Sidebottom took two wickets in two balls to finish the Kiwi innings

The tourists lost two late wickets to close on 87-2 after the Kiwis punished some innocuous bowling to post 470.

"It was a very difficult day. We didn't really get off to a good start," admitted Sidebottom, who took 4-90.

"We were striving for wickets and Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori played well. But it's a good wicket to bat on, there's not much movement there."

Taylor (120) completed his maiden Test century as he put on 148 with Vettori (88).

Sidebottom, who finished the innings off with two wickets in two balls, says England's batsmen can emulate those achievements on Friday.

"It's going to be a tough day but if we play well there's no reason why we can't bat past them," he added.

"It has definitely got slower in pace and will do so as the match goes on.

"Ross Taylor showed if you hit straight and down the ground you can get value for your shots. Hopefully we can do that."

For Taylor it was a chance to demonstrate his prowess among exalted company after a difficult start to his Test career.

It was good to silence a few people who doubted whether I was good enough to play at this level Ross Taylor

The 23-year-old scored a total of 44 runs in his first two games but bounced back in style, accelerating from a cautious start to play several attractive shots.

"It was definitely the most circumspect I've ever batted in any form of the game," he revealed.

"I got off to a bit of a shaky start in Test cricket and it was good to silence a few people who doubted whether I was good enough to play at this level.

"I'm very happy to score a hundred but it's only one innings and I've got to work a lot harder to maintain that."

Of the match situation, he stated: "It's starting to slow up and take a little bit of turn. If we can pick up a few early wickets and put pressure back on England you never know.

"But at the same time they can build a lot of pressure back on us. England are a very good side but they can be beaten."