England seamer James Anderson says perseverance was the key as he helped put the visitors in control of the second Test against New Zealand.

Anderson took 5-73 as the Kiwis scored 198 in their first innings - 144 behind England, who ended day two on 4-0.

"The ball did quite a bit on Wednesday and our batters did really well to get us to an above-average score," he said.

"We learned from our innings you are going to beat the bat quite a bit and you can't lose patience."

Anderson took the wickets of New Zealand's five top-order batting line-up, including the in-form Stephen Fleming and Ross Taylor.

Anderson was sent to play domestic cricket for Auckland last week as England were on the way to defeat and he believes that outing helped him going into the second Test at Wellington.

"It was nice to get some overs under my belt," he stated. "If I had not got those overs under my belt who knows how it would have gone in this game."

Anderson was playing his first Test since his appearance against Sri Lanka in Kandy last December and he is now aiming to prove he deserves a regular Test spot.

"It's down to me now, I've got the chance and hopefully I can make the most of it," he added.

"Why my Test career has gone the way it has, I'm not sure. Looking forward, I'm looking at this chance I have now to try to get a few games under my belt.

"I want to be the bowler the captain can throw the ball to when we need a wicket. I want to stake a claim and be here for a long time."

England had gone into the second day on 291-5, with Tim Ambrose on 97 and in sight of his maiden Test century.

Warwickshire's Ambrose got to 102 before he was out and became the first England wicketkeeper for 11 years to score an overseas Test century.

"I didn't sleep too badly," he said. "I thought about it more than I thought I would.

"There was quite a bit of a relief in the end but it would have been nice to get a few more and bat to lunch.

"When we batted it was beating the edge quite a bit and it was important not to get frustrated with that happening."

Broad got the vital wicket of Brendon McCullum, while Ryan Sidebottom saw off Jacob Oram and Paul Collingwood saw off the lower order with three wickets.

Ambrose added: "We have got to make sure we bat well on day three and get a commanding total and give our bowlers something to work with.

"It is a good cricket wicket and if you bowl in the right areas you will get rewards."

McCullum insisted New Zealand are not out of the game and the hosts will be out to make some early inroads into the England batting line-up when play resumes.

He revealed: "It wasn't how we had that part of the day planned out but we've got an opportunity to come back and hopefully correct our mistakes and give ourselves a chance of winning the game early on."

Get a free £25 bet on Sunday's Australian GP with Betfair