ENGLAND BEAT NEW ZEALAND BY 114 RUNS AND LEAD THE FIVE-MATCH SERIES 1-0 So a crushing victory in the end for England. The tone was set when Bell was out off a no-ball from the first ball of the innings and promptly slapped the ensuing free hit for four. England have been superior in all departments today, and based on this evidence New Zealand desperately need Jacob Oram back if they are to compete in this series.

Over 43 Collingwood W-0-0-6-W 193ao WICKET! Mills skies one over Wright at mid-on, and the youngster holds a fine catch running back. Never easy when the ball a) goes that high and b) you have to run back and watch the ball coming over your shoulder. Very nicely done by Wright, and crafty captain Collingwood has brought himself on for some lovely cheap wickets late in the piece. Mason is the Kiwis' last man, but the batsmen crossed so it's Southee on strike. England know he can hit a long cricket ball, but this task is rather beyond him. He'll have a go, though, and collects six with a good-looking pull shot over square-leg. WICKET! He tries to slog another boundary, but can only slice the ball up in the air to extra-cover where Bell holds the simplest of catches.

Over 42 Broad 0-0-4-0-0-1 187-8 - Broad is back into the attack after a superb seven-over spell with the newish ball earlier. Mills decides that he's going to swing from the hip and hits the ball high and over Broad for a one-bounce four. He tries to repeat the shot but misses the ball, but does get a single from the final ball of the over to keep the strike.

Over 41 Collingwood W-1-W-1-0wd-0-0 180-8 WICKET! Not long left in this game now, as Hopkins slashes a cutter from Collingwood straight to point, where Bopara takes a simple catch. Mills is the new batsman and he takes a single. WICKET! Vettori tries another sweep, but this time top-edges it out to deep square-leg where Anderson holds a simple catch. Another single to Mills and a wide add a couple of runs to New Zealand's tally, but it makes little difference really.

Over 40 Swann 4-1-2-0-1-0 179-6 - Swann ends his spell with a slightly expensive over, mainly thanks to a powerful sweep for four from Vettori, but 2-45 represents a solid afternoon's work for England's offie.

Over 39 Collingwood 1-1-1-1-1-1 171-6 - Collingwood brings himself on for a trundle, and New Zealand build a nice fence. They needed a gate in there somewhere. Or something six-shaped that you might find in a fence.

Over 38 Swann 0-W-0-0-0-0 165-6 WICKET! A promising little partnership comes to an end as Flynn tries to sweep down the legside and can only feather the ball to Ambrose, possibly off the glove. Excellent take from the keeper, but Flynn doesn't look impressed with the decision. Might have been thigh rather than glove, but he's got to go. Replays from side on show he definitely didn't get a glove on it. Vettori is the new batsman with New Zealand needing almost two a ball from here on. He blocks the last four balls, so Swann has a slightly lucky wicket-maiden.

Over 37 Sidebottom 0-4-1-1-2-4 165-5 - Hopkins puts Sidebottom away over midwicket for four before collecting two with a glove down the legside that Ambrose can't gather on the half-volley. Sidebottom ends a pretty awful over with a wide half-volley that Hopkins crunches to the point boundary. Sidebottom not happy.

Over 36 Swann 0-1-0-0-1-1 153-5 - Three singles off Swann's over as New Zealand appear resigned to defeat.

Over 35 Sidebottom 1-0-1-0-4-2 150-5 - Sidebottom is back into the attack after the drinks break, and there should be a run-out first ball after a horrible mix-up. But Collingwood of all people fails to gather the ball and the batsmen, after a mid-pitch discussion, trot through for a run. A short, wide ball from Sidebottom is carved down to third-man where Mascarenhas can't prevent the boundary. Sidebottom furious with the fielding, but it was a rank bad ball. Flynn cuts the last ball of the over through point for a couple, and he continues to look like a player New Zealand would do well to look after. Huge promise.

Over 34 Swann 0-1-1-0-0-0 142-5 - Swann bowls the final over before the mandatory ball change, and concedes just a couple of singles. The game really is just drifting towards its inevitable conclusion here, even though New Zealand are not actually that far behind on the over-by-over comparison. England were 148-3 at this point, but Pietersen, Collingwood and Shah were all about to enjoy themselves.

