Daniel Vettori fell 12 runs shy of his third test century as New Zealand made 470 in their first innings. Photo / Getty Images
New Zealand took two late wickets to stall an England fightback on the second day of the first cricket test at Seddon Park here today.
After chipping steadily at New Zealand's first innings of 470, the tourists finished their day on 87 runs for two wickets, having lost
Alastair Cook (38) and nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard (2) inside the last five overs.
Cook initiated his own demise when he took the bait offered by Chris Martin and pulled the ball to square leg where substitute fielder Nick Horsley advanced 10-metres to take a smart, diving catch.
Hoggard edged the seventh ball he faced to Stephen Fleming at first slip.
Chris Martin was the benefactor, finishing with two wickets for 27 runs.
England, 383 in arrears, resume their innings tomorrow with captain Michael Vaughan on 44 and Andrew Strauss on one.
Earlier, New Zealand took control from a potentially vulnerable 282-6 on the back of Ross Taylor's maiden test century and 88 from skipper Daniel Vettori.
New Zealand's last recognised batsmen, the pair gave an early indication of the comfortable batting conditions as their liaison blossomed into a record seventh-wicket stand of 148 against England.
Taylor, who resumed his first test innings on home soil on 54, registered his first test hundred before lunch and top scored with 120 before he fell to part-timer Kevin Pietersen's second ball.
Vettori appeared on course to record his third century and first since his 127 against Zimbabwe in Harare three years ago but he fell a dozen runs short after being caught by Andrew Strauss off Paul Collingwood - one of nine chances taken by England's fielders.
Tailender Chris Martin was the only exception, losing his off stump first ball to give Ryan Sidebottom deserved figures of 4-90 from 34.3 overs.
Horsley was substituting in the field for Matthew Bell, who suffered a finger injury when struck at short leg by a Vaughan pull shot.
- NZPA
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