Anderson strikes put England on top

London, May 15: James Anderson’s three wickets left New Zealand on the defensive at tea on the first day of the first Test against England at Lord’s here on Thursday.

New Zealand, after rain had washed out the morning session, were 109/5 with Anderson taking 3/27 in 10 overs.

Fellow seamer Stuart Broad followed up with 2/34 in nine after England captain Michael Vaughan had won the toss and decided to field first in overcast conditions favouring seam bowlers.

Anderson, who saw off a threat to his place from Matthew Hoggard in a team unchanged from the one that completed a 2-1 Test series win in New Zealand in March, removed debutant Aaron Redmond for a duck and fellow opener Jamie How for seven.

He then ended a fifth-wicket stand of 28 when he bowled Daniel Flynn, the other debutant in the New Zealand side, round the left-hander’s legs for nine shortly before tea.

Wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum was 36 not out at the interval with all-rounder Jacob Oram unbeaten on nought.

Finding a reliable first-wicket partnership has proved a major problem for New Zealand during recent seasons.

Hopes were high that the 28-year-old Redmond might fill the void after scores of 146 and 64 against England A last week. (AFP)