/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F11%2F31%2Falastaircook_20110729.jpg "New Zealand vs. England - First Test, day two - as it happened")
England began day two of the opening Test match with New Zealand hoping to build a significant advantage at the close of play.
However, their top order was dismissed cheaply by a New Zealand team that didn't have to work too hard to bowl England out for 167.
Hamish Rutherford and Peter Fulton heaped further misery on the tourists as they scored freely to leave their side just 36 runs adrift of England's total with the loss of no wickets.
Read below to see how the action unfolded on day two.
5.04amThat is all from me this evening. I hope to see you back tomorrow for day three. Goodnight.
5.03amWell that wraps up proceedings for the day, and it has been a total disaster for England. They would have been hopeful of still being at the crease, but after being dismissed cheaply for 167, they face a huge task if they are to prevent New Zealand taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
NZ 131-0It's up to Finn to try to find a late wicket for England, but despite putting everything into the over, New Zealand survive and that is stumps.
NZ 128-0Joe Root is brought into the attack for what will be his only over of the day, and he gets through it with the concession of just a single.
NZ 127-0New Zealand are continuing to pick up runs from any method possible. This time, they came off the back of Rutherford and past Prior for four. Fulton has just two overs to get the five runs he requires to pick up his fifty.
NZ 122-0England might be advised to do a rain dance just before the start of play tomorrow because they need some assistance from somewhere to halt New Zealand's momentum. Trott's over passes by without incident.
NZ 120-0Four more runs get added to New Zealand's total, and they are now less than 50 runs away from overtaking England.
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NZ 116-0Cook throws the ball to Jonathan Trott, in the hope that he can catch the New Zealand batsmen out with his medium pace deliveries. He doesn't trouble either of them, but they manage just two runs from the over.
NZ 114-0Finn has replaced Broad, but Rutherford gives him the same treatment by cutting the ball away for four. New Zealand are just 53 runs away from England's total.
NZ 110-0Fulton moves into the 40's with a superbly-timed push down the ground. You have to applaud Fulton, because it would have been easy for him to try to keep pace with Rutherford. Instead, the 34-year-old has remained composed, and supported his partner well.
NZ 106-0More frustration for England as Pietersen puts down a relatively easy chance to take the wicket of Rutherford. It doesn't look like he picked up the flight of the ball, but that is a big let-off for New Zealand.
NZ 104-0Panesar moves into his seventh over, conceding three runs in the process. 10 overs to go.
NZ 101-0At least England are preventing New Zealand from surging ahead by restricting their run-rate. That is about as much positive spin as you can put on England's performance so far. One run came off Broad's ninth over.
NZ 100-0The hundred partnership is up after 183 balls after Rutherford flicks the ball to the leg side. It's difficult to suggest where Cook can turn right now. It wouldn't hurt to give the Trott a couple of overs.
NZ 99-0Fulton scores two with a pull shot to deep square leg, and his side move one shy of the 100-mark as we enter the 31st over.
NZ 97-0Big shouts of "catch it" as the ball goes towards Ian Bell at short leg, but there didn't appear to be any contact with the bat. Rutherford crashes the ball to the boundary for the 10th time off the final delivery of the over.
NZ 91-0Just a single from the over for Rutherford, before Fulton plays and misses at Broad's final ball. The hosts are nearing three figures.
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NZ 90-0You feel as though it is going to take a glaring error from either Fulton and Rutherford if they are to lose their wicket before the close of play. Fulton moves to 33 with a drive through extra cover.
NZ 85-0That was a half-chance for Broad, as he drops a difficult caught-and-bowled opportunity to dismiss Rutherford. It would be harsh to criticise him there.
NZ 84-0New Zealand are now halfway towards England's total of 167, whcih says it all about the state of this match so far. Another single for Rutherford takes him to 52.
NZ 83-0Rutherford has looked superb on his Test debut, and he gets his reward with a fully-deserved fifty, which he brings up with a drive down the ground.
NZ 76-0Panesar responds to being struck for six with a tidy maiden over. There could still be as many as 20 overs left today. It could be a long hour and a half for England's bowlers.
NZ 76-0We are 22 overs through New Zealand's innings, and I can't recall England creating a significant chance. One run from the over.
NZ 75-0Panesar is on for England, but after four dot balls, Rutherford hits him for six...which has struck a spectator on the head! That looked horrendous.