Over 33 Wright 0-0-2-1-0-1 140-5 - Wright seems to be enjoying the chance for a prolonged bowl here. He's got a few variations up his sleeve and can get the ball down the other end at a fair lick when the mood takes him. Just four runs off this over, and he's bowling a decent spell.

Over 32 Swann 1-0wd-0-1-1-1-0 136-5 - Swann's been fairly expensive here, and is again milked easily for singles. But, with England in the position they are, it hardly matters.

Over 31 Wright 0-2-1-1-0-0 131-5 - Flynn looked a compact, organised player in the Test series but he's showing here that he's got some shots as well. A chip over midwicket gets two and a powerful pull shot gets a single. Hopkins gets off the mark to midwicket before Flynn misses out, cutting the ball hard but straight to point.

Over 30 Swann W-4-4-1-0-2lb 127-5 WICKET! It had to happen. Sooner or later, Styris had to try and clear the boundary. Turns out it's sooner, and he fails. He aims over the legside and can only pick out Anderson on the midwicket boundary. Easy catch, and, it seems, an easy victory for Collingwood's men. But wait a minute, Flynn's got other ideas. He's been impressive on this tour, and promptly collects two boundaries - one guided to fine third-man where Wright makes one of the most pointless dives ever seen (he started to slide after the ball crossed the rope) and the other fetched from outside off stump and slog-swept through midwicket. A single and two leg-byes add up to an expensive but successful over.

Over 29 Wright 0-1-0-1-1lb-1 116-4 - England are strangling this game now. The required rate's up to nine an over and Flynn and Styris are dealing purely in singles. With no Oram in this line-up, it's hard to see where the big-hitting New Zealand need in the closing overs is going to come from.

Over 28 Swann 1lb-1-0-1-0-1 112-4 - New Zealand dealing purely in singles, and singles just aren't going to hurt England. Swann not posing much threat, but he's doing a good enoguh job.

Over 27 Wright 1-0-0-0-0-1 108-4 - Wright doing a very decent job for his captain here. He's not bowling any loose stuff and every over that costs just two or three sends the required rate climbing: it'll soon be at nines.

Over 26 Swann 0-1-0-2-0-1 106-4 - New Zealand still collecting runs off Swann but not in sufficient numbers to overly worry England at this stage.

Over 25 Wright 0-2-W-0-0-1 102-4 WICKET! New Zealand's only realistic chance of victory departs as Taylor looks to just chip the ball to long-on for a single but times the ball too well and gets the ball to carry all the way to Sidebottom who takes an easy catch. Wright has his first ODI wicket, and England surely have a series lead here. Flynn is the new batsman for New Zealand, who now need to score over eight an over to pull off an unlikely victory. Wright, by the way, held the ball across the seam for that delivery so credit to him for that variation.

Over 24 Swann 1-2-2-0-0-1 99-3 - Styris takes a sharp single to Wright at short fine-leg before Taylor again shows excellent skill to work the ball into the legside with just enough pace to get the ball into a legside gap for two runs. Clever, canny batting. A more forceful shot, a sweep, looks sure to bring four until Anderson flings himself across the turf at deep midwicket to save two runs. Superb stuff. Taylor gets another single from the final ball of the over, and Swann's just being milked quite easily at the moment.

Over 23 Wright 1lb-0-1-0-0-0 93-3 - Collingwood does save a few Broad overs, throwing the ball to Wright. He starts well enough, hustling the ball through at decent enough pace and conceding just a leg-bye and a single from his opening over.

Over 22 Swann 0-2-1-1-0-1 91-3 - Spin for the first time in the innings as Graeme Swann gets in on the act. Taylor plays to leg with beautiful weight to allow a second run, and there are a couple of tight singles taken on as New Zealand verge on panic. It's fair to say there's some disparity between the pace of these two batsmen between the wickets, and that can often lead to fun and games. Taylor takes a far mroe leisurely single down the ground from the final ball of the over.

Over 21 Broad 1-0-0-1-0-1 86-3 - An expensive over by Broad's standards, three singles coming from it. Collingwood might want to just hold back a few overs from Broad here, but there will be a temptation to get the full 10 through while he's bowling so well.

Over 20 Anderson 0-4-1-1-2-2lb 83-3 - Anderson still struggling for some control here. A rank long-hop is smeared over point for four by Styris before a couple of full balls are driven for singles. Styris opens the face to place a drive through square-cover for a couple before ducking a short ball. It hits the batsman on the back and Ambrose makes a mess of gathering it, allowing two leg-byes. Ten off the over all told as New Zealand at least end the Powerplay overs with something of a flurry.

