8 Mar 2013

Black Caps dominate first test against England

8:22 am on 8 March 2013

A trio of newcomers played starring roles on a dream day for New Zealand cricket in the opening test against England in Dunedin.

The Black Caps made up for a rained-out first day by skittling England for 167, and replying with an unbroken first wicket partnership of 131.

The left-arm pace bowler Neil Wagner and spinner Bruce Martin celebrated their test debuts with four wickets each, and the young opening batsman Hamish Rutherford is well on the way to a century on debut.

Rutherford finished the day 77 not out in his first test innings, while the Fulton had made 46 in his first test in three years with the Black Caps set to resume needing just another 37 runs to take a first innings lead.

It's New Zealand's first opening stand of more than 100 in 11 tests.

Jonathan Trott top-scored for England with 45.

But the Black Caps' bid for victory could be frustrated by the weather as showers are forecast for the next two days.