England ground their way to 286-6 on day three of the first Test, still trailing New Zealand by 184 runs.

Michael Vaughan fell for 63 when set for a major contribution, before Andrew Strauss and a patient Kevin Pietersen were both dismissed in the 40s.

England scored just 199 runs in the 93 overs bowled in the day, giving their travelling supporters little to cheer.

The Hamilton wicket remained flat, slow and low, and England's hopes of victory appeared to have evaporated.

By Paresh Soni

Get involved. E-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Paresh Soni' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606 between 0900-2300 GMT. (Not all contributions can be used).

STUMPS: ENGLAND 286-6

0429: Ambrose slices away backward of point for three off Oram. Collingwood is solid in defence and that is the end of a fascinating day, one for the purists - a genuine battle of wills in which New Zealand came out on top you'd have to say. England will hope the lower order eke out a few more runs. Join me tomorrow to see what they do. Tata for now. It's been a pleasure.

"So wonderful to see all the England batsmen scoring roughly their test average. Rather a pity though that it has taken them quite so long, and that their average is just, well, decidedly average"
Simon Topliss, Melbourne, in the TMS inbox

"New Zealand won the day hands down. Their field placings and bowling were spot on. England's batting wasn't quite there."
Geoff Boycott on TMS

0426: Oram's not a happy bunny, trundling in and barely getting above 70mph. He looks ready for a shower to me. More chuntering between Boycs and Aggers about Vivaldi. Aggers is happy not to have indy bands blaring out and Boycott is not too bothered about "this Vivaldi man". It's been a remarkable day.

0425: 282-6 Martin is struggling with his line but Ambrose refuses to take any chances with several widish deliveries.

0419: 282-6 Oram pounds in sweating profusely to delivery a tidy enough maiden. I think everyone's ready for stumps, which will come in 11 minutes.

0415: 282-6 A wildly optimistic lbw appeal from Martin against Ambrose is correctly turned down by Steve Davis. We've had some close shouts rejected in this game and that was not one of them.

"I've got to be in university soon but I've got a sneaky feeling that Colly will be the hero and make a ton. Really want to see how he does but should probably go to bed, what do you think?
James Hallworth, Leeds, in the TMS inbox

Er, James only about 15 minutes to go and Colly's not going to make a ton in that time.

0411: 282-6 Tremendous inswinging yorker from Oram has Collingwood hopping and doing well to dig the ball out.

0404: 282-6 Good timing from Ambrose who puts away a leg-stump half-volley from Mills. Almost a repeat next ball but he doesn't get enough on it to get more than two. The third ball is dispatched through extra-cover for two more and Vettori, who is back on, is not happy with his bowler.

0359: 274-6 Vettori goes off with those elbows troubling him. Keeper McCullum takes charge of marshalling the Black Caps in his absence and Oram comes on to bowl.

"I love the bish, bash, bosh of the new era but this is for the purists and the committed. We should embrace both. To everyone who is still listening, watching or surfing: I salute you!"
Jonathon Palmer, north London, in the TMS inbox

0357: 274-6 Colly nudges a single off Mills, who is frustrated when he finds some bounce and Ambrose plays the ball down, close to his stumps.

0354: 273-6 Ambrose picks up two through the off-side off Vettori and the pressure has eased off - for now.

0352: 271-6 Colly crunches the ball through the covers to pick up four runs off Mills which mean England avoid the follow-on. Never in doubt, right?

0349: 267-6 Mills replaces Patel and launches a very optimistic shout for lbw - the ball was too high and missing leg. The next delivery is turned to long-leg for a single.

0348: 266-6 Normal service resumed as Vettori records another maiden.

"My missus was complaining that Ashes to Ashes wasn't shown on BBC 1 Scotland tonight (we got Rangers' triumph against Werder Bremen instead). Yet as I sit here watching dour, attritional Test cricket I am starting to wonder if I've somehow warped back a quarter of a century, DI Alex Drake style. That got me thinking - what would we give for a Gene Hunt-style England batsman? I can just imagine him knocking the ball out of the ground and then announcing, apropos of nothing, 'Do you know, I once hit a bloke for speaking French!'."
David Ferguson, Edinburgh, in the TMS inbox

0343: 266-6 Ambrose cuts Patel for four and has another boundary next ball, though not so convincing this time, by edging past Fleming's left hand at slip.

