Cricket: Richardson falls just short as NZ reach 284-5

7.00am - By MARK GEENTY

LONDON - Mark Richardson lamented another test century gone begging as Jacob Oram loomed as New Zealand's big hope in an evenly poised first cricket test against England here today.

Richardson wandered off saluting a standing ovation from the Lord's members an agonising seven runs short of his fourth test century as New Zealand posted 284 for five.

Oram stood firm on 64 not out, already a class display of power hitting, and will resume tomorrow with nightwatchman Daryl Tuffey, then Chris Cairns and Brendon McCullum to follow as the tourists chase 400-plus.

Richardson had a right to feel aggrieved when his 378-minute epic ended in the day's penultimate over, leg before wicket to paceman Stephen Harmison when replays showed umpire Darrell Hair missed an inside edge.

It was Richardson's third test score in the 90s and his seventh between 80 and 100, and he was typically candid about it afterwards.

"It was pretty dour, miserable, pokey and proddy really, but probably required in the situation," he said, after struggling to the press conference with leg cramps and his ongoing back problem.

"They don't put 90s up in the scoreboard in the changing room. It's every cricketer's dream to come out and score 100 at Lord's so to be eight runs short is very disappointing."

Richardson had some luck, a missed run out by Matthew Hoggard on 51 and a dropped catch by Ashley Giles on 56, but he continually frustrated England's bowlers with his stonewalling.

He featured in two key stands either side of a mini middle order collapse which claimed Scott Styris and Craig McMillan.

He and Nathan Astle added 103 in 152 balls -- Astle scoring 64 of them -- then 106 off 158 balls with Oram who dominated with 10 boundaries.

Richardson praised the accurate England pace attack, of which Welshman Simon Jones was the pick with two for 54 off 19 overs.

"There's a bit in the wicket but I'd say anything over 350's not a bad effort. From here we have to look to get over 400."

New Zealand started well against a first stanza from Hoggard and Stephen Harmison which was hardly searching.

The openers added 58 as Stephen Fleming looked at ease in his first start as a test opener, having called correctly at Marcus Trescothick's coin toss.

Jones and Andrew Flintoff turned it around for England, slamming on the brakes and a frustrated Fleming hit a soft catch to point when well set on 34.

Astle also relished his positional switch to No 3, and after a shaky beginning against Harmison went for it after lunch.

New Zealand added 66 in the third hour, Astle scoring 48 of them as he raced to 50 off 58 balls and the tourists had the test at their mercy at 161 for one.

But England's pace attack rallied and New Zealand lost three for 13 in 14 painful overs.

Astle, having edged Flintoff perfectly between second and third slip, added just four more before Flintoff nipped one away and the edge found wicketkeeper Geraint Jones. After a rollicking 77-ball Astle knock of 64, including 11 fours, the momentum swung back.

Styris' first visit to Lord's lasted just three balls when Jones nicked him out, then McMillan dropped anchor for 52 minutes for six before Hoggard trapped him dead in front on the crease.

New Zealand coach John Bracewell then pulled one out of the hat with Oram, having shunted him to No 8 in the South Africa series.

While Richardson grafted, Oram raced off with two straight driven fours off Harmison. Then the fun started when Giles came on.

Five overs, 32 runs and five boundaries from a charging Oram later, and the left-arm spinner's day was finished.

New Zealand first innings

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 not out 64

D Tuffey not out 2

Extras (8b, 4lb, 2w, 7nb) 21

Total (for 5 wkts, 88.2 overs) 284

Fall: 58 (Fleming), 161 (Astle), 162 (Styris), 174 (McMillan), 280 (Richardson).

Bowling: M Hoggard 20-6-59-1 (3nb, 1w), S Harmison 24-7-77-1, A Flintoff 20.2-7-50-1 (2nb), S Jones 19-8-54-2 (2nb), A Giles 5-0-32-0 (1w).

- NZPA