Latham and Ronchi save New Zealand the blushes after England rip through at Headingley

James Anderson became the first Englishman to take 400 Test wickets but the visitors remain defiant and post 297 for eight.

Opener Tom Latham dropped anchor for New Zealand even as the top order collapsed on the first day of the second Test match against England at Headingley. Paul Ellis / AFP

Brief scores: New Zealand 297-8 (Luke Ronchi 88, Tom Latham 84, Brendon McCullum 41; Stuart Broad 3-83, James Anderson 2-43, Mark Wood 2-62)

James Anderson became the first Englishman to take 400 Test wickets on the opening day of the second Test at Headingley but a defiant century stand from Tom Latham and debutant Luke Ronchi ensured New Zealand remained firmly in the contest.

The visitors finished with 297 for eight on a day when play was curtailed as England won the toss and elected to field.

The Test got off to a frustrating start as the morning session was washed out, but Anderson belatedly got the juices flowing when Martin Guptill became his landmark victim in the third over of the day.

Having already usurped Ian Botham to become England’s leading Test wicket-taker in Antigua last month Anderson has now entered even more rarefied company, becoming just the 12th bowler in history, and eighth seamer, to reach the milestone.

He moved to 401 as Kane Williamson fell to make it two for two but the Black Caps reached stumps at a respectable total, Latham carving out a two-paced 84 and Ronchi adding a quick 88 in just 70 deliveries.

The fifth-wicket pair put on 120, Latham dropped three times in the 70s during a ham-fisted 10-minute period, before Stuart Broad accounted for both in the space of three balls.

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