0340: 258-6 Colly ends that monotonous passage of play by driving Vettori through extra-cover and Ambrose turns his 18th ball behind square to resounding applause - well as resounding as it can be on a lazy afternoon in sleepy Hamilton with some inebriated Englishmen chanting away. Colly gives them more to cheer about by taking a big stride down the track and lifting the ball over mid-wicket. Eight off the over - a deluge!

0338: No runs for 25 balls now and Ambrose has faced 17 of them. Vettori is really tightening his grip on proceedings.

0336: 250-6 I could do this from a horizontal position if Vettori and Patel keep churning out maiden after maiden.

0333: After the Vivaldi earlier, we now have a jazz piano piece playing. What a cultured lot these Kiwis are! Very relaxing and I can almost feel my head hitting my pillow.

"The Kiwis can be pleased with themselves. The spinners have bowled well and really made England toil. If they can get one more wicket, the tail isn't the strongest and the game could really move on."
Vic Marks on TMS

0330: 250-6 The spin stranglehold has returned. Patel gives Ambrose nothing to feast on apart from the last ball, which he cuts, but straight to a fielder. No run yet from the keeper's first 11 balls faced. Drinks are taken.

"Can we take a moment out of this exciting cricket to salute toast. 'You are cheap and can feel a meal or a snack at any time of the day'."
Ryan Chapman, Sheffield, in the TMS inbox

Random thought, but well said Ryan. I'll be gorging on some myself in about three hours or so.

0324: 250-6 There's a delay while Vettori has treatment on both elbows, after grazing them taking that superb catch to remove Pietersen. The captain sends down yet another maiden.

0323: Ambrose, just to remind you, is no mug with the bat: he averages 34.64 in first-class cricket and hit 251 not out last May in a county game for Warwickshire against Worcestershire.

0320: 250-6 Collingwood late cuts Patel past Fleming to the third man fence. Five boundaries for Colly now off the off-spinner since tea. A single out on the off-side brings up 250 for the tourists, still 21 short of avoiding the follow-on.

0318: 245-6 In walks debutant Ambrose and sees out the last four balls but New Zealand are very much in control of this game.

0316: WICKET - Pietersen c&b Vettori 42 (Eng 245-6)
Oh dear, Pietersen's unusually subdued knock ends in rather tame fashion. He takes a big step down the wicket to Vettori but succeeds only in dabbing the ball back to the Kiwi skipper, who is understandably delirious after brilliantly snapping up the chance. What a massive blow to England.

"It's been an old-fashioned day really. We've seen a low run-rate, lots of spin, and lots of sunshine!"
Vic Marks on TMS

0311: 245-5 Collingwood's clearly had enough of this dabbing around and he comes down the track to belt Patel over mid-wicket for four. Steady on though Colly! Two dangerous dabs behind the wicket go perilously close to Fleming at slip.

0310: 241-5 Vettori brings himself on and gives it plenty of air but no interest from Pietersen in doing anything extravagant.

"I've got the choice of watching my beloved (and struggling) Fulham play Blackburn on Saturday, staying up and watching this err, excellent cricket, or going shopping with the Mrs (I must be desperate). Please help me!"
Anonymous via text

0305: 241-5 Colly cracks Patel through the covers for his second boundary. And this time it's genuine applause with no hint of irony. More warm clapping as he ends the over with a square-cut.

0303: 233-5 Collingwood jabs through extra-cover for three off Oram, whose been getting some gentle movement through the air and got the ball to seam occasionally.

0258: 230-5 Collingwood tucks a delivery from Patel out on to the on-side for a run. Pietersen piicks up two, with one bonus run, after a mis-field at mid-off by Martin and wristily turns the off-spinner for another using his bottom hand. Patel is beside himself after sharp turn from the foothole flummoxes Collingwood and McCullum - who misses a tough stumping chance.

0256: 225-5 Oram is doing a good job for his skipper here, bowling fairly straight and getting some nip back into the two right-handers. That's his fifth maiden and his figures read 11-5-11-0

0251: 225-5 Singles for Pietersen and Collingwood off Patel. Cagey stuff.

"New Zealand seem to have extracted more movement off the pitch than England did, certainly with the spinners. Both teams realise Pietersen's is the crucial wicket and it makes for fascinating viewing."
Former England batsman and current ICC match referee Chris Broad

0248: 223-5 Solid stuff from Oram, who keeps it tight in a maiden.

