Blundell, Jamieson give England bowlers a rough time

New Zealand XI 376/9 (T Blundell 131, D Bracewell 34, K Jamieson 101, S Kuggeleijn 45; J Anderson 4/56, M Wood 2/80) v England.

James Anderson enjoyed a fruitful first day at work in New Zealand with four wickets, but centuries by Tom Blundell and Kyle Jamieson put New Zealand XI in front on the first day of their two-day warm-up game – a day-night affair – against the Englishmen at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Blundell retired out for 131 and Jamieson did the same when on 101 as the home side reached 376/9 at the end of the 90 overs after being 30/5 at one stage.

England got first use of the pink ball by mutual agreement and made full use of the conditions on offer by removing the top four with just 15 runs on the board inside 11 overs.

Anderson struck first, removing Tom Latham and Martin Guptill, while Stuart Broad had Jeet Raval caught behind. Mark Wood got into the act soon after to get rid of Colin de Grandhomme.

Doug Bracewell hung around to score 34, forging a 73-run stand for the sixth wicket with Blundell along the way, before becoming Wood's second victim. But that’s when the home side hit back.

With the ball getting old, Blundell and Jamieson, the seventh-wicket pair, hit their straps early.

Blundell, who scored a century on Test debut against Windies, is out of the reckoning for the Test side for the moment with BJ Watling recovering from injury, but gave the selectors a timely reminder of his abilities as he hit 21 fours in his 194-ball knock. Jamieson, known more for his bowling, was equally effective as he hit 16 fours and two sixes in his 111-ball 101.

Scott Kuggeleijn also enjoyed his time in the middle late in the day, hitting four fours and four sixes before falling to Anderson for 45 in just 37 deliveries.

Anderson finished with figures of 4/56 in 16 overs while Wood chipped in with two wickets.