The spine of New Zealand's test cricket batting line-up fractured alarmingly during their first exposure to a full-strength English attack at University Oval in Dunedin yesterday.
Guesting for an Otago Selection 11, Matthew Bell, Stephen Fleming, Peter Fulton and Matthew Sinclair made just seven runs between them as
New Zealand reached 56 for five at lunch.
An erratic Steve Harmison and new ball partner Matthew Hoggard cut a swathe through the basis of a New Zealand batting unit expected to front at Hamilton's Seddon Park on March 5.
As a dress rehearsal, it was a reality check for a quartet that collectively flopped on a wicket England were able to post 369 for nine on before declaring overnight.
Incumbent first drop Fulton is the most at risk of missing test selection.
His 16-ball duck and demise to a loose cut shot encapsulated the woeful time he is enduring against the tourists.
In five innings he failed to reach double figures, with the one-day series yielding just eight runs at 2.5. While his knock yesterday was forgettable, Fulton was not alone as Bell, Fleming and Sinclair all spurned an opportunity to have a decent look at England's pace attack before the first of three tests.
Opener Bell lasted 11 balls before edging the impressive Hoggard to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.
Fleming glided an early boundary over point but was gone soon after, flicking Harmison to Phil Mustard at square leg.
The former captain made five off nine balls.
Sinclair, thought to be battling to retain his spot after an unconvincing series against Bangladesh, made two off 20 balls before snicking James Anderson into the slips cordon.
The selection 11 were in dire straits at 18 for four after 10 overs, with extras providing the bulk of the runs.
However, Swing bowler Hoggard was on target from the outset, his first six-over spell including four maidens and two wickets at a run apiece.
- NZPA
