Harry Brook and Ollie Pope rescue England after top-order collapse in frst test against New Zealand

Harry Brook's seventh Test century and Ollie Pope's crucial 77 helped England recover from a disastrous top-order collapse, reducing New Zealand's lead to just 29 on day two of the first Test.

England were reeling on 71-4, at which point they trailed by 277, as ducks for Zak Crawley and Joe Root sandwiched Jacob Bethell (10 off 34) snicking behind on a scratchy debut from an unfamiliar No 3 spot and Ben Duckett (46) caught on the hook in Christchurch, News.Az reports, citing Sky Sports.

However, Brook (132no) and Pope rode their luck to share a fifth-wicket stand of 151 - Brook was dropped on 18, 41 and 72 and then again on 106 while adding an unbroken 97 with captain Ben Stokes (37no) - as England closed on 319-5 in reply to New Zealand's 348.

Stokes was also the beneficiary of a drop as New Zealand skipper Tom Latham shelled his third catch of the day - and the team's sixth - at short cover close to stumps, reprieving the left-hander on 30.

Brook - who became the second-fastest Englishman to 2,000 Test runs in terms of innings (36), behind only Herbert Sutcliffe (33) - was shelled by Glenn Phillips at gully, Latham at first slip and Devon Conway at deep midwicket before reaching his hundred from 123 balls, shortly after a superb scooped four.

Pope, pushed down the order to No 6 due to him also keeping wicket in this Test, was his usual skittish self at times but managed to peel off a much-needed score after averaging a paltry 11 with a best of 29 while batting at No 3 during October's 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan.

However, England may now be reluctant to move Pope back up after this knock of note - during which he passed 3,000 Test runs - perhaps reopening the age-old debate of who should bat at No 3.

There will be no shifting Brook from No 5, with the Yorkshireman now averaging a shade over 60 in 22 Tests - and over 90 away from home - after New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell grassed him late in the evening shortly after he had reached three figures.

Brook, who latched onto a number of wide deliveries from the Black Caps, looked to the skies after completing his ton, remembering his late grandmother.

News.Az