Fleming, Papps share record stand

Fleming and Papps took the score to 202-1 just before tea before the Kiwis suffered a middle-order collapse.

Andrew Flintoff trapped Papps for 86, Fleming was caught by England captain Michael Vaughan off Steve Harmison three short of his century. Then Nathan Astle was caught by a diving Mark Butcher off Martin Saggers for two as the Kiwis slipped to 215-4.

Although England also dismissed Scott Styris for 21 and Jacob Oram for 39, an unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 58 by Chris Cairns 41 not out and Brendon McCullum 31 gave the Black Caps the chance to build a big total going into the third day.

The two teams made a prompt start after Thursday8217;s play was restricted to just 19 overs by rain and bad light. England8217;s only success on day one was the removal of left-handed opener Mark Richardson for 13 with the score on 33.

Papps, brought into the lineup in place of the injured Craig McMillan, resumed on 24 and team captain Fleming, who dropped to No. 3, was on three.

Under a cloudy sky, Fleming survived a shout for lbw before turning a ball from Matthew Hoggard off his hip for the first boundary of the day.

Papps thick-edged another delivery from Hoggard to the boundary and the Yorkshire bowler was furious to see wicket-keeper Geraint Jones fail to gather and let four byes slip through.

England should have captured a second wicket at 86-1 when Ashley Giles dropped a difficult catch at gully off Papps who edged a ball from Flintoff. Giles, England8217;s only specialist spinner in the lineup, was forced off the field with a damaged finger.

Then Papps went for a run after pushing the ball through gully. substitute fielder Paul Collingwood ran in to gather but missed the stumps with Fleming two yards short of the crease.

Brief scores

New Zealand: 351 for 6 S Fleming 97, M Papps 86, C Cairns 41n.o, B McCullum 31n.o.; A Flintoff 2/52, M Saggers 2/64, S Harmison 2/65 v England.