WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) – England’s Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott punctured New Zealand’s growing bubble of self-belief yesterday as they both scored centuries to guide their side to an imposing 267 for two at the close of play on the first day of the second Test.

The hosts had entered the match with a burgeoning sense of confidence after a credible performance in the drawn first Test in Dunedin, but England’s batsmen brought them back to earth yesterday with a ruthlessly efficient display.
Trott was 121 not out, his ninth century, at stumps after he and Compton combined for a 210-run partnership on a Basin Reserve pitch that was offering New Zealand little assistance. Kevin Pietersen was on 18 at the close of play, after Compton had been dismissed in the final hour for 100, his second Test century.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had won the toss and chosen to bowl to try to extract whatever help they could get from the pitch, expected to offer more pace and bounce than University Oval in Dunedin.
Compton and Trott, however, made him pay for that decision, comfortably dealing with the lack of swing, seam movement and penetration by the New Zealand bowlers, who consistently failed to force them to play at deliveries or create any sustained pressure.
Captain Alastair Cook (17) was the only wicket to fall in the first session when he appeared to get through his shot a little ahead of the delivery from left-arm pace bowler Neil Wagner and it spooned to Peter Fulton at mid-on.

DOMINATED PLAY
Compton and Trott then dominated the rest of the day’s play, guiding the visitors through to 162 for one at tea and then appeared to be engaged in a race between themselves as the first to three figures when play resumed in the final session.
Trott belted two boundaries in one Bruce Martin over then Compton responded in the next by Trent Boult, dispatching the left-arm medium pace bowler to the fence twice.
The 31-year-old Trott, however, reached the mark first when he rocked back and pulled a short Wagner delivery to the square-leg fence for the 14th boundary of his 174-ball innings.
“As a batsman you have never scored enough,” Trott added. “It’s important that you never think you have done the job and hand it over to someone else.
“It’s nice to be in a bit of form and get some runs to contribute to the team. I was very happy to do that and I have worked hard for it.”
Compton wasted little time in joining him, effortlessly driving a full Wagner delivery in the lef-armer’s next over through the covers for his 15th boundary.
The 29-year-old Compton, who scored his maiden Test century in the second innings in Dunedin, punched the air in delight before the ball had even reached the boundary to celebrate the achievement.
Compton, however, did not capitalise, driving at a full delivery from left-arm spinner Martin in the first over after drinks, only for the ball to bounce and turn just enough to catch an edge and fly to Ross Taylor at slip.
“There was a little bit in it (the pitch) early but I don’t think we used it to our advantage and then we were chasing it from there,” New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee said.
“They’re world class players and do take a bit to get out. We got a bit lucky with Cook this morning and it was a good ball that Bruce got Compton with. It’s Test cricket, it’s not easy and you’ve got to work very hard for your wickets.”

SCORECARD

ENGLAND first innings
A. Cook c Fulton b Wagner        17
N. Compton c Taylor b Martin 100
J. Trott not out                 121
K. Pietersen not out              18
Extras: (w-5, lb-3, nb-3)    11
Total: (for two wickets, 90 overs)   267
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-236.
Bowling: Southee 19-4-44-0 (w-2), Boult 20-4-78-0 (w-1), Wagner 22-5-70-1 (w-2, nb-1), Martin 27-9-58-1 (nb-1), Williamson 2-0-14-0 (nb-1).
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Dean Brownlie, BJ Watling, Tim Southee, Bruce Martin, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult.