Sidebottom helps England take control

The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer claimed seven for 47 - taking his tally since returning to the England side to 52 wickets - and ensured the tourists claimed a crucial first innings lead just as New Zealand seemed set to take control at McLean Park.

Sidebottom's stunning spell after lunch prompted the hosts to lose nine for 65 in 25 overs and secured an 85-run first innings lead, which was extended to 176 with the tourists reaching 91 for two at stumps.

England had resumed on 240 for seven hoping to frustrate New Zealand at least until lunch, but the tourists were dismissed in only 4.1 overs with emerging seamer Tim Southee claiming five wickets on his debut.

Southee, player of the tournament during the recent Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, had Stuart Broad caught behind off the first ball of the day and removed last man Sidebottom three overs later to finish with five for 55, the best figures on debut for New Zealand since Alex Moir grabbed six for 155 against England in Christchurch in 1951.

Sidebottom responded to England's collapse immediately and earned an lbw decision against opener Matthew Bell with the third ball of New Zealand's reply after he shouldered arms to a full-length delivery. But after that England's fortunes nose-dived rapidly with Stephen Fleming, playing the final Test of his career, seizing control and taking particular pleasure in launching into James Anderson, who was hit for 45 runs in his final three overs before lunch.

Fleming hit Anderson for three fours and a six off successive balls and even when he changed ends to replace left-arm seamer Sidebottom, the onslaught continued when he was hit for a further 10 runs. Lancashire seamer Anderson could also claim to have been a little unlucky when Fleming, on 44, was dropped by Andrew Strauss at first slip with the ball flying to the boundary. The former New Zealand captain then completed his half-century with a cover drive for four off the next ball.

But after racing to 59 off 72 balls, which included nine fours and a six, Fleming started the collapse and played a lazy shot off Sidebottom which flew off the edge to second slip just three overs after lunch. That opened the flood-gates for England and their fightback with Sidebottom claiming six of the last eight wickets to fall with his accurate line and length subduing New Zealand as they were all out for 168.

New Zealand hit back straight away by continuing captain Michael Vaughan's struggles when he was caught behind attempting to pull Chris Martin for four off the fifth ball of the innings.

Off-spinner Jeetan Patel had Alastair Cook caught behind just seven overs before the close, but by then England had established an emphatic advantage, with Strauss unbeaten on 42 alongside Kevin Pietersen.