Debutants put NZ on top

Martin,a left-arm spinner,was first picked in a New Zealand Test squad in 1999 but had to wait 14 years before being selected again and making his test debut at age 32.

Bruce Martin took four wickets and opener Hamish Rutherford made an unbeaten half century in exceptional debuts as New Zealand bowled out England for 167,then reached 131 without loss by stumps Thursday on the second day of the first Test.

Martin,a left-arm spinner,was first picked in a New Zealand Test squad in 1999 but had to wait 14 years before being selected again and making his test debut at age 32. He returned 4-43 and South African-born paceman Neil Wagner had 4-42 as New Zealand dismissed England in the first two sessions after the scheduled first day was washed out by rain.

Rutherford,the son of former New Zealand test captain Ken Rutherford,then made an unbeaten 77 in his first test innings and Peter Fulton was 46 not out as New Zealand closed within 36 runs of Englands total. The opening pair batted 42 overs before stumps and were helped by shoddy England fielding,including three dropped catches.

England continued its run of poor form in the opening matches of Test series England hasnt won the first test of an away series since 2004. The English havent won after being dismissed for under 200 in the first innings of any test in 13 years. New Zealand won the toss and elected to field on the first day of the match Wednesday,but heavy rain meant no play was possible. The second day began in cold but fine weather,negating the advantage New Zealand had sought when captain Brendon McCullum opted to bowl in humid conditions.

New Zealands bowlers still managed on a relatively placid pitch to remove Englands batsmen in only two sessions. After the new ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult had each claimed a wicket,Wagner dismissed captain Alastair Cook 10 and Kevin Pietersen 0 with consecutive deliveries.Martin then ran through the middle and lower order,dismissing Jonathan Trott for the innings top score of 45,Matt Prior 23,Stuart Broad 10 and James Anderson 23 whose wicket was the last to fall. Rutherford chipped in with three catches in an outstanding day for the Kiwi newcomers.

Brief Scores: England 1st Innings: 167 Jonathan Trott 45; Neil Wagner 4/42,Bruce Martin 4/43,New Zealand 1st Innings: 131 for no loss Hamish Rutherford 77 n.o,Peter Fulton 46 n.o out