0243: 223-5 Patel goes round the wicket and switches back to over. Good footwork from Collingwood to caress the ball to the right of mid-off for four.

"Looks like rain here in Sydney. Any chance of a fortuitous downpour in the next few days to save England's blushes?"
Richard in the TMS inbox

Afraid not Richard if you go by what Aggers has just said - the clouds have disappeared!

0239: 218-5 Pietersen jabs an Oram delivery out to mid-on for a single.

"There was some ironic cheering for Collingwood there and I don't know why. England have to play some sensible cricket here and can't just go smashing it around. This is the most disciplined innings I've seen Pietersen play."
Geoff Boycott on TMS

0234: 217-5 Off-spinner Patel back on. Collingwood nudges his second ball straight to silly mid-off and it comes off the fielder's shin. Colly's off the mark off the 25th ball by strijubg out on the off-side for two.

0232: It's also worth mentioning that New Zealand have got through their overs quickly. So much so that we should finish on time (which is rare) and have more than the regulation 90 overs in the day (which just doesn't happen). Add to that some quality bowling and you have to say it's been a very good day of Test cricket.

0227: Pietersen managed only 26 runs in the previous two hours, while Colly has yet to score off 20 balls. We've been chatting here whether New Zealand would enforce the follow-on. I don't think so - they'll want to bat England out of this game and get their spinners to land the ball in the rough as they have today. Either way, very few England players have come out of this game with any credit so far.

TEA: ENGLAND 215-5

0209: The canny Vettori brings himself on for the last over before tea. He pushes through a quicker one which Pietersen cuts over Fleming's head at slip for four fortuitous runs. New Zealand very much on top as the players go off for tea. Only 56 runs in 31 overs in that session for the loss of two wickets.

0206: 211-5 Pietersen tries to thrash a short one from Martin through mid-wicket but is kept down to two after failing to get enough on it. He does two balls later and finally has his first four off the 94th ball he has faced. This has to go down as one of his most subdued knocks ever.

0203: 204-5 Huge, probably ironic, applause for Pietersen getting a single off Oram down to backward square-leg to break the stalemate.

0201: 203-5 Martin replaces Mills and sends down a fourth straight maiden.

0156: 203-5 Oram gives KP nothing to feast on with good accurate seam bowling. KP has a chat in the middle with Colly and looks a bit non-plussed by what's going on. Something will have to give soon. Won't it?

"My 14-year-old son can sympathise with 'Anonymous'. We moved to New Zealand last August and I'm taking him to his first Test Match on Saturday - he can't decide whether to wear Black Caps colours or England colours!"
Marie Harmon in the TMS inbox

You're pretty much alone Marie in this thinking. Our Anonymous friend has taken a proverbial kicking in cyberspace!

0152: 203-5 Lots of chat from you about England's scoring rate - which is barely above two, like it has been pretty much throughout. Yet another maiden, this time from Mills.

"New Zealand deserve to be in charge. They've played much better cricket on the first three days."
Former England paceman Gus Fraser on TMS

0148: 203-5 Big Oram bounds in for a maiden. Bell's hand looks pretty swollen still from the TV pictures.

0141: WICKET - Bell b Mills 25 (Eng 203-5)
Oops! Spoke too soon. Mills gets one to nip back in off a good length and knocks the off-bail off via the thigh-pad. In comes Collingwood with the follow-on 68 runs away. Testing times for the toughest of cookies.

0140: Pietersen's feeling secure now and dabs out on the off-side before calling Bell through for a sharp run. It's positively glorious now in Hamilton and perfect for batting.

0136: 202-4 Oram comes on for his first over of the day. Pietersen launches a big drive at a full-pitched one and misses completely by playing outside the line. KP's only contributed 13 to this partnership of 43, Bell 25. Would you credit it...

"Aargh! Who to cheer for...so confused! I've just got a job offer from a school in New Zealand but have the ECB badge tattoed on my left shoulder. ..unfortunately i think the current batting may swing me towards changing my allegiance to the Black Caps! Better keep my right shoulder free..."
Anonymous via text

0133: The new ball is replaced after several discussions about its condition. Pietersen darts off during the delay.

"Hope you're not falling asleep at the keyboard. We certainly are still out here in cyberspace - hanging on your every typo.... I'm facing a tough call - stay at work and keep checking LiveText while pretending to be productive or be the responsible family man and head home for tea with the kids and forget about the cricket...Not sure which is more stressful.
Justin, in sunny northern California, in the TMS inboxI'm not going to risk the wrath of your family Justin. I'll let you make the correct decision.

