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Cricket

Pietersen century masks embarrassing England display

22/03/2008

Kevin Pietersen scored a crucial century in the third Test but a poor performance from his team-mates leaves New Zealand in control in Napier.

England won the toss and elected to bat but could only post 240-7 on day one. The top order showed very little confidence in the wicket and the tourists promptly slumped to 4-3.

Pietersen rallied with the help of Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad and was able to restore some respectability to the scoreline, but it was hard to mask the damage that had been caused in the opening overs.

Debutant Tim Southee was the architect of England's downfall, claiming two of the first three wickets. He trapped captain Michael Vaughan (2) lbw after finding some early swing with the new ball.

The 19-year-old continued to probe a good line and length and was rewarded when the out-of-form Andrew Strauss (0) recklessly clipped the ball straight to Jamie How at gully.

England were reeling when Chris Martin bowled Alastair Cook (2) when the Essex man tried to play an expansive shot and was surprised to see the ball nip back into him.

That left Pietersen with a Herculean task ahead of him. He and Bell began to rebuild the innings but progress was slow. Bell had moved on to nine from 58 balls before he fell to Grant Elliott just before lunch.

After the break Paul Collingwood provided Pietersen with his first meaningful support. The Durham man anchored the afternoon session allowing Pietersen to display some strokeplay.

The Hampshire batsman moved on to his fifty as England finally reached three figures but the visitors lost another pair of wickets quickly when spinner Jeetan Patel claimed the scalps of Collingwood (30) and Tim Ambrose (11).

That brought Broad to the crease and the bowler provided a steadying influence late in the day. Pietersen brought up a deserved century with an edge to the boundary and went on to make 129 before Southee struck again with the new ball.

Broad ended the day unbeaten on 42 with Ryan Sidebottom on three. However New Zealand remain in a commanding position thanks to their consistent bowling display.