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Cricket

Skipper Vaughan hits back at critics with century

18/05/2008

Michael Vaughan struck 106 on day four as the first Test between England and New Zealand looks to be heading for a draw at Lords.

The England skipper reached his first ton in 15 Test innings as the home side were bowled out for 319 in reply to the tourists' 277.

New Zealand reached 40-0 at stumps and have a day left to salvage a draw.

Resuming on 89-0, the openers added another 32 runs when Alastair Cook (61) edged a swinging delivery from Chris Martin with Brendon McCullum taking a diving catch.

Andrew Strauss moved on to 63 and looked on course for another ton against the tourists until he was trapped lbw off Jacob Oram.

England were then reduced to 152-3 when the off-form Kevin Pietersen misjudged a delivery from Daniel Vettori and was given out lbw for three by umpire Steve Bucknor.

Peter Moores' side reached 160-3 at lunch and needed to accelerate in the afternoon session to salvage victory.

They added another 20 runs before Ian Bell (16) presented McCullum with a simple catch after nicking a delivery from Martin.

At the other end, Michael Vaughan played a patient innings, reaching 38 off 109 balls.

The skipper and Paul Collingwood guided England past 200 until the latter edged a delivery from Vettori to Ross Taylor at slip to depart for six.

Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, on his home debut, was dismissed for a golden duck with the next ball after padding a floating delivery from Vettori to leave England reeling on 208-6.

Stuart Broad prevented Vettori getting his hat-trick, while Vaughan then reached his 19th Test fifty which included six boundaries.

The pair stopped the flow of wickets to put England on 239-6 at tea, 38 runs short of the Black Caps' first innings score.

Broad made 25 before being bowled by Jacob Oram, Ryan Sidebottom (16) was the next to depart for 16.

Vaughan then reached his first century to help England past the 300-mark.
The skipper was the last wicket to fall, becoming Vettori's fifth victim, to give England a 42-run lead.

Kiwi openers Jamie How and Aaron Redmond survived a 15-over spell in the evening.