Over 19 Broad 0-W-0-0-0-1 73-3 WICKET! Broad doing sterling work for England here, ending How's awkward innings. He tries to go over the top but succeeds only in lobbing a simple catch to Wright at cover. Slower ball from Broad, and the batsman completely decieved. Styris is the new batsman, and after a bit of playing and missing he gets off the mark with a drive to mid-off.

Over 18 Anderson 0-1-0-0-4-0 72-2 - A thick outside edge to third-man gets How a single, and Taylor goes to 1,000 ODI runs with a drive over Anderson and too straight for Pietersen to cut out. Not entirely convincing, but four nonetheless.

Over 17 Broad 1-0-1-0-0-0 67-2 - New Zealand can't get Broad away here, and he really does seem to be bowling a yard quicker than during the Tests. Just two singles off the over, and halfway through his spell Broad has conceded just seven runs as well as picking up New Zealand's best player. When defending 300, that's handy.

Over 16 Anderson 0-0-2-0-0-0 65-2 - Chance! New Zealand should be three down. How pushes the ball into the legside where Wright's superb diving stop causes a mid-pitch conference between How and Taylor. The result should be a simple run-out, but instead of gently lobbing the ball towards either set of stumps, Wright panics and flings the ball wide of the bowler's-end stums and allows an overthrow. Anderson screams "No, Wrighty!" - a sentiment echoed around the country.

Over 15 Broad 0-0-1-1-0-0 63-2 - Broad doing a fine job here as the Powerplay overs begin to ebb away for the Kiwis. Just two singles from the over, and - I'm pleased to report - unanimous backing for KP's switch-hitting on the emails. It's thrilling, exciting, and "worth the admission fee" are some of the comments received. "Ban that type of brilliance at your peril," cautions Michael Hollick. Couldn't agree more.

Over 14 Anderson 3-0-0-0-0-0 61-2 - Anderson is back into the attack with McCullum off the scene, but he still get clipped away through midwicket for three. Good work from Bopara to reel that in just inside the rope. WICKET! And that's even better work from Collingwood. Marshall takes what looks a fairly safe single to point but Collingwood swoops and shocks the batsmen by shying at the non-striker's end where Marshall was ambling slightly. The ball hits the top of the middle stump with Marshall a couple of inches short of the line. The third umpire confirms England's delight, but it does bring a decent player in to exploit Powerplay overs: Taylor, New Zealand's second - and probably last - hope in this game.

Over 13 Broad 0-0-0-0-0-0 58-1 - Broad working up some real pace - frequently getting up over 90mph if the speed gun is to be believed. His figures are 3-2-3-1, which is pretty decent considering New Zealand were going at 6.50 an over when he came on.

Over 12 Sidebottom 0-0-2-0-0-1 58-1 - England sneak through another quiet over as Marshall clips a couple into the legside for a two then a single. As the excitement on the field dies down, I'm keen to know what you reckon to Pietersen's left-handed antics today. Fair game? Should be banned? Unfeasibly brilliant? Hit the FEEDBACK or email Dave.Tickner@bskyb.com

Over 11 Broad 0-0-0-0-0-0 55-1 - It's all gone quiet since McCullum's departure. Back-to-back maidens now as England take control. Marshall at three isn't going to put any captain off taking the Powerplay. England won't mind these two playing out the next ten overs for 30 or 40.

Over 10 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-0-0 55-1 - The first Powerplay ends with a maiden as England wrest back control. A couple of overs ago, Collingwood faced a tricky decision about Powerplay Two. It's a no-brainer now.

Over 9 Broad W-2-0-1-0-0 55-1 WICKET! McCullum has successfully whacked Anderson out of the attack, but might wish he hadn't. The first ball from Stuart Broad is a gentle loosener outside the off stump, but McCullum slaps it straight to Bell at cover. McCullum can't quite believe he's done that, and nor can Broad. Marshall is the new batsman, and gets off the mark with a neat clip off the pads for two. Broad errs in line again two balls later, and is clipped away for a single this time. But it's a fine over for England, with New Zealand's danger man back in the shed.

