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New Zealand reaches 351 for six against the English

New Zealand's Brendan Mccullm drives the ball against bowler Stephen Harmison of England in Leeds, Saturday. PHOTO: AFP

Stephen Fleming struck 97 and compiled a second wicket partnership of 169 with Michael Papps on Friday as New Zealand reached 351 for six against England in the second test at Headingley.

Behind 1-0 in the series, Fleming's team now has a chance of forcing a victory to tie the series and produce a repeat of New Zealand's last tour in 1999 when the Kiwis also came from behind to win 2-1.

Fleming and Papps took the score to 202 for one just before tea before the Kiwis suffered a middle order collapse.

Andrew Flintoff trapped Papps for 86, Fleming was caught by England captain Michael Vaughan off Steve Harmison three short of his century. Then Nathan Astle was caught by a diving Mark Butcher off Martin Saggers for two as the Kiwis slipped to 215 for four.

Although England also dismissed Scott Styris for 21 and Jacob Oram for 39, an unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 58 by Chris Cairns (41 not out) and Brendon McCullum (31) gave the Black Caps the chance to build a big total going into the third day.

The two teams made a prompt start after Thursday's play was restricted to just 19 overs by rain and bad light. England's only success on day one was the removal of lefthanded opener Mark Richardson for 13 with the score on 33.

Papps, brought into the lineup in place of the injured Craig McMillan, resumed on 24 and team captain Fleming, who dropped to No. 3, was on three.

Under a cloudy sky, Fleming survived a shout for lbw before turning a ball from Matthew Hoggard off his hip for the first boundary of the day.

Papps thick-edged another delivery from Hoggard to the boundary and the Yorkshire bowler was furious to see wicket-keeper Geraint Jones failed to gather and let four byes slip through.

England should have captured a second wicket at 86-1 when Ashley Giles dropped a difficult catch at gully off Papps who edged a ball from Flintoff. Giles, England's only specialist spinner in the lineup, was forced off the field with a damaged finger.

Then Papps went for a run after pushing the ball through gully. Substitute fielder Paul Collingwood ran in to gather but missed the stumps with Fleming two yards short of the crease.

Failing to take those chances, England then suffered in the field and Fleming quickly caught up with Papps in the race for a half-century.

WEST INDIES VERSUS BANGLADESH

West Indies captain Brian Lara, with his job on the line, was left frustrated here Friday as the Bangladesh lower order rallied to dull the home team's attack on the opening day of the second and final cricket Test at Sabina Park.

Lara, who has said he would resign the captaincy should his young side fail to beat the tourists in this match, watched on as the tourists recovered from 152 for seven to 264 for nine at close.

While the opposition provided headaches for the 35-year-old skipper, the pitch would have been as much concern.

It was significantly faster and bouncier than the dead surface that produced a draw in the opening match in St. Lucia's series opener. But it was still perfect for batting and the Bangladeshis, who won the toss and batted, would have been disappointed not to have made more significant strides in their first innings.

Many of the batsmen wasted good starts and off-spinner Omari Banks was rewarded with career-best figures of four for 80 off 29 overs.

Fast bowlers Pedro Collins (two for 54), Fidel Edwards (two for 66) and Tino Best (one for 50) completed the wicket-taking.

But even after Bangladeshis early wastefulness, first Test century-makers Khaled Mashud (39) and Mohammad Rafique (30) again led a spirited fight-back. Tapash Baisya hit an unbeaten 34 to complete West Indian misery.

In the drawn series opener in St. Lucia, Bangladesh also got their best efforts from their lower order.
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