Fleming's team are looking for a morale-boosting performance

Nathan Astle maintained his good form from the Lord's Test as New Zealand took marginal honours on day one of their tour game against Leicestershire.

Astle made 93, while Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum also made half-centuries as the hosts closed on 326-7.

Astle, who scored a total of 113 runs in the first Test, struck 14 boundaries before he was trapped lbw by David Masters on the stroke of tea.

Masters was the hosts' most impressive bowler, returning figures of 3-82.

New Zealand rested opener Mark Richardson, plus all-rounder Jacob Oram and seamer Daryl Tuffey from the Test side.

Michael Papps, Kyle Mills and wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins came into the side with McCullum playing as a batsman only.

New Zealand, who won the toss and elected to bat, lost Papps to the second ball of the morning before Fleming and Astle put on 95 for the second wicket.

Both Papps and his captain were caught by former Essex pro Darren Robinson at slip.

Scott Styris, short of runs in the first Test at Lord's, again struggled to find his feet, and was caught fifth ball for just two shortly after lunch.

Astle's dismissal just prior to the final interval followed two wickets in two balls just after as Masters removed Craig McMillan for 43 and Chris Cairns for a duck.

The hat-trick was averted, though there was enough time in the session for McCullum to fall lbw to Charlie Dagnall.

Hopkins remained unbeaten on 40 in a promising performance, while Daniel Vettori was 21 not out.

Leicestershire: D D J Robinson, J K Maunders, D L Maddy (Capt) D I Stevens, J L Sadler, J N Snape, T J New (Wkt), J M Dakin D D Masters, C E Dagnall, D S Brignull.

New Zealand: M H W Papps, S P Fleming (Capt), N J Astle, S B Styris C D McMillan, C L Cairns, B B McCullum, G J Hopkins (Wkt), K D Mills D L Vettori, C S Martin.