NZ 69-0Rutherford had gone a little bit quiet, but he is back on the offensive with a four flicked down to fine leg.
NZ 64-0There was a bit of doubt surrounding Fulton early on in his innings but he has come through that to assert himself at the crease. He moves on to 28 with a superb pull shot past midwicket.
NZ 57-0Anderson is back, but New Zealand add another five runs to the total. Everything feels too comfortable for New Zealand. Cook should at least consider handing Panesar the ball for a couple of overs.
NZ 52-0New Zealand bring up their fifty when Fulton hits the ball through mid-on. They haven't offered the England bowlers much at all, and the tourist's bowlers desperately need a breakthrough.
NZ 48-0Finn has put a lot of effort into his eight overs and you would imagine that Cook might replace him with Anderson in the next few overs. Just one from the over.
NZ 47-0Broad continues in the first over after the drinks break, conceding a couple of singles. Rutherford is on 31, while Fulton is on 15.
NZ 45-0Finn records a maiden in the final over before drinks, and Cook has much to ponder. Nothing has gone right for England today.
NZ 45-0More good work from Broad sees just a single scored from the over. It will be interesting to see whether Alastair Cook's opts to introduce Monty Panesar into the fray anytime soon.
NZ 44-0England appear to be having more joy with the older ball, as Finn sees Fulton send an inside edge straight into his pads. Rutherford finishes the over with a couple of runs down the ground.
NZ 41-0Broad is on for England and he would be celebrating a wicket with his first ball had he not opted to remove third slip. Other than that, it is a fine start from the pace bowler.
NZ 37-0That was a better over from Finn, who created a loud appeal from the England fielders after striking Fulton on his pads, but the umpire deemed the ball to be going over the stumps.
NZ 37-0A quieter over for England, as they restrict Fulton to a single off the last ball of the over. The New Zealand batsman look comfortable at the moment.
NZ 36-0Finn beats Rutherford with two superb deliveries, but the Test match rookie is equal to the challenge, as he sends the ball to the ropes for the 4th and 5th time respectively.
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NZ 28-0Fulton hasn't looked anywhere near as confident as Rutherford, and he is fortunate to avoid edging the ball to Prior. However, he will take a lot of confidence from back-to-back boundaries, that has seen him move to 12.
NZ 20-0Just a single for Fulton from that over. It is becoming increasingly evident that England have had a shocker with the bat.
NZ 19-0Another crushing shot through the covers from Rutherford takes him to 16 off 14 balls, but Anderson responds well, creating an lbw appeal and surprising Rutherford with some extra pace.
NZ 15-0Rutherford has started this innings like a Test match veteran, and he scores three more through the covers. A powerful drive breaches the defence of Pietersen, but he picks up just a single.
NZ 10-0There isn't much swing, but Anderson produced a couple of excellent deliveries in that over. There is barely a cloud in the sky now in Dunedin.
NZ 10-0This is a quick start from the hosts, and they are soon into double figures. Fulton picks up his second single, before Rutherford miscues the ball from Steven Finn over England's three slips for four.
NZ 5-0Hamish Rutherford is making his debut at the top of the order for New Zealand, but he wastes no time in asserting himself at the crease with a firm shot off his legs for four.
2.04amWe are back after the tea interval, and all ready to go at the start of New Zealand's innings. Anderson to bowl first against Peter Fulton.
1.47amThat is a very poor effort from England. Trott aside, their top order fell apart, before Finn and Anderson restored a little bit of pride with a valuable partnership of 47. We will back in 20 minutes for the start of New Zealand's innings after tea.
ENG 167 all outPanesar is off the mark in streaky fashion, just avoiding the fielder at point, but Anderson's attempts to send Martin for six down the ground end in disaster as he edges to Wagner.
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ENG 167 all outWICKET! Anderson (23) c Wagner b Martin
ENG 166-9Finn sends a pull shot for four to bring up his highest Test score, but he attempts the same shot with the next delivery, only to find Rutherford. Monty Panesar is the last man in for England.
ENG 166-9WICKET! Finn (20) c Rutherford b Wagner
ENG 162-8Where has Anderson found that shot from? He plays a delightful reverse sweep for four off Martin's first delivery. He records the second four of the over two balls later, before picking up two more with a late cut. Anderson has moved to 23.
