on 30.
Debutant Nathan Smith ended the day with 2-86 from 18 overs while Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke all took a wicket each.
Earlier New Zealand were bowled out for 348, pace bowler Brydon Carse taking the two wickets to fall in the morning to end with 4-64.
It took just over half an hour for the visitors to actually get to 90 overs which they were meant to have bowled on day one.
Tim Southee added five more runs to his overnight total, while Phillips made to 58 not out with more powerful hitting.
Eventually O'Rourke was out for a duck as Carse decided to bowl at the stumps with a yorker.
England will guilty of some wayward bowling with 42 runs coming from extras.