Compton fails to press his claim

Mar 1 2013

Nick Compton and Kevin Pietersen were notable among a rush of early England departures as the tourists endured an awkward third day of four at the Queenstown Events Centre ground.

England stumbled to 67 for four on the way to a teatime 115 without further loss, after a New Zealand XI had declared 77 runs behind on 349 for seven.

Compton's failure at the top of the order was especially inconvenient, and England could have done with some runs too for Pietersen.

But in their final innings before next week's first Test in Dunedin, neither could take their opportunity.

The England collective encountered a spot of unscripted bother too, in their only red-ball outing before a three-match series most expect them to win with ease.

The tourists' difficulties began with an hour and a half of unexpected punishment for their seamers from Corey Anderson and BJ Watling. Graham Onions, in particular, was taken apart in a spell of 4-0-36-0 with the second new ball as Anderson (67) and Watling (66no) raced past a century stand in only 18 overs.

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