The New Zealand pace attack bowled with great discipline as England crawled to 160 for four on a tense and absorbing opening day of the first Test at Lord's yesterday.
No England batsman reached 40 and no partnership realised more than 45, the hosts adopting a cautious approach after winning the toss on the first day of the two-match series.
Jonathan Trott top-scored for England with 39, Alastair Cook made 32 and Ian Bell 31 but no batsman mastered a very slow pitch at the home of cricket.
Joe Root, on 25, and Jonny Bairstow, three, were the not-out batsmen when rain ended play 10 overs early.
Trott believes the Lord's wicket played its part in a ponderous first day. Eighty overs were bowled, including 30 maidens, with New Zealand showing disciplined bowling on a surface which encouraged a bat- and-ball stalemate.
Nick Compton lost his patience, and his wicket, in mid-morning, and England's response was to occupy the crease at all costs – at the expense of worthwhile progress for long periods.
Trott himself was out not long before tea, the second victim of Trent Boult after making 39 and he pointed to the surface, saying: "[It was] very hard graft, I don't think it is a very fluid wicket, I think it's going to be scruffy. We're going to have to work hard.
"We're quite spoiled normally by good wickets. It was a hard day but a good start to the Test series. New Zealand bowled well and stuck to being disciplined and made life difficult for us."
Of his own dismissal, Trott added: "I was disappointed to get out just before tea. Ian [Bell] and myself had a good partnership which you need if you are to build a good innings."
Boult believes the first hour today will be pivotal but he was positive about New Zealand's day. He said: "We stuck to our plans and built pressure and we'd definitely have taken 160 for four at the end of the first day. There will be lots to be done in the first hour and it will set the tone for the rest of the day so we're looking forward to that."
He added: "It was pretty satisfying, and it fulfilled expectations.As a group, we bowled pretty well. It was frustrating the weather crept in with 10 overs to go but we're looking forward to a big day tomorrow."
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