England great - Black Caps are changing test cricket

Brendon McCullum smiles as he runs from the pitch as a rain shower briefly halts play on the third day of the second test match. Photo / AP

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has given the Black Caps high praise saying the side's approach to test cricket could revolutionise the game.

The Black Caps are in a strong position to win the second test against England at Headingly in Leeds after an aggressive batting display in the second innings. With the two teams level after England's first innings, New Zealand added 338 runs for six in 75 overs, led by B-J Watling's fifth test ton.

Martin Guptill (70 from 72), Ross Taylor (48 from 48) and Luke Ronchi (31 from 23) added quick runs to put New Zealand in a strong position to win the test and level the series.

Writing in his column for the Telegraph newspaper, Vaughan, who played 82 tests for England, said the Black Caps are the best team in watch in test cricket.

"New Zealand are my favourite team in the world to watch. They are flamboyant and provide thrilling entertainment thanks to an approach to Test cricket which could revolutionise how some other sides play the longer format," Vaughan wrote.

"New Zealand have just realised the best way to get the most out of their players is to give them the freedom to play their natural game. If they try to sit in and play attritional cricket it hinders their players' attacking instincts and will end in failure. They have realised their players are geared more towards the shorter format of the game. They are playing one-day cricket over five days.

"I think it is a really good model for other teams who excel at one-day cricket, particularly with the bat, but struggle in tests. Teams such as West Indies and India should be watching this New Zealand side and taking the hint."

Vaughan also had plenty of praise for Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum who scored a relatively subdued 55 from 98 balls in the second innings.

"New Zealand are a brave side. Brendon McCullum plays only one way and that has suited him here. He knows we might lose the equivalent of a day's worth of overs to rain during this match. He had to come out and be attacking and apply that one-day mindset to test cricket."