9 May 2015

Black Caps struggling in England

10:15 am on 9 May 2015

Poor light ended play early on the first day of the opening match in the Black Caps' England tour - but they're struggling against Somerset.

Debutant Mitchell Santner is watchful at Taunton

Debutant Mitchell Santner is watchful during the day's play at Taunton. Photo: Photosport

The tourists were 202 for seven at stumps, batting first in their four-day warm-up at Taunton.

That score came largely thanks to stand-in skipper BJ Watling, who delivered a fighting captain's knock with an unbeaten 52.

The wicketkeeper batsman came to the crease with the New Zealand XI in trouble at 109 for four.

Almost two hours later, when play was called off for bad light after 59 overs, Watling walked off holding his bat with a potential poor start averted.

He will continue on the second day alongside Neil Wagner as the visitors look to play their way back into the match.

Hamish Rutherford got a start against Somerset but couldn't push on

The Black Caps' Hamish Rutherford got a start against Somerset but couldn't push on. Photo: Photosport

Watling's 57-run partnership with Doug Bracewell (20) and then Wagner (nine not out) frustrated Somerset, who were the dominant team for the majority of the opening day.

Hamish Rutherford (37), Ross Taylor (32) and debutant Mitchell Santner (27) all got starts in the testing conditions but couldn't carry on with the job as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals.