Kevin Pietersen’s 12th Test century helped England recover from a slump to reach 273 for seven on the first day of the third Test against New Zealand on Thursday.

Pietersen scored 115 for his first Test hundred at Trent Bridge, where he played for four seasons from 2001. He added 161 with wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, who made 67, for the sixth wicket to revive England after they slumped from 84 for two to 86 for five in the space of 13 balls. Pietersen, 27, in his 39th Test, reached his century after tea with a firm drive through cover for four off Chris Martin. He celebrated animatedly by jumping in the air and pumping his fist and was warmly applauded by his former home crowd.

Iain O’Brien, who was expected to be left out for teenager Tim Southee before the match, returned Test best figures of four for 61 from 20 overs at stumps.