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Cricket

Sidebottom hoping batsmen can bring England back into game

06/03/2008

Ryan Sidebottom admitted England's bowlers failed to perform to their potential as New Zealand reached 470 all out in the first Test in Hamilton.

The Black Caps started day two on 282-6 and England had hopes of dismissing the home side quickly.

But with the experienced bowling attack of Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison performing well below par, England struggled to claim early wickets.

Sidebottom was the best England bowler, finishing with figures of 4-90, but New Zealand built a daunting first-innings total through Ross Taylor (120) and Daniel Vettori (88).

"It was a very difficult day. We sat down last night and thought we had a really good day," said Sidebottom.

"But Ross Taylor played well and Vettori when he came in so we are disappointed but tomorrow's another day.

"It's a good wicket to bat on, there's not much movement there so hopefully we can put on a big total.

"I think you've just got to keep plugging away, try and make them do the work and play the shots - boring cricket really."

England got off to a good start when they began batting with openers Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook putting on a half-century stand, but the two late wickets of Cook (38) and nightwatchmen Matthew Hoggard (two) saw England finish the day on 87-2.