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Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose and England's last recognised batsman Paul Collingwood combined to prevent New Zealand running through the tourists on the opening day of the second cricket test at the Basin Reserve here today.
United when England were vulnerable at 136 for five in the 51st over, Ambrose and Collingwood arrested the slide with an unbeaten partnership of 155 for the sixth wicket.
Ambrose was the aggressor, reaching stumps a tantalisingly three runs short of his maiden hundred.
His classy unbeaten 97 off 137 deliveries included 15 boundaries and two sixes.
Collingwood reached stumps on 48 and was happy to play the support role.
He regained his composure after offering two aerial half chances and being fortunate to survive a leg before wicket appeal to Mark Gillespie while in the 30s.
Originally from Australia, Ambrose made 55 and nought in his test debut against New Zealand in the first test in Hamilton, and showcased his tenacity and effective strokeplay today.
He posted his half-century off 68 balls with his eighth boundary and the 100-run partnership with Collingwood with his ninth -- both off otherwise miserly medium pacer Jacob Oram.
Until Ambrose and Collingwood knuckled down England were on the brink of collapse after a promising opening stand.
Resuming after lunch on 79 without loss, captain Michael Vaughan swiftly became the first of Oram's two victims when a delivery nipped off the seam to clip off stump to end his contribution on 32.
Alastair Cook departed in Oram's next over for 44 when he edged to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum and when Kyle Mills had Andrew Strauss snicking to McCullum for eight, England were 94 for three.
Ian Bell responded by hooking his first ball from Mills close to a slow reacting Mark Gillespie at fine leg and although he was also dropped by McCullum when on one he managed only an unconvincing 11 after the wicketkeeper atoned for the earlier lapse.
Kevin Pietersen made another promising start before playing down the wrong line on 31 as a ball from Gillespie clattered into off stump.
At this stage England had lost their entire top order for the addition of just 57 runs in the middle session.
Oram was the standout in the middle session, his second spell producing the remarkable figures of two for six from nine overs.
The tall allrounder had two for eight off 14 at tea and only conceded his first boundary off the 104th ball he delivered.
He ended a tiring day with the impressive analysis of two for 25 off 22 overs.
- NZPA
