Cricket: Black Caps still eye test win despite bowling woes

New Zealand's cricket team still give themselves a royal show of winning the first test despite Chris Cairns' heroics being eroded by a ragged bowling performance against England here today.

The home side were in the driver's seat after a frantic second day as left-hander Andrew Strauss' 112 on debut led them to 246 for two in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 386.

New Zealand had Cairns to thank for their roughly par score as he unleashed one of the most savage test batting assaults at Lord's with his 82 off 47 balls.

The star allrounder, in his final test at the home of cricket, topped West Indian Viv Richards' world record of 84 career sixes as he deposited four over the pickets to go with his 10 fours.

The tourists though would feel decidedly flat after sending down 17 no-balls and offering Strauss and Marcus Trescothick too many gifts through the off side in their opening stand of 190.

The standout bowler was Jacob Oram, revelling in his Lord's debut, who removed Trescothick for 86 after four consecutive maidens. He ended the day with one for 34 off 17 but the other pacemen all had mixed days.

Cairns, who bowled with some venom but went for 54 off 12 overs, was adamant New Zealand could dust themselves off.

"We're still well and truly in the game. I think England are currently in the box seat, but this wicket is going to have a big say," Cairns said.

"With the forecast for a fine weekend it's going to dry out even more, and if we can keep England to around our score, leaving them a few runs to chase I think it could be a very good test match."

New Zealand had their chances, Brendon McCullum missing a tough Trescothick leg side chance off Cairns on 39.

Strauss got two let-offs in the 90s when he edged Chris Martin onto leg stump but the bail didn't dislodge, then a fireball was put down low at gully by Oram.

Spinner Daniel Vettori ended the five hour, 215-ball innings by inducing a bat-pad catch -- his first test wicket in six innings and 117 overs since his four for 158 against South Africa in Hamilton.

"It's just been an unbelievable day, an absolute dream to score 100 at Lord's on your debut," said Strauss, who was congratulated first by his former Middlesex teammate Stephen Fleming.

Cairns' stunning assault saw him depart to a prolonged standing ovation from every one of the 25,000 Friday crowd at Lord's, from the members in their red and yellow striped ties and Panama hats to the various branches of the New Zealand's beige brigade.

New Zealand needed it after Oram was caught behind in the day's second over for 67, having added just three to his overnight score, before night watchman Tuffey, McCullum and Vettori all departed in the space of 14 balls.

Cairns looked in a mood to plunder when he endangered Matthew Hoggard's life with back to back straight drives.

But the fun didn't really start until New Zealand lost their ninth wicket at 338 and Martin wandered out.

Cairns farmed the strike expertly then unleashed, equalling Richards' record when he cracked Harmison off middle stump over the cover boundary.

Andrew Flintoff then suffered as Cairns casually flicked him over mid-wicket for the world record, then cleared the cover fence again.

Suddenly three figures looked a chance but Cairns top edged Flintoff to fine leg.

The innings lasted just 62 minutes, with the 10th wicket stand worth 48 off 28 balls. Martin's contribution: one not out off six balls.

Speedster Harmison took three of the four wickets to fall in a much improved spell, ending with four for 126 from 31 overs.

NZ V ENGLAND SCOREBOARD



New Zealand



First innings (284-5 overnight)

M Richardson lbw b Harmison 93

S Fleming c Strauss b S Jones 34

N Astle c G Jones b Flintoff 64

S Styris c G Jones b S Jones 0

C McMillan lbw b Hoggard 6

J Oram c G Jones b Harmison 67

D Tuffey b Harmison 8

C Cairns c Harmison b Flintoff 82

B McCullum b S Jones 5

D Vettori b Harmison 2

C Martin not out 1

Extras (9b, 6lb, 2w, 7nb) 24

Total (102.4 overs) 386

Fall: 58 (Fleming), 161 (Astle), 162 (Styris), 174 (McMillan), 280 (Richardson), 287 (Oram), 324 (Tuffey), 329 (McCullum), 338 (Vettori), 386 (Cairns).

Bowling: M Hoggard 22-7-68-1 (3nb, 1w), S Harmison 31-7-126-4, A Flintoff 21.4-7-63-2 (2nb), S Jones 23-8-82-3 (2nb), A Giles 5-0-32-0 (1w).


England


First innings

M Trescothick c McCullum b Oram 86

A Strauss c Richardson b Vettori 112

M Butcher not out 22

M Hoggard not out 0

Extras (3b, 6lb, 17nb) 26

Total (for 2 wkts, 74 overs) 246

Fall: 190 (Trescothick), 239 (Strauss).

Bowling: D Tuffey 17-4-48-0 (7nb), C Martin 16-2-65-0 (1nb), J Oram 17-6-34-1 (3nb), C Cairns 12-2-54-0 (6nb), D Vettori 12-1-36-1.



- NZPA