Extra game helps Anderson

James Anderson claimed his time with Auckland helped him find his rhythm in Wellington

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Watch James Anderson in the end of day press conference and the full close report on ECBtv

England seamer James Anderson revealed the decision to send him for match practice last week gave him the confidence to bowl well on day two of the second Test in Wellington.

With the tourists having posted 342 thanks to Tim Ambrose’s maiden Test century, Anderson swept in with 5-73 on his return to the side to help bowl New Zealand out for 198.

That gave England a lead of 144, which they extended by four runs without loss before the close.

Anderson, who was brought in alongside Stuart Broad in place of Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, believes he benefited from being sent to play domestic cricket for Auckland last week while England slipped to defeat in the opening Test.

“It was nice to get some overs under my belt. If I hadn’t got those overs under my belt who knows how it would have gone in this game?” he said.

The 25-year-old revealed he realised the importance of remaining patient on a pitch which still offered help to the bowlers.

“It did quite a bit pretty much all day yesterday and our batters dug in well and did really well to get us to an above-average score,” he added.

“We learned from our innings you are going to beat the bat quite a bit and you can’t lose patience, you have to toil away and get a few nicks.”

England’s other hero on the second day was century-maker Ambrose, who completed his maiden Test hundred having been 97 not out overnight.

“I didn’t sleep too badly. I thought about it more than I thought I would,” admitted Ambrose, who became the first England wicketkeeper for 11 years to score an overseas Test century.

Tim Ambrose acknowledges the applause after recording his first century in Test cricket

“There was quite a bit of a relief in the end but it would have been nice to get a few more and bat to lunch.

“When we batted it was beating the edge quite a bit and it was important not to get frustrated with that happening.”

Ambrose stressed, however, that despite their substantial first-innings lead, England had to press home their advantage on the third day if they were to level the series.

“We have got to make sure we bat well tomorrow and get a commanding total and give our bowlers something to work with,” he said.

“It is a good cricket wicket and if you bowl in the right areas you will get rewards.”

New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, who top scored with 53 in the hosts’ first innings, admitted they let England off the hook.

“We started the day well, we got the early wickets we wanted to put the pressure back on England but we lost early wickets to put us on the back foot,” he said.

“We are still in the game and I’m sure early wickets will put pressure on England.

“I’m sure it (the wicket) will settle down. We are staying positive and if we can get four or five wickets early on I’m sure (chasing a target of) 350 is on.”

Taylor also praised England’s bowlers for their performance, adding: “Broad and Anderson came in and bowled very well. Obviously the depth in English cricket is big.”