NICK KNIGHT'S early dismissal followed more ragged bowling yesterday as England found themselves involved in a first Test struggle in Auckland.

Knight was Ibw to Simon Doull for only five as England reached 39 for one tea in reply to New Zealand's 390.

Earlier Stephen Fleming, last out for 129, and Chris Cairns had savaged England's bowlers in a sixth-wicket stand of 118. The pair plundered 105 runs from the morning session, Cairns striking Phil Tufnell for two sixes and also including seven fours in his 67.

Fleming, the classy left-hander, completed his maiden Test ton with a smooth off-driven four off Dominic Cork and had struck a six and 18 fours when he gave Dominic Cork a smart return catch.

Darren Gough took three for 22 in a final seven-over spell to at least restrict the Kiwis to a total below 400. But England's batsmen had been left with much to do by the overall failings of their bowlers both yesterday morning and today.

Though England's reply did not get off to a good start, Atherton was at last showing signs of putting his nightmare run of form behind him. He had cover driven Doull for four to go into double figures, and then England's captain greeted the introduction of Cairns by pulling him for another boundary.

Stewart, however, was in aggressive mood pulling Cairns for six and then square cutting him for four in the last over before tea.

Doull had made only five when he edged Gough to Nick Knight at second slip to give the Yorkshire paceman his fourth wicket of the innings. And New Zealand were all out for 390 when Fleming drove a sharp return catch toe Cork to bring to an end his brilliant 129.

Gough finished with four for 91 and Cork three for 96, but the overall failings of England's attack had thrown the pressure on to Mike Atherton and his batsmen.

Germon's first scoring shot after lunch was a dismissive pull-hook for six off Mullally, and two balls later he steered him to the third man boundary.

Fleming then on-drove Cork for four to reach 116 but, at 362, England at last had something to shout about with Gough taking two wickets in successive balls.

Germon, trying to hook, gloved a legside catch to a tumbling Stewart and then Dipak Patel was undone by an inswinger and lbw first ball for nought.

Simon Doull wafted the hat-trick ball high over gully for four but, with New Zealand now 366-8, England had renewed hope of damage limitation.

The pitch offered little pace but a small degree of seam movement and some unevenness of bounce. Mostly, there was swing in the muggy morning.