England's players were delighted with the successful execution of their latest 'Bazball' tactic after declaring on day one of the first Test against New Zealand.

Ben Stokes put New Zealand in to bat after England had reached 325-9 by the 59th over of the first innings.

That gave James Anderson and the England attack the opportunity to get at their hosts under the lights at Bay Oval, their early inroads seeing the Black Caps reduced to 37-3 at stumps, still 288 runs behind.

England's run rate of 5.6 in the first innings was the fourth-highest by any team in a men's Test, but the plan was not always to take the ball by the end of play, according to Harry Brook.

"It just happened like that, to be honest. There was no plan at dinner to declare," Brook said in a news conference.

"Me and Foakesy [Ben Foakes] were still batting together, and if I hadn't got out, the plan would've been the same.

"But because I got out, the plan changed, and Stokesy said if there are two bowlers in at the same time, give them a couple of overs and we'll try and utilise the lights."

Brook, who top-scored with 89, added to talkSPORT: "I think it was a great declaration. To get three wickets there is vital and hopefully we can force a few more early tomorrow."

Ben Duckett finished with 84 runs from just 68 balls and said: "We knew the conditions under lights tonight were going to suit us with the ball, and that was the reason for the declaration.

"We could have easily had five or six [wickets] tonight. Stick two on that in the morning and suddenly they're a long way behind the game and we're in a very good position."

Neil Wagner, who bowled Brook as one of four wickets and was at the crease at the close of play, suggested New Zealand "sort of expected" the declaration.

"We knew they are going to play a positive brand of cricket, and they did," Wagner said. "It's quite exciting for Test cricket."

Wagner added: "After that dinner break, we thought they might come out a little harder, get to the point where they were really trying to up the ante, score as quick as they can and just get us in there."