ENG 152-8That's a big miss for New Zealand. Anderson goes for a quick single, which can simply be described as suicidal, but he escapes after the fielder misses the stumps from no more than 10 yards. Finn brings up the 150 for his side with his second four, but he should have been caught at mid-on.
ENG 147-8The fact that Finn and Anderson have put on 28 underlines how England's top order have missed out in this innings. Finn slog-sweeps himself to 12.
ENG 143-8Southee opens the over with a wide ball that adds four extras to England's total. Anderson sends the fast bowler for another boundary by crashing the ball over the slip cordon. This has turned into a valuable little partnership.
ENG 135-8During the drinks break, Finn received some treatment to his arm. I will keep you posted if any more news comes from that. Martin records his fourth maiden.
ENG 135-8Anderson has played a couple of superb shots that have deserved a boundary, but he finally records his first with a crushing shot just wide of gully.
ENG 130-8Finn whips the ball through midwicket for two, before a fine clip just outside of the wicket-keeper's reach brings three more. Anderson moves to four with an aggressive shot off the back foot.
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ENG 123-8Southee is back on for the home side, and he soon beats the outside edge of Anderson's bat, but the fast bowler gets off the mark with two runs picked up from a shot down the ground.
ENG 120-8Martin has figures of 3-21 from nine overs on his Test debut, but he hasn't really done anything in an attacking sense to warrant three wickets. Finn gets off the mark from his 15th delivery.
ENG 119-8Jimmy Anderson is lucky to survive after sending the ball just short of slip. The influence of Boult has gone somewhat unnoticed, but he has looked a different player to how he performed in the limited overs games.
ENG 119-8Broad shows Trott how it is done with a powerful sweep for four, but he sends the next delivery into the waiting hands of Brownlie on the boundary. This has been abysmal from England.
ENG 119-8WICKET! Broad (10) c Brownlie b Martin
ENG 115-7The wicket of Trott has exposed the tail, and with just Anderson and Panesar to follow, you would expect that Broad would look to score quickly. He moves to six with a single.
ENG 114-7Martin has picked up his first two Test wickets, and he won't quite know how. His second dismissal comes as Trott attempts to sweep the ball, but he sends the ball skyward to hand Boult an easy catch. Broad replies with a nice shot down the ground for four, but he looks fortunate to survive a strong lbw appeal. The final ball brings another loud appeal for lbw, but Finn survives.
ENG 109-7WICKET! Trott (45) c Boult b Martin
ENG 108-6The onus is back on Trott to stick around for his side now. Stuart Broad can provide England with runs, but he will bat aggressively. Trott sees off Boult's over with troubling the score.
ENG 108-6Just when England were beginning to creep back into this game, Prior has given his wicket away cheaply. He was attempting to replicate a cut from Martin's previous over, but he caught too much of the ball and sent the ball straight to Williamson at point, to hand Martin his first Test wicket.
ENG 108-6WICKET! Prior (23) c Williamson b Martin
ENG 107-5There are signs that Prior is looking to get the scoreboard ticking over more regularly, and after he clips the ball past slip for four, he smashes back-to-back deliveries through extra-cover. England have quickly moved past the 100-mark.
ENG 95-5It's a poor start to the over from Martin, who drops his first two deliveries short, and they are punished by Prior. A welcome nine runs from that over and England are finally approaching three figures.
ENG 86-5There isn't much happening in the middle right now. The New Zealand bowlers are continuing to probe for an opening, but Trott and Prior are in no rush to play any rash shots.
ENG 86-5Monty Panesar will be taking note of the performance of Martin, and he will be impressed so far as the left-arm spinner picks up his third maiden in four overs.
ENG 86-5Boult continues where he left off after lunch. Prior gets a single off his first ball, before Trott notches his seventh boundary with a well-timed drive through cover. Trott edges the next delivery, but it falls short of Ross Taylor.
ENG 81-5Martin is right on the money with his first delivery as he deceives Trott, but the ball is missing leg stump. A maiden start to the session for New Zealand.
12.10amIt will be Bruce Martin to bowl the first over after lunch.
12.08amWe are just a couple of minutes away from the start of the afternoon session. Before play began, England would have had aspirations to up their run-rate before tea, but now, you feel as though they would be content to get through the next couple of hours with the loss of one or two wickets.
