Rutherford Hit Ton Before Rain Halt

Dunedin: Rain interrupted play in the opening Test between New Zealand and England at University Oval on Friday, frustrating the Black Caps' effort to extend a big first innings lead.

New Zealand were 402 for seven when the umpires ordered players from the field, with Brendon McCullum unbeaten on 44 and Bruce Martin 17 not out, a 235-run lead.

The rain late on the third day raises the prospect that New Zealand will be unable to convert their commanding position into a win, as the entire first day was also abandoned due to bad weather.

James Anderson led an England fightback but the Black Caps still opened up a big lead thanks to a splendid 171 on debut from Hamish Rutherford.

The Black Caps were 385 for seven at tea on the third day, with skipper Brendon McCullum unbeaten on 35 and Bruce Martin nine not out, giving them a first innings lead of 218.

Rutherford's knock, the seventh highest debut in Test history, put New Zealand firmly in control of the match, although there was a flurry of wickets after Anderson took the new ball and dismissed him shortly after lunch.

After 340 minutes at the crease, the 23-year-old lasted only one delivery against the new ball, mistiming his response and popping the ball up to Chris Woakes as England found some much-needed aggression after failing with the bat.

Anderson, who dismissed Peter Fulton for 55 in the morning session, almost had incoming batsman Dean Brownlie with a nick to the slips in the same over, only for Joe Root to spill an easy catch.

Jonathan Trott made no mistake when Ross Taylor (31) edged a similar delivery to second slip and the right-arm pacer snared his fourth after Browlie chopped the ball onto his stumps for 27.

BJ Watling departed without bothering the scorers after shouldering arms to a Stuart Broad ball which clipped his pads then clattered into the stumps to leave New Zealand on 326 for six.

Brief scores
England 167 (Trott 45, Wagner 4-42, Martin 4-43)
New Zealand 402 for 7 (Rutherford 171, Fulton 55, Anderson 4-108)
Status New Zealand lead by 235 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 2nd ODI South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn 2nd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 27 runs

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