Over 8 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-4-0 52-0 - Four dot balls put some pressure on How, but he relieves it in fine style with a beautiful straight drive punched straight back past Sidebottom, who reacts with usual good humour and restraint. Or shakes his hair with rage - you decide.

Over 7 Anderson 4-1-1-0-4-0 48-0 - Poor fare here from Anderson. McCullum's going to go for this regardless, so there's no need to be offering up long-hops outside the off stump. McCullum gratefully accepts the gift, however, cutting it behind point for another boundary. After a couple of singles, McCullum gets another short ball and hits it over midwicket for four more. No timing this time, and the ball teases Wright all the way to the boundary before just beating the England player's dive.

Over 6 Sidebottom 0-0-2-1-1-0 38-0 - There's already more purpose about New Zealand's running than in the early stages of the England innings. A gentle push into the legside getss How two as he runs hard to get back. He gets a single next ball to get the main man back on strike, but McCullum can only pull it round the corner to sub fielder Dimi Mascarenhas for a single.

Over 5 Anderson 4-0-0-2-0-4 34-0 - A full, fast delivery from Anderson is hit back past him with interest by McCullum. An awesome shot, and all the better for being a proper cricket shot. Almost carried for six again. He tries to carve the next ball over third-man bbut misses, and it's shot-a-ball stuff here from the explosive opener. A thick inside edge through square-leg gets two runs, and McCullum is already a danger to England. The final ball of the over is a rank long-hop from Anderson, and any half-decent batsman would put that away to the boundary at point; McCullum's probably just annoyed he didn't get it up and over the boundary for six.

Over 4 Sidebottom 1-0wd-0-1-0-1-2 24-0 - McCullum swings the ball into the legside but gets only a single. How chases a wide one from Sidebottom and makes no contact before a push to cover earns a well-judged single. McCullum has another slog and gets a top edge down to third-man where Anderson doesn't seem to pick the ball up. It was up in the air a long time, but Anderson never got close. Sidebottom reacts in trademark style, screaming and waving his hair around in anger and disbelief. The final ball of the over is guided through gully by How, who just beats Anderson's throw from the deep to collect two.

Over 3 Anderson 1lb-4-1-0-0-0 18-0 - McCullum is going to take England on in these early overs. Anderson offers some width and McCullum stays legside of the ball to crash it over backward-point. Almost carried for six. Different game with How on strike, and Anderson jags one back past the inside edge of the right-hander.

Over 2 Sidebottom 0-2-0-2-0-6 12-0 - McCullum makes his intentions clear, trying to slog Ryan Sidebottom's first ball through the legside and missing. He tries again next ball and gets the ball behind square but with no timing. Two runs for that, and two more for an ugly mow wide of mid-on. McCullum goes again at the final ball of the over, coming down the track and smashing it over long-on for the first six of the innings. If New Zealand are to chase this total, then it needs to be the first of many.

Over 1 Anderson 1-0-0-1-0-0 2-0 - James Anderson bowls the first over of New Zealand's innings and, after Jamie How gets under way wi th a first-ball single, beats McCullum outside the off stump with a swinging delivery. McCullum gets off the mark with a single clipped into the legside, but a good, steady opening over from Anderson.

Over 50 Southee 1-1-0wd-0nb-6-2-W-1nb-1 307-5 - Southee has the dubious honour of the final over, but a couple of singles get him off to a reasonable start. A very short bouncer is called a wide and, for reasons best known to himself, Southee repeats it. You can't bowl two short balls in the over, so that's a no-ball. No free hit for that, but it might as well have been as Shah whacks a length ball back down the ground for six to take England past 300. WICKET! Shah falls short of a half-century, trying to clear the legside boundary and picking out How on the rope. But a marvellous cameo from the Middlesex man, whacking and gliding his way to 49 off just 25 balls. What should be the final ball of the innings is hit down the ground by Pietersen for a single, who's annoyed to discover it's a no-ball. He should have kept the strike for the free hit, but instead Tim Ambrose gets it, and edges the ball to third-man for a single. Pietersen accepts the applause as he leaves the field after a magnificent innings, although Shah was the man to propel England past the magical 300 with a superb 25-ball cameo he rocketed off the launch pad created by Pietersen and Collingwood.

