So near yet so far on day one for

How in New Zealand Jamie How fell agonisingly short of his first century while New Zealand threw away a golden opportunity to seize control of the first test against England after the opening day in Hamiton, New Zealand, yesterday.

How, whose previous highest test score was 37, was dismissed for 92 in the final session at Seddon Park when he was well caught by Paul Collingwood off Monty Panesar before New Zealand ended the day on 282 for six. Ross Taylor will resume today on 54 with captain Daniel Vettori on four.Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum had produced a dashing 51 off 55 balls before he was dismissed in the penultimate over of the day.He and Taylor had combined for an 86-run partnership after New Zealand looked to have squandered their chance to build a big first innings when they lurched to 191 for five.All five of the England bowlers took a wicket with Sidebottom the pick of the attack with two for 39 off 21 overs.”I think everyone realises that (the game) is still in the balance,” How told reporters.”We probably lost a couple more wickets than we would have liked.I think it’s a big part of the game tomorrow.That first hour will be very important in how we bat and how we push on to a bigger score.”Despite How’s composed innings and the partnership between Taylor and McCullum, New Zealand should have capitalised more on the benign pitch in ideal batting conditions after Vettori had won the toss and chosen to bat.”It was a good comeback,” said England coach Peter Moores.”At tea we knew if we could get wickets three and have them six down at the end of play would have been satisfying.”BRILLIANT CATCHES New Zealand’s run accumulation was stymied by brilliant catches from the England fielders just as they were beginning to build partnerships.Alastair Cook produced two spectacular catches at gully, with his one-handed diving effort at full stretch to dismiss Stephen Fleming for 41 off Sidebottom after lunch the highlight of the display.He produced a similar effort to catch the dangerous Jacob Oram for 10 during the final session, while he also took a sharp chance to dismiss Matthew Bell for 19 in the first session.Collingwood also took a superb one-handed catch low down while off balance at first slip off Panesar to dismiss How shortly after tea.The Central Districts batsman had survived two confident leg before wicket appeals off Panesar in the same over.Mathew Sinclair (eight) was the other wicket to fall when he pushed through a Collingwood delivery and spooned a return catch to the bowler.England suffered an injury blow during the first session when Ian Bell was taken to hospital for X-rays on his right hand after he was struck by a full-blooded pull shot from How.The X-rays revealed no fracture in his hand or wrist and he would keep his arm in a sling and continue treatment.”He will be icing it every half an hour and we will see tomorrow if he can bat,” said Moores.”The medical staff are confident with treatment overnight he will be okay.”Moores also said that wicketkeeper Phil Mustard had undergone minor facial surgery after he broke his nose in the nets on Tuesday.Teams: New Zealand – Matthew Bell, Jamie How, Stephen Fleming, Mathew Sinclair, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori (captain), Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.England – Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan (captain), Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar.Nampa-ReutersRoss Taylor will resume today on 54 with captain Daniel Vettori on four.Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum had produced a dashing 51 off 55 balls before he was dismissed in the penultimate over of the day.He and Taylor had combined for an 86-run partnership after New Zealand looked to have squandered their chance to build a big first innings when they lurched to 191 for five.All five of the England bowlers took a wicket with Sidebottom the pick of the attack with two for 39 off 21 overs.”I think everyone realises that (the game) is still in the balance,” How told reporters.”We probably lost a couple more wickets than we would have liked.I think it’s a big part of the game tomorrow.That first hour will be very important in how we bat and how we push on to a bigger score.”Despite How’s composed innings and the partnership between Taylor and McCullum, New Zealand should have capitalised more on the benign pitch in ideal batting conditions after Vettori had won the toss and chosen to bat.”It was a good comeback,” said England coach Peter Moores.”At tea we knew if we could get wickets three and have them six down at the end of play would have been satisfying.”BRILLIANT CATCHES New Zealand’s run accumulation was stymied by brilliant catches from the England fielders just as they were beginning to build partnerships.Alastair Cook produced two spectacular catches at gully, with his one-handed diving effort at full stretch to dismiss Stephen Fleming for 41 off Sidebottom after lunch the highlight of the display.He produced a similar effort to catch the dangerous Jacob Oram for 10 during the final session, while he also took a sharp chance to dismiss Matthew Bell for 19 in the first session.Collingwood also took a superb one-handed catch low down while off balance at first slip off Panesar to dismiss How shortly after tea.The Central Districts batsman had survived two confident leg before wicket appeals off Panesar in the same over.Mathew Sinclair (eight) was the other wicket to fall when he pushed through a Collingwood delivery and spooned a return catch to the bowler.England suffered an injury blow during the first session when Ian Bell was taken to hospital for X-rays on his right hand after he was struck by a full-blooded pull shot from How.The X-rays revealed no fracture in his hand or wrist and he would keep his arm in a sling and continue treatment.”He will be icing it every half an hour and we will see tomorrow if he can bat,” said Moores.”The medical staff are confident with treatment overnight he will be okay.”Moores also said that wicketkeeper Phil Mustard had undergone minor facial surgery after he broke his nose in the nets on Tuesday.Teams: New Zealand – Matthew Bell, Jamie How, Stephen Fleming, Mathew Sinclair, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori (captain), Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.England – Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan (captain), Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar.Nampa-Reuters