Cricket: Black Caps get their toes wet on tour

Stand-in captain BJ Watling steadied New Zealand's innings against Somerset with an unbeaten 52. Photo / PHOTOSPORT

The New Zealand cricketers got an early taste of what they will face on their tour of England.

In cold, overcast conditions yesterday that was also blighted by some rain and bad light, the Black Caps battled through to 202 for seven on the opening day of their four-day first-class match against Somerset to begin the England tour.

Play was called off for bad light after 59 overs at Taunton - rain also delayed the start by 90 minutes.

New Zealand were dismissed early on day two for 237 but had Somerset reeling at 4 for two, 9 for three and 54 for five after 14 overs. Ben Wheeler was the chief destroyer, taking four wickets for just six runs from his first seven overs.

New Zealand have only 11 fit players available with six of their squad involved in the IPL, including Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry. Opener Martin Guptill, who joined Derbyshire after the World Cup, is also sidelined with a side strain.

Stand-in captain BJ Watling steadied New Zealand's innings and top-scored with 65. He entered with the Black Caps 109-4 and survived almost two hours before play was called off on day one.

"That is just BJ," said Neil Wagner. "He is a fighter and he is at his best in tough conditions and he showed his worth. It was a great show of his character."

It was also a good chance for the New Zealand team to try to adjust to the conditions and the Duke ball in preparation for the first test at Lord's starting May 21.

"The ball swung for long periods and some [deliveries] seemed to nip and jag a bit off the deck," Wagner said. "For us, it's really good preparation to play against that and good to get a feel for it."

Somerset have lost all three of their first-class County Championship so far this season, and never beaten New Zealand in 12 attempts, but three wickets from Tim Groenewald and two each from Scottish international Josh Davey and Jim Allenby made inroads into New Zealand's top order.

Hamish Rutherford (37 from 36 balls), Mitchell Santner (27 from 65 batting at No 3 on debut) and Ross Taylor (32 from 47) got starts.