Over 49 Mills 1-1-4-0-4-4nb-1 292-4 - Mills bowls his final over of the innings, and starts well with just two singles from the first two balls of the over. But the third ball is a length ball, and that's no good at this stage of the innings. Shah moves to 35 from 16 balls with a crunching shot down the ground, splitting long-on and long-off. He gets four more with a cunning, improvised sweep over short fine-leg. Shah looks to repeat the shot, so Mills bowls a bouncer. But the keeper's up to the stumps and has no chance as the ball flies away over Shah's head for four byes. No-ball as well, so another run, another ball and a free-hit. Shah can only swing it away for a single, so Mills escapes further punishment.

Over 48 Southee 1-6-1-0wd-0-4-1nb-1 276-4 - Southee is the latest in the Pietersen firing line, but gets away with a single from the first ball. But that puts him in Shah's sights, and he smashes him back down the ground and theratens the glass in front of the commentary box. Awesome little innings, this. A single to long-off gets Pietersen back on strike and Southee, getting a thorough examination here, bowls a wide as Pietersen backs away. He backs away again, targeting the gap at extra-cover and this time finding it. The ball sails over the infield, bouncing just once before crashing into the fence. The next ball is a no-ball giving Shah a free hit, but he can only drag it to long-on for a single. Thirty-one runs from the last two overs for England, and now - with two overs to go - 300 is within range.

Over 47 Mills 1-2-4-6-1-1 260-4 - Mills back into the attack. Pietersen pulls the ball to long-leg for a single to reach his first ODI century in England (104 balls, 7x4s, 3x6s). Eighty-eight runs right-handed, 12 left-handed. All the focus is, inevitably, on Pietersen but Shah's playing a useful cameo here. A clip through midwicket gets him two runs before a deft glance fine of short fine-leg gets a boundary. He then goes big, launching a huge shot high into the sky and 20 yards back behind long-on. Mills finally gets a yorker in, but Shah squeezes it out to cover for a single. Pietersen gets another from the final ball of the over to keep the strike. England will, it's safe to say, get more than the 270 I challenged them to post.

Over 46 Mason 1-0-4-2-1-1 245-4 - Mason is in for his final over, with Hopkins up to the stumps. Pietersen gets a single, so Hopkins goes back. Mason bowls a bouncer that sails way over Shah's head but is, bafflingly, not signalled wide. The next ball is fuller and gets the treatment, Shah opening the face to get the ball over extra-cover where there are no boundary riders. He gets two through midwicket, and by playing shots himself he's taking the pressure off Pietersen. A single gives Pietersen the last ball to face, and he whacks it out to deep cover for a single to move to 99 and keep the strike.

Over 45 Styris 1-1-0-1-1-1 236-4 - Good over from Styris. Just five singles from it, which New Zealand will gladly settle for. And not a left-hander in sight.

Over 44 Vettori 1-2-1-6-W-0 231-4 WICKET! Vettori strikes in his final over, Collingwood chopping into his stumps but not before he'd clubbed a six just over Mason at long-on to reach 64 at a run a ball. Owais Shah is the new batsman, charged with the task of giving as much strike as possible to England's switch-hitting genius Pietersen.

Over 43 Styris 1-0-1-2-0-6 221-3 - Styris follows his skipper in slowing the run-rate right up until the point that Pietersen decides to go left-handed again. This time the shot is even more astonishing, smashed over long-off/on. Styris smiles, and there's little else he can do. It's just astonishing brilliance from Pietersen. Is it fair? Probably not. But is it 'fair' when a leg-spinner bowls a googly? If someone is talented enough to score sixes batting either way round, then fair play to them.

Over 42 Vettori 1-0-0-0-0-0 211-3 - Vettori brings himself back on to try and stem the flow of runs. And he does it quite superbly, conceding just a single. Top effort.

Over 41 Styris 2-4-3-1-1-1 210-3 - Collingwood chips over midwicket for two runs to bring up 200 for England. He gets the next ball fine of third-man for four to bring up a much-needed half-century (52 balls, 4x4s 1x6). He clips the next ball into the legside and a mix-up between Mason and Flynn turns a possible two into an easy three. Not New Zealand's day, it seems. Singles from the last three balls of the over keep England ticking over, and that 270 mentioned earlier now looks like a bare minimum target. England have scored 43 in the last four overs.

Over 40 Mason 0-6-1-0-0-4 198-3 - This partnership is starting to take things away from New Zealand as Collingwood launches a six over midwicket, albeit right-handed the big girl. Mason pulls it back quite well until the final ball of the over, which Pietersen smashes with awesome power straight down the ground. Flynn makes a valiant effort at long-on but can't save the boundary. These two have added 103 at better than a run a ball now.

