Hussain reaped the award for grit and determination

Out strode Nasser Hussain with the appearance of a sapper on a mine sweeping operation.

The England captain has found himself on the rough end of things more than most over the past four or five years, and he needed every ounce of fortune that was going just to survive the first hour.

He watched as Michael Vaughan pulled two sixes before giving Cairns his third wicket, via another catch by Adam Parore for 27, and then Graham Thorpe unwisely chased a wide delivery and edged Drum to Fleming at first slip for 17.

England were 89 for 4 at lunch and New Zealand's decision to ask them to bat was already vindicated.

Umpiring error

His technique might not be quite what it was - he rarely gets his front foot beyond the crease these days - but Hussain has never lost his stomach for a fight.

Mark Ramprakash patiently added 56 in twenty overs during which time Hussain was dropped at slip by Fleming, but Ramprakash's resistance was cut short by umpire Asoka de Silva, who was only recently named as one member of the elite panel of eight international umpires who will officiate in all future Tests.

Given his new status, de Silva really should have noticed that the ball flicked Ramprakash's pad rather than the bat, but there is also a danger that we will all expect these senior umpires to be infallible.

This is entirely unreasonable and, whether elite or not, umpires will continue to make the same mistakes they always have. Ramprakash departed for 31, muttering but without a trace of dissent.

Hoggard struck an early blow when New Zealand batted

The stage was set for a belligerent innings from Andrew Flintoff who could have changed the course of the day by taking the attack to New Zealand's inexperienced support bowlers.

Instead, having uncertainly prodded back 13 deliveries, he missed the 14th for a laboured duck and England were back in trouble at 151 for 6.

James Foster has not enjoyed the happiest of winters with the bat, but he stayed with his captain for an hour and a quarter while 45 precious runs were added.

He became the first of a couple of questionable lbw decisions when, on 19, he played back to Drum and when Andy Caddick strode to the crease with England on 214 for 8, Hussain still needed six for his century.

Happily, Caddick stayed long enough for Hussain to complete his well deserved ton: his 10th and, given the conditions, probably his most satisfying.

And when Matthew Hoggard nipped out Richardson before the close, an entertaining day ended on level terms.

Test Match Special has live coverage of the first Test between New Zealand and England from 21.30 GMT Tuesday on Radio 4, 198 LW. �