England seize the initiative

England's new-look line-up produced a vibrant, positive display but failed to overcome New Zealand's hidden depths of resistance as the two sides battled for early supremacy at the Oval yesterday.

Fielding a line-up with two debutants and the returning Ronnie Irani, England captain Nasser Hussain had called for a display of energy, enthusiasm and above all a sense of enjoyment to lift the spirits. He was given that and more with every member of his new five-man attack contributing to reduce New Zealand, looking every inch a side exhausted from four months on tour, to the brink of a small first innings total.

This summer's series has been nothing, however, if not fluctuating and after slipping to 104 for 7, New Zealand found new reserves of strength with captain Stephen Fleming steering them to 170 for 8 by the close of the opening day of the deciding Test.

England's fortunes fluctuated virtually from the moment captain Hussain won the toss.

Before four overs had been delivered England had missed two glorious opportunities to dismiss openers Matthew Horne and Matthew Bell before either batsmen had scored.

Both chances fell to Hussain at mid-on and on each occasion New Zealand were saved. Bell was the first batsman to escape. Off the ninth ball of the day he was turned back by non-striker Horne as Hussain pounced quickly on the loose ball.

Hussain threw at the wicket as Bell vainly attempted to recover his ground, but Mark Ramprakash fumbled behind the stumps. Two overs later, Bell pushed another quick single but quickly changed his mind to leave Horne scurrying back to the crease. Hussain's throw missed the stumps. Those two early setbacks must have concerned Hussain, particularly with an attack featuring only two players - Andy Caddick and Phil Tufnell - with more than 25 Test appearances.

His young charges, selected for their "spirit and fight", justified their inclusions, however, by claiming six wickets for 48 runs in just 26 overs to swing the momentum firmly in England's favour.

New Zealand's strength so far in the series has been the consistent performances of their batsman, but for once they folded in a similar manner to the desperate displays of England's batsmen which have resulted in them conceding a first innings deficit in 13 consecutive Tests.

Caddick, though, was the pick of England's attack, consistently causing problems with extra movement and bounce and deserved his two-wicket haul. Warwickshire seamer Giddins, who began his Test career nervously with his first delivery going so wide that first slip Michael Atherton had to field, combined with fellow debutant Maddy to claim Roger Twose.

Fleming, who finished unbeaten on 52 after battling for over three hours at the crease, and Dion Nash had added a crucial 53 off 152 balls - a partnership which threatened to undermine England's earlier spirit and enterprise.

Hussain's decision to take the new ball at 156 for 7 provided Caddick with the extra impetus to end the flourishing stand and he found the extra bounce to outwit Nash, who gave a simple catch to Ramprakash at short leg.

New Zealand captain Fleming, who hit three magnificent boundaries during his considered innings, remained defiant, however, and with Daniel Vettori hammering Mullally for another four off the final delivery of the day, Hussain's new-look England may face another struggle today before the tourists' resilience is finally overcome.