Over 39 Styris 1-1-6-1-0-1 187-3 - The Taylor experiment comes to an end and Styris is back into the attack. He should have a wicket straight away as Collngwood hits a reverse sweep up into the air but Jamie How's fielding is reminiscent of Styris' earlier as he runs round the ball and fields on the bounce. Pietersen then draws gasps from the crowd and an admiring smile from the bowler as he jumps round and switches his hands to play left-handed and clear the boundary at what was deep cover but is now midwicket. Astonishing shot, and that's quite a gift. Most people struggle to score sixes the right way round.

Over 38 Mason 1-4-0-4-0-1 177-3 - Collingwood defends the first ball of the over into the offside, and is called through for a smart single by Pietersen. He takes on the next ball, aiming over midwicket and getting an inside edge that wrongfoots Hopkins and scurries away for four. Mason unhappy, but Pietersen shows he knows how to play the shot properly by standing still and smacking a short ball through midwicket in glorious style. Much better, but he follows it with another skip down the track and an ugly heave that dribbles harmlessly to mid-on. He's down the track to the final ball as well, hitting it to mid-off for a single.

Over 37 Taylor 0-0-1-1-0wd-1-2 167-3 - Taylor, the odd wide apart, is doing all right here. Just six runs from the over, and England struggling to get him away. After a few singles, Pietersen has a big heave at the final ball of the over and gets a couple.

Over 36 Mills 0-1-0-1-2-1 161-3 - Collingwood aims a huge heave over midwicket, but makes poor contact and collects only a single. The intent is clear, though. Pietersen toe-ends an ugly pull shot through square-leg for a single, and he isn't at his fluent best it's fair to say. Collingwood's looking to be inventive here, getting across his stumps and helping the ball round the corner to fine-leg for two runs. A single to third-man completes the over and the players will take drinks. John Perry wants to know what par score on this track is. Tricky, John. It looked a belter when Bell was batting, but no-one else has been able to time the ball with any consistency. There's a hint of seam movement as well, but it is a good pitch and a fast outfield. England will be disappointed if they don't get up to around 270 from here, I'd say. Couple of quick wickets will lead to some reassessment though.

Over 35 Taylor 4wd-0-1-0-0-1-1 156-3 - Here's an interesting change from Vettori. He's thrown the compulsorily-changed ball to Taylor, who apparently bowls off-spin. Never seen it myself and he doesn't get off to a good start, stuffing his first ball down the legside for five wides. He comes back pretty well, though, conceding just three runs from the rest of the over.

Over 34 Mills 0-1-0-0-0-2 148-3 - Mills is back into the attack in place of Southee, and comes back with a good over. There's just one run from the first five balls of the over, some extremely slack running from Pietersen - sliding his bat in with the wrong hand because he's got his gloves in the right one - removes any possibility of a second run. Pietersen clips the last ball of the over into the legside and this time the running is a bit better and they do pick up a second run. Far be it from me to suggest Pietersen is more interested in his runs than anyone else's... but I can't really finish that sentence.

Over 33 Vettori 2-0-1-1-0-0 145-3 - Pietersen top-edges a sweep shot but gets it over short fine-leg for a couple of runs to take him through to 50 (62 balls, 4x4s, 1x6). Another top-edged sweep looks sure to see the back of Pietersen, but Styris makes no attempt to get under it, running sideways and taking it after it's bounced. Poor fielding; he should have at least got to it on the full. Pietersen gets one, and Collingwood helps himself to a single down the ground to bring up the 50 partnership.

Over 32 Southee 0-1-1-0-1-1 141-3 - A standard mid-innings one-day international over. Four singles are collected without alarm or excitement. Collingwood, incidentally, has moved on to 26 and his highest score of the summer in any cricket.

Over 31 Vettori 1-0-1-0-0-0 137-3 - Vettori restores some control for his side with a tight over. A single each is all the batsman can accrue.

Over 30 Southee 0-4-1-0-0-1 135-3 - Southee is back into the attack and Collingwood, who is clearly - like Bell - relishing the return to coloured clothing, thumps him down the ground for a one-bounce four. Only a couple of yards short of a maximum. A couple more singles follow, and England are actually doing things pretty well in these inbetween overs at the moment.

