Hussain century rescues England

Nasser Hussain hit his 10th Test century today to cap a superb England fightback after an explosive start to the series against New Zealand at Lancaster Park.

The England captain hit a superb 106 as England were dismissed for 228 on the opening day of the first Test having arrived at the crease with his side on nought for two after only five deliveries.

The tourists' innings deteriorated further with Michael Vaughan also falling during an impressive opening spell from Chris Cairns, who exploited seamer friendly conditions on the portable green-looking wicket, to leave them on 46 for three.

But Hussain provided a guiding influence on the innings and prevented their complete collapse to gradually guide England towards a competitive total by forging important partnerships with Graham Thorpe and Mark Ramprakash.

Despite the situation at the start of his innings, Hussain remained positive throughout his stay, although he became anxious as he approached his half-century after staying 19 deliveries on 49.

Hussain also had a reprieve, dropped by rival captain Stephen Fleming at first slip on 52, and made New Zealand pay for their error to reach his century after over five hours at the crease including 14 boundaries.

Put into bat on a green-looking portable wicket which had proved a batsman's dream the previous year against Pakistan, this time it aided seamers with Cairns taking full advantage of the early conditions.

Hussain, though, proved more durable and prevented England suffering a repeat of their Test in Johannesburg three years ago when they slipped to two for four in 17 balls.

At the Wanderers Vaughan was plunged into the thick of the action coming out to bat at number four, and watched helplessly from the other end as wickets fell. He suffered the same fate here after he had been promoted to open with Trescothick.

Vaughan refused to be intimidated by the situation and attempted to be positive, getting off the mark in the next over by clipping Chris Drum down to third man for two before ambitiously hooking for six.

Cairns was also hooked for six three overs later but claimed his revenge when Vaughan pushed forward tentatively and also edged behind to Parore for a spirited 27 from only 31 balls.

Hussain, though, remained determined and positive during a 37-run stand with Graham Thorpe which took England to within four overs of lunch before the Surrey left-hander played loosely outside off stump and edged seamer Chris Drum behind.

Ramprakash followed that lead and helped Hussain add a further 56 before becoming the first victim of a controversial umpiring decision with Sri Lankan official Asoka de Silva, who has just been named on the ICC's elite panel of umpires.

Pushing forward to seamer Nathan Astle, Ramprakash stood his ground when an appeal was made for a catch behind which was upheld by de Silva despite television replays indicating he had been caught off the pad.

Andrew Flintoff continued his disappointing run of recent scores, suffering his third duck in four Test innings when he was trapped leg before to Astle just six overs later.

Both James Foster and Andrew Caddick were unfortunate to be given out to dubious leg before appeals, but not before helping Hussain reach three figures off 233 balls.

His innings lasted just four overs more, though, before also becoming victim to a dubious leg before decision from de Silva to end England's innings with six overs remaining.

Matthew Hoggard gave England the early breakthrough they craved, trapping Mark Richardson leg before in the fourth over, but nightwatchman Daniel Vettori guided his side to nine for one at the close.