11.32pmEngland would have been confident of seizing an advantage by the close of play, but they have been stunned by an impressive New Zealand display that sees them go into lunch well on top. We will be back with you in 35 minutes for the resumption of play.
ENG 81-5Boult continues over the wicket to Trott, and he finds the inside edge of the bat with successive balls. Trott prods the ball away to bring Prior back on strike for the final ball of the session, which he defends. That's all for the morning session.
ENG 80-5McCullum reintroduces Martin into the attack just before the interval, but Prior is happy to negotiate the over without going on the attack. One more over before lunch.
ENG 80-5Matt Prior, who would not have been expecting to be out in the middle this early in proceedings, gets off the mark via an inside edge. Just over five minutes to go until lunch.
ENG 79-5The tourists need to be careful that they don't throw away the second part of their innings. The ball is still doing plenty and they have the quality in their bowling ranks to replicate what New Zealand are doing right now. Trott moves to 39 with two boundaries.
ENG 71-5England have their backs firmly against the wall. Boult is back on in place of Southee and he takes the wicket of Root midway through the over, after the young Yorkshire player edged to third slip. Matt Prior has made his way to the crease.
ENG 71-5WICKET! Root (4) c Brownlie b Boult
ENG 71-4It is imperative that Trott makes it through to lunch, after witnessing several wickets fall around him. He moves to 31 with two runs through point. That two also brought up 3000 runs in Test cricket in just his 39th match.
ENG 69-4Southee gets through his 11th over with the loss of one run, and he now has figures of 1-28.
ENG 68-4Wagner has come alive again, and looks hungry for more wickets. Root is watchful for his first four balls before he sends the final delivery to the boundary.
ENG 64-4Wagner opts to come around the wicket, and his first ball reaps rewards as he dispenses of Bell, who hit the ball to Rutherford at extra cover. Joe Root is in for England.
ENG 64-4WICKET! Bell (24) c Rutherford b Wagner
ENG 64-3New Zealand think they have a good shout in dismissing Bell, despite the umpire turning down their appeal for lbw. They decide to review the decision, and the replay shows that the ball hit the inside of Bell's bat. Bell shows his class with a flashy four through extra cover. Bell moves to 24, Trott on 28.
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ENG 59-3McCullum might be considering taking Wagner out of the action, as Trott and Bell seem to have adjusted to his line and length. Bell picks up two on the leg side, before Trott drives the ball through the covers for his fourth boundary.
ENG 53-3An uneventful over, which Trott was happy to defend before nicking a single off the final delivery. I have just read that Ian Bell averages 46.86 from 84 Test matches. Why on earth does he always seem to be under criticism?!
ENG 52-3A full-length delivery is sent crashing to the boundary by Trott, before he moves off strike after nudging a single off his hips. Wagner finishes the over with a short ball that Bell pulls away for four to bring up England's fifty.
ENG 43-3Just the one over of spin from Martin, and Southee is back. Strange thinking from McCullum. Bell pierces the off side for two, before edging the ball past the slip cordon for four. Welcome runs for England.
ENG 37-3Just a wide from that over from Wagner, and he continues to look solid on just his fourth Test match appearance.
ENG 36-3Bruce Martin is on for his first spell as a Test bowler, and the 32-year-old begins well, conceding just the one run. It is an interesting change by McCullum, as his fast bowlers were providing a constant threat from both ends.
ENG 35-3I think word must have gotten out to Trott in the middle that I had mentioned his scoring rate, because he has just sent a peach of a shot to the boundary. He plays and misses at the next ball, but he responds with three down the ground. It's time for drinks.
ENG 28-3It's Bell's turn to see off a maiden over, and England's run-rate is currently at 1.75. We shouldn't read too much into that just yet, but it isn't making for an exciting spectacle so far!
ENG 28-3Wagner continues his impressive start with a second maiden in three overs. Trott seems intent on defending for now; he has scored eight runs off 38 balls.
ENG 28-3Southee is back into the attack, but he drifts down Bell's leg side, and the England number five hits him for four. The Warwickshire batsman records his second boundary of the over with a good shot through the covers.
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ENG 20-3It is worth noting that Wagner might not have been included in this match if it wasn't for Doug Bracewell cutting his foot on some glass. Quite a break for the hosts. Another maiden.
ENG 20-3There is a lot of responsibility on Trott's and Bell's shoulders now. They could do with getting to lunch, which is more than 90 minutes away. A wide prevents Boult from picking up his first maiden.