0129: 202-4 Pietersen's dealing only with singles - no boundary apart from that six off his third ball. Bell is starting to grow in confidence now, flicking Mills through mid-on for four. If keyboards can whisper, let me say England are looking in better shape - 200 up for them.

0125: 196-4 A shot of real authority from Bell, who pulls a short ball from Martin for four welcome runs.

0121: 192-4 The sun's back out as good running allows Pietersen to pick up one off Mills after dabbing out on the on-side. Bell flicks to square-leg and the fifth-wicket pair look much more comfortable against pace.

0117: 190-4 Bell and Pietersen push singles off Martin and it's definitely much murkier now than on the first two days. No swing movement so far though.

"As a relative newcomer to cricket (pre-Ashes 2005) is it just me, or is this 'attritional' cricket way harder to watch at this time of night than on a sunny British afternoon? I don't even have to work tomorrow, but even a glass or three of Burgundy is no substitute for a beer in August. Is it simply the cricket is just really dull at the moment? Can you give me any reasons... sorry, tips... why I might continue with my education in the subtleties of the Test game, and am I the only person attempting to bother... seems quiet onliners' way?"
Victoria, Ealing, UK

It's not dull at all Victoria. We've just had a masterclass in spin bowling from Vettori and Patel and Pietersen is surely going to explode at some point. There are plenty of you out there in cyberspace and I'm grateful for the company. Stick with it I say.

0110: Sure enough Mills is handed the new cherry and Pietersen is beaten by one that leaves him outside off-stump. Drinks are taken.

0108: By the way TMS has its own fan club on Facebook if you want to get involved in the chat over there.

0105: 188-4 Vettori goes over the wicket in a bid to earn some much-deserved reward from a terrific spell. Pietersen gets a couple of strides down and pushes through mid-on for a single. It has clouded over and the seamers could be on soon.

"You have to work through sticky situations and understand the game ebbs and flows at Test match level. When the bowler's on top you have to give them their due - it will change."
Geoff Boycott on TMS

0103: 186-4 Pietersen whips the ball through on-side and Bell finishes the over from Patel with a flourish with a square-cut for four.

"I'm sitting here in the Hamilton Police Station, begging for England to start hitting the ball. So much stick from all these Kiwis around me. I managed to get to the ground to watch the teams warm up. England looked very relaxed and impressive, but where has their match form gone?"
Dan Ralph in the TMS inbox

0059: 181-4 Two singles to Pietersen and one to Bell off Vettori, who continues to ask searching questions. I can't imagine many people had envisioned this before the series.

0057: 178-4 Pietersen guides Patel down to third man for a single. Good flight and drift from the off-spinner.

0054: 177-4 Pietersen sweeps a single off Vettori and there's a no-ball after that but Vettori's economy rate is a staggering 1.46 - 1-41 off 28 overs.

0049: 175-4 KP flips Patel less convincingly to backward square-leg, while Bell finally plays a shot of authority, driving between cover and mid-off for his first boundary off his 41st ball - also the first four since lunch. England's run-rate is barely above two an over.

0045: 170-4 Pietersen does use his feet this time, driving Vettori confidently to long-on. I've not had to say that often in the last 30 minutes or so.

"Modern players don't use their feet anymore. You should be trying to hit with the spin past mid-on, past the bowler."
Geoff Boycott is not impressed on TMS

0042: 169-4 Patel gets one to turn square into Bell after landing on the footmarks created by Sidebottom. He's then beaten by one tossed up and drives airily just in front of mid-off. Terrible shot which could have been his last. The next one spins so sharply it flummoxes everyone and goes for two byes.

0040: 167-4 Some respite for Bell after a strangled shout for lbw from Vettori. He pushes to mid-off for one. This is proper Test cricket, a real examination of Bell and Pietersen's technique.

0037: 166-4 Bell, who doesn't appear in discomfort after his wrist blow on day one, calls Pietersen through for a quick run after pushing Patel to mid-on. That wasn't very smoothly done either. The new ball is available but Vettori's unlikely to take it soon.

0035: 165-4 Vettori maintains the pressure, tossing the ball up to KP, who can't get the ball off the square and is starting to look jumpy. Gus Fraser on TMS reckons a run-out is imminent the way these two are calling at the moment.

