ALASTAIR Cook described the moment he became England's leading Test run-scorer as "special" and "humbling".

The captain claimed the runs he needed to overtake Graham Gooch just after lunch in the first innings of the second Investec Test against New Zealand at Headingley when he square-drove Tim Southee for four to reach 33 in his 203rd innings, and 8902 in aggregate. Gooch's 8900 had stood for 20 years as England's historic benchmark and Cook was understandably thrilled to usurp his mentor.

"It is a very special day for me personally. I can't really describe it, to be on top of the list. I don't deserve to be there with the way I play," said Cook, who went on to hit 75 before Mark Craig removed him lbw. "I knew I needed 32 runs to break the record and you want to do it with an innings that matters. It was an amazing moment, very humbling.

"The last 18 months have been tough. A lot of stuff has gone on in the last four or five months, but I have given time to my game and feel like it is going well."

It was also a special day for Adam Lyth as he scored his first century in his second Test. The 27-year-old (107) shared a first-wicket stand of 177 - England's highest at Headingley - and made the only Test century here by a Yorkshire opener since Geoff Boycott's 100th first-class hundred in 1977.

Cook described it as a "great moment" and said he had been impressed with the way the Yorkshireman has handled himself since coming into the squad.

For Lyth, it was extra special to do it in front of his home fans. "It was a fantastic moment for me and my family. I was very pleased to get three figures in front of the home crowd," he said. "I was a bit nervous. They bowled very well and I had to wait my time. But it's a moment I will never forget.

"I was more nervous in this game than making my debut. I don't know why. Hopefully there are many more games to come."

England finished the day on 253 for five after the visitors ended their first innings on 350 all out. "It is pretty even - the last hour brought them back in the game," Cook added. "They put the ball in right areas."

There was much to like about Lyth's contribution; he laboured only once he reached 90 as he spent 45 minutes making his next 10 in a passage of play which saw him deflect a ball from Southee on to his stumps, air-kicking in desperation without the skill his reputation as a former Manchester City trialist suggests and mighty relieved to see the bails unmoved.

On 94, he also struck off-spinner Craig perilously close to Neil Wagner at mid-on but then slog-swept Craig for his 14th four almost immediately afterwards to bring up his century and lap up the celebrations of a crowd including parents Christine and Alistair.

Cook's acknowledgement of his achievement came with typical understatement, a wave of the bat to each corner of a loudly appreciative full house.

As so often in his brilliant career, he was again patience personified. His reward, at 2.15pm, just a few minutes more than 24 hours after James Anderson became the first Englishman to reach 400 Test wickets, was a new claim to fame, and one which will surely stay with him for many years.

New Zealand had begun a sunny morning by continuing the hectic pace, and their general approach to Test cricket under Brendon McCullum, smashing 53 runs for their last two wickets in 7.1 overs.

But Stuart Broad finished with five, at the cost of 109 in just 17.1 overs. Matt Henry edged one of many short balls behind and then, after Craig batted impressively, Trent Boult was well held by Lyth at point.

Lyth was to put barely a foot wrong with the bat either, until Boult's direct hit from cover ran him out.

New Zealand fought back to take three more big wickets for just nine runs under cloud cover and lights with the second new ball.

Gary Ballance was bowled by some Boult swing, and just before the close Ben Stokes was caught at second slip off the left-armer, after Joe Root edged a good one from Southee behind for a rare failure.

The day, therefore may no longer have belonged to England, yet it still did to Lyth.