England struggle for a foothold

England were left to rue missed chances as New Zealand piled up the runs in the latest Commonwealth Bank Series match at the WACA.

Kiwi third-wicket pair Lou Vincent and Ross Taylor shared an ongoing century stand as they took the score to 166 for two after 30 overs. But both might have departed in consecutive overs as England sought a much-needed breakthrough.

Vincent's attempts to hit a third four in one Andrew Flintoff over saw him offer a head-high chance to Ian Bell at short cover, which was fluffed.

Then, with the score unchanged on 107 for two, wicketkeeper Paul Nixon appealed for a stumping off Monty Panesar - only for Taylor, who had his back foot dangling in the air - to survive as umpire Steve Davis declined calling for television assistance.

The two batsmen struck the ball cleanly and ran keenly between the wickets to keep their side on course for another score in excess of 300.

They were pegged back at the start of the innings by a double strike from Liam Plunkett.

Durham fast bowler Plunkett removed captain Stephen Fleming and Peter Fulton on the same pitch where New Zealand had narrowly lost to Australia two days ago.

Although Plunkett sent down a handful of four balls, he displayed his wicket-taking ability with two deliveries of full-length at pace. Left-hander Fleming was pinned on the pads, falling to the leg-side, in the fifth over.

England were shoddy in the field as Flintoff - leading an unchanged side with captain Michael Vaughan unable to return from a hamstring injury - allowed a shy at the stumps from Bell to go for four overthrows.

Flintoff also made a hash of a Fulton skied mishit to mid-on, which left the England all-rounder groping left-handed as he fell backwards.