"Thumping headache after a clash of heads at football training last night. Wake up to see Everton have been turned over and now this. It's karma - knew I shouldn't have dished the stick out over India's win earlier this week."
Neil, Geraldton, Western Australia, in the TMS inbox

0032: 165-4 Bell has a scare this time, edging Patel to first slip but the ball just fails to carry to Fleming. Suddenly Patel and Vettori look unplayable.

"Got a root canal filling in 9 hours time, almost as painful as watching England facing the spin of Warne...sorry Patel!"
Dave Smith in the TMS inbox

0026: 165-4 Tremendous battle of wits out there at the moment as Vettori tests Pietersen with his flight and line. KP sweeps for one and there's a huge lbw shout at the end of the over against England's best batsman which Daryl Harper rejects.

0022: 162-4 Hearts in mouths stuff as Pietersen nudges a ball from Patel to mid-on and Bell has to hurry to make it before Vettori's throw to the keeper. A run-out now would really leave England in bother.

0021: 160-4 Tidy stuff from Vettori keeps Pietersen quiet.

"It's interesting because we've got two batsmen out there who like to dominate the bowling. New Zealand are trying to create pressure through that strangulation effect."
Gus Fraser on TMS

0017: 160-4 Not clever stuff from Bell early on, playing for spin that isn't there and he's beaten all ends up by Patel. Worrying times for England.

0011: WICKET - Strauss b Vettori 43 (Eng 159-4)
Vettori's third ball after the resumption is an absolute jaffa, tossed up and spinning into the left-hander off the rough and Strauss is bowled comprehensively attempting a drive across the line. Bell off the mark right away with a push into the leg-side but England under pressure now.

0003: I've had a cuppa or two and feel tip-top for the next session.

"If Chris in Taunton is off to bed he's lucky! I'm off for a colonoscopy in 2 hours and if any TMS fans have had similar experiences, then they'll understand why I've been stood in the shower for the last hour!"
Phil in Townsville, Queensland, in the TMS inbox

"I sure hope it gets better than this after lunch, I'm falling asleep and it's the middle of the afternoon here! Oh and Paresh please don't say anything else about someone getting a ton ok? You surely laid it on Vaughan, let's just leave it at that."
Thomas, California, in the TMS inbox

"Yawn. If this is England's best against not the best team in the world then we're doomed! This innings will take until the end of day 4 to catch NZ. I'm off to bed.
Chris in Taunton in the TMS inbox

"Both sides will be content in a funny way. England lost just the one wicket so in that sense it's been quite a good session but in the Kiwi session they'll be saying they bowled pretty damn well there and couldn't have done much more than that. England haven't been able to dominate the spinners."
Vic Marks on TMS

LUNCH: ENGLAND 159-3

2329: Pietersen nervously edges down a ball that comes back to him from Patel. Encouragement for both Kiwi spinners as the players go off for lunch.

2327: 159-3 Good flight and drift from Vettori too to keep Strauss thinking in defence. Another maiden.

2325: 159-3 Patel has Pietersen in some trouble by varying the angle of his delivery. Good stuff in a maiden over. Apparently, accoring to Danny Morris who's emailed me, James Anderson's taken a wicket for Auckland.

2320: 159-3 Pietersen's been very watchful apart from that lofted drive off Patel earlier. He takes a single off Vettori to mid-wicket. This is the flattest wicket I've seen in a long while - most of the dismissals have been down to mistakes rather than magic deliveries.

2318: 158-3 Strauss tickles Patel down to fine-leg for four. Starting to look good now Lord Brocket.

2317: The TV cameras hone in on a fella among the England backroom staff who has what my colleague calls an "Edwardian moustache". No idea who he is.

2315: 154-3 Vettori's back on 15 minutes before lunch and Strauss nurdles away to pick up two through mid-wicket and a single to extra-cover.

"Writing end of term reports in my study. Please tell any of the lads in Tower its time for lights out and radio silence! Much appreciated"
Mr W in the TMS inbox

2310: 151-3 Strauss tickles Mills down to the fine-leg fence for his fourth boundary, beating a desperate dive from Martin. A pull to long-leg for one takes him to 36. Pietersen turns the ball to square-leg for two and that's 150 up for England.

