Christchurch: Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and fast bowler Mark Wood produced a rearguard attack to drag England back into the second Test against New Zealand on Friday, as the visitors ended the first day at Hagley Oval on 290 for eight.

Tim Southee, who took his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, and Trent Boult had again tormented England's top order before Bairstow (97 not out) and Wood (52) put on 95-runs for the eighth wicket.

The visitors had been in danger of being bowled out for under 200 when Stuart Broad was caught at mid-off to leave them floundering at 164 for seven shortly after tea.

However, Bairstow and Wood took advantage of a softening, aging ball to save England from more embarrassment following the 58 they scored in the first innings of the opening Test, their record low against New Zealand.

The New Zealand bowlers were at it again after tea when Ben Stokes, who scored a patient 66 in England's second innings of the first Test, was caught behind for 25 and Stuart Broad at mid-off for five before Bairstow and Wood resurrected their innings.

"You sort of forget about the situation that you're in and you just concentrate on each other," Wood said.

"It didn't feel like (New Zealand) were flat. We just changed the momentum a little bit and brought it back in our favour. It's the old cliche, but it will be interesting to see how tomorrow morning goes. Will the ball do as much for us as it did for them?"

England need a win to stop New Zealand clinching their first series against them since 1999. The hosts won the first Test at Eden Park in Auckland by an innings and 49 runs.

After bringing up his first Test half century with two runs behind point, Wood became Southee's fifth wicket.