Cricket: Astle kickstarts NZ offensive

Nathan Astle went on the offensive as New Zealand cruised past 100 for the loss of just captain Stephen Fleming's wicket midway through day one of the first cricket test against England at Lord's in London today.

Astle, playing his comeback test after a seven-month layoff with a knee injury, launched New Zealand to a position of strength at 114 for one nearly an hour into the middle session.

Opener Mark Richardson was at his stoic best, nearing his fourth hour at the crease still unbeaten on 36.

Astle took 12 off an over from England paceman Matthew Hoggard just after the interval then added a sweetly struck cover drive in Hoggard's next over to move to 33 with his fifth four.

Fleming, picked to open the batting for the first time in his test career, made a bright 34 before being the only wicket to fall in the morning session on an excellent batting surface.

New Zealand had the morning session at their mercy at 47 without loss after one hour, but change bowlers Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones slammed the brakes on the tourists' progress.

Fleming cruised to 34 including four boundaries as openers Hoggard and Stephen Harmison struggled to make an impact.

Jones though made the breakthrough in the 23rd over when Fleming drive at a wide one and hit a soft catch to his former Middlesex teammate and debut opener Andrew Strauss at point to make it 58 for one.

Astle started shakily and survived a caught behind appeal off Flintoff and a streaky edge through gully.

Replays showed umpire Darrell Hair was correct to turn down the caught behind appeal with Astle yet to score, even though Flintoff was adamant.

Richardson got his innings moving just before the break with a brace of boundaries off Jones, one an edge over third slip and the other a powerful cover drive.

England omitted allrounder Paul Collingwood and paceman James Anderson, with Strauss named for his test debut on his home ground, replacing injured captain Michael Vaughan.

New Zealand

First innings

M Richardson not out 32

S Fleming c Strauss b Jones 34

N Astle not out 8

Extras (1b, 1lb, 4nb) 6

Total (for 1 wkt, 28 overs) 80

Fall: 58 (Fleming).

Bowling: M Hoggard 8-2-21-0 (2nb), S Harmison 7-1-28-0, A Flintoff 7-3-13-0 (1nb), S Jones 6-2-16-1 (1nb).

- NZPA