2306: 144-3 All you cannibals out there - no more talk about testicles of the bull, lamb, pig or any other variety. Rob in Cornwall, thanks for that frightening description of how to pan fry Sausage flies, but I'll give that one a miss. Strauss, meanwhile, nudges one off Patel.

2304: 143-3 Strauss pushes a single and there's a loud appeal from Mills and the fielders for a catch down the leg-side against KP but Steve Davis says No. The replays show it brushed his shirt.

2257: 142-3 Pietersen sweeps his second ball for a single off Patel. It won't be attritional with him around, surely? He proves the point by hammering ball number three for a massive six over wide mid-off.

Will Kellard from Monmouth School - I've not been ignoring you. Sorry. Seb - Will says Hi. There, done.

2255: 134-3 A misfield from Vettori at mid-off gifts four to Strauss after a firm drive to Mills. I'm starting to retch at these unusual food suggestions. Can we change the subject? Please?

2250: WICKET - Vaughan c McCullum b Patel 63 (Eng 130-3)
Strauss cuts Patel for a single and then a hammer blow for England as Vaughan pushes forward to the off-spinner, playing for more spin than there is and edges behind.

"In Beijing a few years ago I ate raw pigs colon and the webbing from ducks feet. Both tasted like cold slimey rubber and looked ghastly but, not wanting to offend my host, I managed to eat them over a half hour period - then spent the whole of the next day ill in bed."
David Broom in the TMS inbox

"I had battered grasshoppers and flying ants in Zambia."
David Wallace, Toledo, Spain, in the TMS inbox

2247: Successive maidens from Patel and Mills. I might go out hunting for some of these delicacies if this goes on for much longer.

"I once ate Emu in an Aussie market in Melbourne. I was inebriated at the time."
Wayne In Portsmouth in the TMS inbox

"I had some kangaroo gonads the other day!! The drunken antics of a gap year in Australia!!
Seb in the TMS inbox

Not the first Wayne/Seb, not the first...

2241: Before I get into trouble, when I mentioned the word "competition" I was using it in a metaphorical context!

2240: 129-2 Sublime touch from Vaughan to push Mills down the ground for his eighth four and the captain moves to 63.

2238: Strauss continues to nudge away, another single off Mills takes him to 22 off 59 balls - not the Strauss of 2004 but a lot better than 2007 so far.

"Unusual foods? In an Uzbeki restaurant in Moscow last week I was offered sheep's testicles. I declined, although the meatballs in the soup I did order looked suspiciously small and wrinkled."
Ben Miller in the TMS inbox

"I have taken particular delight in eating crocodile, it has a snappy flavour some would suggest!
Dan King, Newcastle, NSW in the TMS inbox

"I've eaten cows lung before, that was terrible."
James in the TMS inbox

2235 124-2: Quality chat from Boycott and Aggers on TMS about Vivaldi, which is played out around the ground. "Is he a batsman or a bowler?" asks Boycs. Patel comes on for Vettori and Strauss nudges a single off his pads.

"Daniel Vettori will be telling his team it takes one good delivery, one mistake and they can put huge pressure on this England side."
Gus Fraser on TMS

2230: 123-2 Tremendous effort on the poetry front but really the competition's closed and I've not got a winner. Maiden for Mills to end the first hour and drinks are taken.

2225: 123-2 Well run singles for Strauss and Vaughan off Vettori, who needs to do some thinking to stop this game drifting.

"Some unidentified New Zealanders are discussing the merits of unusual foods, with bulls penises and mountain oysters being mentioned in between depressing commentary on our batting. You just don't get that level of quality in England, you really don't. Most unusual thing anyone's eaten? i think i'd have to say seaweed, but then, i'm a simple lad."Jim in Vancouver in the TMS inbox

2220: 121-2 Another majestic pull from Vaughan after Mills replaces Martin and sends down a long-hop.

2216: 117-2 Strauss chops Vettori into the covers for two and defends solidly for the rest of the over. Not real snakes in this pitch.

2213: 115-2 A leg-bye off Martin keeps the scoreboard ticking but electric strokeplay this ain't.

"Re: Ryan v Monty, can I also check out their chests as well? .....I need this for an informed decision!
Chrissy, north Notts in the TMS inbox

"I would opt for the locks of Sidebottom. Not only do they make him look like an extra from Braveheart but by tying them into some sort of bun around the chin, you would be able to create the Monty beard effect."
Matt, Melbourne in the TMS inbox

2208: 114-2 Mixed feelings from you about putting poems on this text commentary. I'm loving them. Mind you, my quality threshold is pretty low. Just the single from Strauss in Vettori's next over.

