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Cricket

Moores claims momentum for England after day one success

05/03/2008

England have the momentum going into the second day of the first Test against New Zealand, according to head coach Peter Moores.

The late dismissal of in-form Brendon McCullum (51) reduced the hosts to 277-6, before the batting side managed to add only five more runs to their total by the close of play.

And on a pitch that seemed to offer very little to the fielding team, Moores believes the score is testament to the efforts of his players in restricting the Black Caps' ability to get runs and taking wickets at regular intervals.

"We knew if we could get three [wickets] in the last session and have them six down at the end of play we'd have been satisfied," Moores explained.

"We were pleased that we took the chances that came along because there weren't many chances there and Alastair Cook had a very good day with three catches."

The coach also stressed the importance of the final wicket of McCullum, who had reached his quick-fire half-century off as many balls.

"We needed that last wicket because the way McCullum was playing he looked like he was just going more or less into full one-day mode, which would have been very dangerous," Moores continued.

"It was important to get him out and to have the new ball in the morning gives us one end to bowl at and a chance to get some early wickets."

England are looking to bounce back in the Test series following their 3-1 defeat to New Zealand in the one-day series that came to a conclusion last month.