Over 29 Vettori 6-1-1-0-0-0 129-3 - Pietersen decides he's seen enough of Vettori, and smashes an impressive drive back down the ground for the second six of the innings. A couple of singles means it adds up to a good over for England, who are - glory be - actually trying to score boundaries in the middle overs. It's a crazy, madcap scheme.

Over 28 Styris 1-2-0-1-1-0 121-3 - Pietersen collects a single before Collingwood paddles the ball over the vacant short-fine-leg area. Bit of a top edge, but perfectly safe and two runs. He repeats the shot and plays it rather better. Of course, that means it gets to fine-leg quicker so he gets only a single. Pietersen plays a similar shot even though there is now a man in on the 45, and has to scamper to complete his single.

Over 27 Vettori 0-0-0-0-1-1 116-3 - Vettori is chucking the ball high into the air to try and tempt Collingwood into an injudicious shot. Not this time though, as Collingwood defends before pushing to point for a single. Pietersen hits a sweep hard but straight to deep square-leg to keep the strike.

Over 26 Styris 0-4-4-1-0-4 114-3 - The Collingwood plan backfires slightly. Collingwood plays a trademark shot over mid-on for his first boundary before guiding the next ball fine of the third-man fielder for four more. A real flurry of unexpected activity is completed when, after a single, Pietersen thumps the final ball of the over through the covers for a third boundary in the over. You're lucky if you get three boundaries in the middle 20 overs all told, so to get three in one over is a feast indeed.

Over 25 Vettori 0-1-0-0-0-1 101-3 - Pietersen helps himself to a single to the wide open spaces on the legside. Almost as if New Zealand are prepared to give Pietersen the single to bowl at Collingwood. Or, in other words, he's treating Collingwood like a tail-ender. He even offers Collingwood a single from the final ball of the over to keep the strike. A bit mean, really.

Over 24 Styris 0-0-W-1-1-2 99-3 WICKET! Styris is back into the attack, and strikes almost instantly. Bopara hits the ball hard straight back at the bowler, but doesn't try to keep the ball down or go right over the top. Instead the ball comes to Styris at head height and, while the catch was a sharp one, it's a shot that Bopara will be disappointed with. England, as they so often do, are drifting along aimlessly in 50-over cricket, apparently unaware of what will constitute a decent score. Captain Collingwood, horribly out of form, will be hoping the switch to coloured clothing dows for him what it did for Bell. He gets off the mark straight away with a nurdle into the legside, before Pietersen collects a single down the ground. Collingwood guides the final ball of the over wide of gully for a couple. The arrival of a local lad in the middle has it least stirred the crowd slightly.

Over 23 Vettori 0-1-1-0-0-1 95-2 - Were mired in the overs that show why no-one cares about 50-ver cricket any more: 50-over cricket - it's Twenty20 with the boring bits put back in! Three singles are milked from the over as the crowd wait patiently for the fun to start again around about the 40th over.

Over 22 Mason 0-1-0-2-0-0 92-2 - Bopara collects his second single before Pietersen clips into the gap at square-leg for two more. Poor running, really: Southee had to cover a lot of ground and slide to save that ball, and with a bit more purpose England could have got three.

Over 21 Vettori 0-0-1-0-0-4 89-2 - Vettori is back into the attack with the Poweplays done for, and - thanks to Taylor - he's got new batsman Ravi Bopara to bowl at. There's a slip in place, but Bopara pushes to cover for an easy single. Pietersen is on the sweep final ball, and hits it powerfully and precisely between the two fielders in the deep.

Over 20 Mason 0-1-4-0-0-0 84-2 - WICKET! The final ball of the Powerplay sees England lose their second wicket. Bell is rapped on the pads, and there's a big but optimistic lbw appeal. That's turned down, but Pietersen has called Bell through for a leg-bye. Bell, perhaps concerned about the lbw, is slow to set off and Ross Taylor's direct hit beats him by 18 inches.

Over 19 Styris 1-1-1-0-1-0 79-1 - One-day specialist Scott Styris is into the attack after just a single over from Vettori. Bell aims over mid-off but gets a thick inside edge into the legside for a single. The batsmen just seem to sense they're a little bit behind where they'd like to be here. Not disastrously short, but there's a sense that they should be going at five-and-a-half rather than four-and-a-half. Three more singles from the over keeps England ticking over but still at an unspectacular rate.

