KEY POINTS:
England's bowlers are confident they've further lowered the New Zealand top order's confidence, but quelling Brendon McCullum in the three-test cricket series is another matter.
The theme of the home series continued on day one of the first test at Lord's when England's seamers dominated New Zealand's rejigged top-six - McCullum excepted.
Under grey skies on a seaming pitch, the batsmen including debutants Aaron Redmond and Daniel Flynn were given a torrid welcome to Lord's as they slumped to 104 for five.
James Anderson, who led England's opening day effort with the early scalps of Redmond for nought and Jamie How for seven to end with figures of three for 42, admitted some key psychological blows were dealt.
"We bowled pretty well at the top order and didn't let them score easily, hopefully we've put a dent in their confidence," Anderson said.
Not so McCullum, whose shift up to No 5 was crucial for New Zealand's chances of refloating a sinking innings as England eyed an unbeatable advantage.
James Marshall's grafting 24 was the best of the other batsmen, with the top-four all caught behind the wicket against Anderson and Stuart Broad.
A confident McCullum, fresh from the Indian Premier League where he blazed 158 off 73 deliveries, moved around the crease and made life tough for the bowlers in his run-a-ball knock which included 13 fours and two sixes.
"He played tremendously well and when he gets in that mode it's quite hard to tie him down," Anderson said.
"We've got plans for him but when he gets in that frame of mind and starts moving around the crease it is a little bit off-putting."
It was McCullum's ninth test half-century and fifth against England, boosting his average to 42 from seven test innings on English soil.
He was happy to ride his luck on the tricky surface in a familiar rescue act.
"It felt like I'd been there before, 41 for three. I worked out after the first over it was extremely tough batting conditions and you are going to need some luck to get a score.
"It almost calmed me down a little bit, that you could be happy with almost playing an ugly innings as long as you got the runs on the board.
"Even at 100 for five we were teetering, in real danger of being rock and rolled."
Having done the hard work then increased the tempo by smashing both Monty Panesar and Broad for six, McCullum looked certain for a first century in England.
But memories of his 96 here four years ago came flooding back, bowled by spinner Panesar in a cruel ending to a vital knock.
"It felt a lot different this time around. The last time I got very nervous during the 90s whereas this time I felt quite comfortable and quite calm," McCullum said.
"For the last four years I've been thinking about it, I decided to remain aggressive and confident in my play. In the end I just missed a straight one."
It will be back to the nets for New Zealand top-order in the knowledge that at least in the second innings the conditions will be friendlier with some juice out of the pitch.
- NZPA
