Sweet Ambrose saves England

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The 25-year-old Warwickshire wicketkeeper, playing only his second Test, spearheaded England's counter-attack on the opening day at the Basin Reserve with an unbeaten 97 just as the hosts seemed set to take control.

Ambrose hit 15 fours and two sixes in his 160-minute innings and dominated a 155-run partnership with Paul Collingwood which turned the day around after England's misfiring top order once again suffered an afternoon slump.

Desperate to atone for their display in the 189-run opening Test defeat at Hamilton, it took Ambrose's hard-hitting innings to prevent another dismal day at the Basin Reserve as England closed on 291 for five.

Put into bat in conditions favourable to seam bowling, the tourists appeared to have learned their lessons from Hamilton, with captain Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook forging a determined 79-run opening stand, but England slumped once again and lost five wickets in 23 overs after lunch.

It plunged them into trouble at 136 for five, but Ambrose showed composure beyond his experience to battle them out of trouble alongside Collingwood.

Under pressure Andrew Strauss, under increasing pressure to score runs having earned his recall after missing Sri Lanka before Christmas, scored only eight before being deceived by a Kyle Mills' slower ball which he steered to point.