"There was an old carthorse called Steve
Who just didn't seem to believe
He ran in half-hearted
And simply got carted
The ball took an age to retrieve
Paul, Manchester in the TMS inbox

2202: 113-2 Strauss cuts Vettori superbly for another boundary. He's starting to settle after a difficult start. Not much turn so far for Vettori though.

"Just a random thought but would you rather have the superb Monty beard or the flowing long locks of Sidebottom? Tough decision I reckon."
Ben Jackson in the TMS inbox

2156: 109-2 Classic Strauss - a swivel and pull off Martin for four sumptuous runs and another pull for a single. News reaches me, meanwhile, that James Anderson's been bowled for a duck by Charlie Shreck in the Auckland-Wellington game. Let's hope he takes a few wickets - and if he doesn't let's hope Shreck gets a few more. There's a lot of competition for Harmison's place unless the big man gets a bagful in the second innings here.

2154: 104-2 Vaughan pulls Vettori for two, which would have been three but for some good fielding. I don't want to put the mockers on him but a big ton's there for the taking on this track.

2153: 102-2 Maiden from Martin, who's bowled with plenty of pace and bounce. Wonder what Strauss makes of him now (see 2141).

"There once was a batsman named KP
Who was loved by all the ladies
He played his shots with plenty of flair
The best batsman in the England cupboard that is bare"
Ben, Wiltshire in the TMS inbox

2147: 102-2 Strauss sweeps Vettori to bring up 100 for England, before he and Vaughan nudge a single each.

2145: 99-2 Fifty for Vaughan with a nudge off Martin down to the third man boundary. It came off 127 balls and featured six fours.

"He's got fifty but hasn't played particularly well, which is good news - and it's vital in the context of the game too."
Vic Marks on TMS

2141: 95-2 Strauss drives Martin nicely through extra-cover for a couple and pushes for one. These two exchanged words via the media before this series, when Straussy suggested the Kiwi bowling attack was nothing to lose sleep over.

2139: 92-2 Vaughan edges just wide of slip for two, beaten by the flight more than turn from Vettori.

"Just about ready to settle down to an evening of TMS and my dissertation, having spent the last four hours transcribing interviews for it. Here's hoping the cricket is considerably more interesting than my work!
Mark in Huddersfield in the TMS inbox

I wouldn't want to make any confident predictions on that, it's been attritional for the most part so far but a bit of KP action could change all that.

2135: 90-2 Vaughan nudges a single off Martin and gets some gentle applause. It's been a bit like a village affair at times.

"What do you recommend for dinner at 9 o'clock in the morning?"
Andy Quick in the TMS inbox

Whatever's left over by the missus or whatever I can rustle up in a semi-conscious state is the answer Andy!

2132: 89-2 Daniel Vettori opens up to Andrew Strauss, who looks far from certain against the left-armer. He's beaten twice and edges nervously for a couple. Strange stuff.

2122: I'm starting to enjoy a bit of cereal at around 8pm and dinner at 9am. I might just stick with that routine even after I'm done with the second Test, which I'm also down to work on.

2114: Before anyone gets on at me about some chap called Ben Dirs, he's otherwise engaged preparing for the Haye-Maccarinelli fight. I'm here for the next three days and I'm sure we'll get on just fine. I need you lot to stay awake with me. Dirsy was complaining about people dropping like flies past the midnight hour. That won't do OK?

2112: Lot's of chat on TMS about England's tail - a tad pessimistic eh? For England's sake let's hope we don't need to see Sidebottom, Harmison, Panesar or even Ambrose for that matter in action until day four!

"Quite a lot of England's players have a lot to play for besides the state of the match. Michael Vaughan has to make runs - he can't assume he's going to get picked every time. Then there's Andrew Strauss - his form was pretty poor last year and he needs runs. He will feel the pressure. We want to see if Ian Bell's all right and then there's the wicket-keeper, it's his first Test match and he needs to make a few runs too."
Geoff Boycott on TMS

2105: Good evening/morning/afternoon, wherever you might be. Well, well we have a potentially fascinating day's cricket ahead - I hope we do anyway. A bit of turn last evening for the Kiwi spinners and this wicket's going to break up apparently so work to do for England.