Opener Marcus Trescothick hit a confident century as England reached 248 for four in reply to New Zealand's 409 at stumps on the third day of the second Test on Saturday at Headingley.
Graham Thorpe was on seven and Andrew Flintoff was four when bad light stopped play at the Leeds venue, where the pitch was beginning to deteriorate.
Trescothick reached his highest score against New Zealand despite a series of risky attacking shots but was finally undone for 132 by a skidding delivery from Scott Styris that he bottom edged onto the stumps.
Michael Vaughan, batting at four for the first time as captain, edged a good length ball from Styris to Stephen Fleming at slip for 13, giving Styris figures of two for 16 from seven overs.
The England skipper, who left the ground during play on Friday to attend the birth of his daughter, looked uncomfortable down the order after moving down to fill the spot left by the retirement of Nasser Hussain.
Andrew Strauss continued his good form from his debut at Lord's where he scored 112 and 83, making 62 in an opening stand of 153 with Trescothick before he top-edged spinner Daniel Vettori to Daryl Tuffey at mid-wicket.
{{/usCountry}}Andrew Strauss continued his good form from his debut at Lord's where he scored 112 and 83, making 62 in an opening stand of 153 with Trescothick before he top-edged spinner Daniel Vettori to Daryl Tuffey at mid-wicket.
{{/usCountry}}Vettori's guile was again rewarded soon after tea when Mark Butcher was adjudged lbw for four, playing back to an off break. Vettori returned figures of two for 60 from his 17 overs.
England quick bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison earlier cleaned up the New Zealand tail, the last three wickets falling without a run being added.
Brendon McCullum followed up his 96 in the first Test at Lord's with a fluid 54 before he was bowled by Hoggard.
The Yorkshire swing bowler then trapped Tuffey lbw for nought and the innings ended when Vettori was bowled by Harmison for 35, looking for a big shot after a neat innings peppered with deft cuts.
Harmison, who ended with four for 74, also dismissed Chris Cairns early in the day after the touring side resumed on 351 for six.
The all rounder, playing in his penultimate Test, lobbed a simple catch to Strauss at point without adding to his overnight 41.