Bowler Matt Henry impressed with the bat for the Blackcaps on the opening day of New Zealand's warm-up match against an English First Class Counties XI, scoring an unbeaten half-century.
After captain Tom Latham won the toss and batted first in the Blackcaps' final warm-up match before the three test series against England begins next week, New Zealand made 298/8 by the close of play on the first day.
Normally in the side for his ability with the ball, Henry struck an unbeaten 65 runs from 67 balls with 10 boundaries from No.10 in the order, as part of a ninth wicket stand worth 79 with Cam Fletcher, who reached the close not out on 22 from 79 balls.
The innings is a boost for Henry's chances of playing in the first test against England, starting on June 2 at Lord's, should Trent Boult be unavailable due to his Indian Premier League commitments with Rajasthan Royals.
Daryl Mitchell was the only other batter to pass 50 in his first innings on tour, after only arriving in England from India earlier this week, having been released early from his IPL duties, also with Rajasthan.
Mitchell's form will be welcome relief for the Blackcaps, with the 31-year-old to serve as batting cover for Henry Nicholls, still out of action with a calf strain.
At the top of the order, Will Young missed out on a second half-century in as many matches, out for 46 from 96 balls, while Colin de Grandhomme made 39 from 73.
Day two of the four day match begins on Friday night (NZ time).