ENG 19-3Ian Bell survives the hat-trick ball, but England are in all sorts of trouble here. Bell gets off the mark with a single, but New Zealand are buzzing, and understandably so.
ENG 18-3That is quite unbelievable. Kevin Pietersen comes to the crease with the job of restoring some calm in the middle, but Wagner traps him straight in front of his stumps! Wagner on a hat-trick...
ENG 18-3WICKET! Pietersen (0) lbw Wagner
ENG 18-2We have a change in New Zealand's attack, and Neil Wagner is introduced into the action. His first ball leaves a lot to be desired, but he picks up the valuable wicket of Cook with his second, after the England captain cuts the ball straight to point.
ENG 18-2WICKET! Cook (10) c Rutherford b Wagner
ENG 18-1Cook survives two scares in as many balls. He plays and misses at Boult's first ball, before the diving Bruce Martin drops the England skipper at midwicket. Cook gets off strike with a single from the next ball.
ENG 17-1More good stuff from Southee, keeping Trott at bay with his first four balls before Trott just about keeps out an in-swinging delivery. Second successive maiden for Southee.
ENG 17-1Boult begins with two dot balls, before Trott whips the ball away for a single. Cook continues to look composed and he sees off the final three balls with ease. It has been a slow start by England, but they will be happy to keep wickets in hand for the rest of the day.
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ENG 16-1Southee has been the more impressive of New Zealand's opening bowlers, and he keeps Cook on his toes with his varying length as he records the first maiden over of the innings.
ENG 16-1Trott doesn't show much intent in scoring with the first four deliveries, before he latches on to a full ball and dispatches it through the covers for four. There appears to be a decent crowd building up inside the University Oval.
ENG 12-1Southee beats the outside edge with his opening delivery, before Trott gets off the mark with a nice push down the ground for three.
ENG 9-1Cook records England's first boundary of the series with a perfectly-timed four off the back foot. There doesn't look to be a great deal of pace in the pitch, but it is causing the batsmen some problems.
ENG 5-1That wasn't the start that England were looking for, and they will be keen to ensure that New Zealand don't get too much confidence from that breakthrough. Trott gets through the remainder of the over without needing to play a shot.
ENG 5-1Just as I mention the importance of Compton's contribution in this Test match, he is dismissed for a duck after he deflects the ball onto his stumps. Jonathan Trott is the new batsman.
ENG 5-1WICKET! Compton (0) b Southee
ENG 4-0Trent Boult is on at the other end, but Cook gets him away to bring Nick Compton onto strike. This is a big Test match for Compton, and he successfully sees off his opening three balls without alarm.
ENG 3-0Tim Southee has the new ball for the hosts, and he begins with five dot balls, before Cook flicks the ball off his pads for three.
9.00pmThe hope is that we will get 98 overs of play in today, with an extended morning session. The players are ready in the middle. Alastair Cook will face the first ball.
8.56pmThe latest pictures from Dunedin show plenty of blue sky, with the odd black cloud drifting away. We look all set to get going in just a few minutes time.
8.53pmENGLAND XI: Cook, Compton, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Root, Prior, Broad, Finn, Anderson, Panesar
8.50pmNEW ZEALAND XI: Fulton, Rutherford, Williamson, Taylor, Brownlie, McCullum, Watling, Southee, Martin, Wagner, Boult
8.47pmIncase you missed the team news yesterday, it was revealed that England bowler Graeme Swann would miss the series with an elbow injury, with Monty Panesar replacing him for this Test match, and James Tredwell being added to the squad.
8.43pmDespite winning the toss, McCullum has inadvertently put his side at a disadvantage. There would have been plenty of swing around yesterday with the overcast conditions, but with the sun likely to be out for the majority of the day, England could take advantage and post a significant first innings score.
8.39pmToday is technically the first day of the series, but the issue of the toss was decided yesterday before bad light intervened. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss, and he elected to field first.
8.36pmAs stated above, play is due to begin at 9pm GMT time today. That is half an hour earlier than scheduled, but it is hoped that by starting early for the next four days, then the time lost yesterday can be made up.
8.33pmWell, the first thing I can tell you is that it isn't raining! The weather looks clear in Dunedin, and it is expected that we will get a full day's play in today.
8.31pmHello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of day two of the first Test match between New Zealand and England.
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New Zealand
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