A century by James Marshall today helped to take New Zealand to 348 for nine at stumps on the opening day of their four-day cricket match against Essex in Chelmsford.
Marshall hit 17 fours in his 128, compiled during a five-hour stay at the crease, to be themainstay of the tourists' first innings.
The Black Caps included all five of their players returning from the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, but none was able to make a significant contribution with the bat.
The best of the quintet was skipper Daniel Vettori with 22.
Of the others, Ross Taylor looked like he was going to continue his Twenty20 form when he struck a six down the ground.
However, having got to 17, he edged a drive to slip.
Brendon McCullum wasn't able reproduce his big hitting exploits, managing just four before being caught at gully when pushing forward.
Essex won the toss and Dutch allrounder Ryan ten Deoschate was the best of their bowlers, grabbing five for 57 with his medium pacers.
SCOREBOARD
New Zealand
First innings J How lbw b Palladino 9
A Redmond lbw b ten Doeschate 35
J Marshall c Chambers b ten Doeschate 128
R Taylor c Gallian b Palladino 17
B McCullum c Middlebrook b ten Doeschate 4
D Flynn c Tudor b ten Doeschate 39
J Oram b ten Doeschate 4
D Vettori c Gallian b Westley 22
K Mills c Middlebrook b Palladino 17
M Mason not out 23
I Brien not out 31
Extras (13lb, 4w, 2nb) 19
Bowling: A Tudor 17-3-65-0 (1nb), T Palladino 17-8-50-3, M Chambers 20-3-72-0 (1nb), R ten Doeschate 17-3-57-5 (3w), J Middlebrook 10-1-41-0, R Bopara 5-0-31-0 (1w), T Westley 4-0-19-1.
