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Bold declaration pays off as Kiwis trounce England

New Zealand thrashed England by 189 runs in the first Test yesterday when England's second innings disintegrated after Kyle Mills ripped through the top order.

Set a tempting target of 300 to win in 81 overs, England were all out for a paltry 110.

Ian Bell top scored with an unbeaten 54, one of only two batsmen to reach double figures.

Mills finished with figures of four for 16 off 13 overs while Chris Martin took three for 33 as New Zealand pulled off just their eighth victory over England in 88 Tests.

It was a performance engineered by New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori who lured England into chasing a result with a timely second innings declaration, which he said was made against the wishes of coach John Bracewell.

New Zealand added 30 runs to their overnight 147 before Vettori threw down the gauntlet at 177 for nine.

It was a challenge readily accepted as Alastair Cook reeled off three quick boundaries and England raced to 18 off the first three overs.

But four wickets in four overs from Mills put New Zealand in command.

Cook was first to fall chasing a wide one and edging the ball to Brendon McCullum for 13.

Two overs later Vaughan followed for nine, trapped in front and Andrew Strauss scored two before he was caught by McCullum.

Kevin Pietersen failed to offer a shot to a Mills delivery nipping back and the umpire had no option but to give him out for six.

The capitulation ended England's hope of pulling off a win, leaving Bell and Paul Collingwood to set up a dogged defense in an attempt to make the innings last through the final two sessions.

Collingwood survived 50 balls before he was bowled by Vettori and then Martin dismissed Tim Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom and Mathew Hoggard to have England at 67 for eight.

Steve Harmison added one to the total before falling to Patel and the innings ended with Monty Panesar caught behind for eight off Jacob Oram.
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