New Zealand stifle England in first Test

LONDON: New Zealand took charge of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday, reducing England to 160 for four when rain forced an early close to the first day.

England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and batted but his side rarely got out of first gear in the face of some accurate bowling by the tourists.

Trent Boult was the pick of the attack, removing both Cook and Jonathan Trott after lunch on his way to an economical return of two wickets for 29 runs in 17 overs.

Fellow left-arm seamer Neil Wagner then dismissed Ian Bell for 31 in the final session.

When rain forced an early close, the inexperienced Yorkshire duo of Joe Root (25 not out) and Jonathan Bairstow (three not out) were at the crease.

England's plight would have been worse had not Jonathan Trott, who made a painstaking 39, been dropped by Bruce Martin off his own bowling when on nought.

New Zealand bowled 30 maidens in 80 overs on Thursday -- a testament to
their accuracy and the inability of an England top-order missing the injured Kevin Pietersen to hit them out of their stride.

England got off to a slow start with only two boundaries in the morning session. Nevertheless, Cook and fellow opener Nick Compton were rarely troubled until the introduction of Bruce Martin, the sole specialist spinner in the side after he was preferred to Doug Bracewell.

New Zealand reeled off four consecutive maidens, before left-armer Martin floated a delivery up to Compton who, trying to hit 'inside out', miscued and was well caught off the edge by Tim Southee, running back at point for 16.

At lunch, England were 56 for one with left-hander Cook 30 not out and
Trott unbeaten on four.

But Boult had his revenge soon afterwards when Cook, on 32, edged
defensively at a full length ball and wicket-keeper BJ Watling took a low diving catch to leave England 67 for two.

Trott exited shortly before tea when he edged Boult and third slip Dean Brownlie, diving in front of second slip, held an excellent catch.

Trott's 39 took him 96 balls, with England 112 for three.

Bell, a Warwickshire colleague of Trott, was even more becalmed, his 31
taking 133 balls. His innings ended when he followed a delivery slanted across him from Wagner and was caught behind.

This is the first of a two-match series which concludes with the second Test at Headingley starting a week on Friday. (AFP)