You are in > manchester.com  > News > Vaughan rues batting collapse as England slump to defeat

Cricket

Vaughan rues batting collapse as England slump to defeat

09/03/2008

England's batting order managed a meagre 110 as they fell to a humiliating Test defeat against New Zealand.

Chasing a target of 300 on the final day at Seddon Park to win, the tourists were rocked by four early wickets from Kiwi bowler Kyle Mills.

After Ryan Sidebottom anchored an England fightback by bowling a spectacular hat-trick of wickets on day four, the visitors had mooted the possibility of victory after New Zealand declared on 177-9.

But a draw was clearly expected to be achieved by England on the final day and captain Michael Vaughan rued his side's collapse in Hamilton.

"It's never nice to lose a game but to lose in that manner, and play the way we did - certainly on this last day - we really have to ask ourselves questions," Vaughan told Sky Sports.

"To get bowled out for 110 on that kind of pitch... We had every intention of batting well, getting wickets in hand, but when you lose four wickets with the batting order we have, we shouldn't be getting out like that, not on that kind of wicket," he added.

Mills' four wickets in six overs meant England reached 36-4 at lunch.

Ian Bell scored a half-century but was powerless to prevent the wickets falling around him.

An unchanged squad has already been announced by New Zealand ahead of the second Test in Wellington starting on Thursday.