Over 18 Mason 1-1-1-1-0-0 75-1 - Pietersen eases the first ball of Mason's over to long-on for an easy single before Bell, increasingly frustrated, tries to manufacture something. His attempted hoik over leg comes off an inside edge and wide of the leg stump for a lucky run. Pietersen helps himself to another single to square-leg, and Bell does the same

Over 17 Vettori 0-1-0-0-0-0 71-1 - Here's a key battle: Vettori v Pietersen, in Powerplay cricket. Quiet start, though. Pietersen forces the second ball to deep cover for a single, and Bell decides to take a look and defends the rest of the over.

Over 16 Mason 1-4-0-1-1-1 70-1 - The final Powerplay starts with a poor over from Mason. A leg-stump full-toss is clipped away to the fence by Pietersen, while even a forward defensive straight back to the bowler earns Bell a single as Mason needlessly throws down the stumps, sending the ball bouncing away to third-man.

Over 15 Southee 0-0-0-1-0-0 62-1 - England are struggling to maintain the momentum here, and Pietersen shows the frustration is getting to the batsmen as he aims a mighty heave over midwicket at a ball well outside the off stump. Not pretty. England have scored just 15 runs in that Powerplay.

Over 14 Mason 0-0-0-0-2-0 61-1 - Pietersen squeezes a drive through the packed cover field without timing it properly and gets two. Good over from Mason, bowling a tight line and a good full length.

Over 13 Southee 4-1-1-0-0-1 59-1 - Southee is back into the attack, and starts with a long half-volley that Pietersen drives imperiously back through straight mid-on. Glorious shot in any form of the game. He wristily flicks the next ball to midwicket for a single, and Bell adds another to third-man. Pietersen defends the final ball of the over to cover, almost setting off for the single before the ball hits the bat.

Over 12 Mason 0-W-0-2lb-1-0 52-1 WICKET! Wright's slightly tortured innings comes to a tame end. He was ticking, and tried to club a length ball over mid-off. Instead, he lobbed it gently to Vettori who takes a simple catch. Wrong shot to the wrong ball. Kevin Pietersen is the new batsman for England and immediately he's wandering across his stumps looking to open up the legside. Instead, the ball flicks off his pads and wide of Hopkins for a couple of leg-byes. A chip to midwicket gets Pietersen off the mark, and Mason ends a successful over with a good one that leaves Bell and beats him.

Over 11 Mills 1-0-1-0-0-0 49-0 - Quiet over to start the second Powerplay, just a couple of singles coming from it.

Over 10 Mason 0-0-4-0-1-4 47-0 - Mason is into the attack to bowl the final over of the first Powerplay. Bell drills a drive straight back at the bowler, who fields painfully in his followthrough. The next ball is a good one just outside the off stump, but Bell craftily opens the face and guides it wide of the keeper and fine of third-man for another boundary. Bell is stepping down the track again two balls later to push the ball to cover and get through for a single. Wright gets his first boundary of the innings, clubbing a full delivery from Mason back through mid-on.

Over 9 Mills 0-0-0-0-0-0 38-0 - Wright just can't get the ball through the field here, hammering a couple of cut shots straight at James Marshall at backward-point. He's used up a lot of balls in these early overs, and needs to make sure those aren't wasted. Mustn't get frustrated and throw his wicket away.

Over 8 Southee 2-1-0-0-2-1 38-0 - Bell tucks the ball into the legside for a scampered two, and a thick edge wide of gully gets him another single. Wright plays his first convincing shot of the day, a cut that looks sure to bring four until McCullum's stunning diving stop on the third-man fence. Who needs gloves? Wright collects another single to midwicket from the final ball of the over.

Over 7 Mills 0-0-0-1-0-0 32-0 - Bell collects a single to third-man, and Daniel Grace asks if Bell has opened for England before. He's done it 12 times before today, but this is his first go at opening in England. He's scored 447 runs at 37 opening the innings, which isn't too shabby.

Over 6 Southee 1-0-1-0-1-1 31-0 - Three singles for England, all collected to third-man where McCullum is the fielder making a mockery of the notion that wicketkeepers have poor arms. At least one of the shots had the batsmen considering a second, but McCullum's speed across the ground and accurate return puts them off. Bell clips the final ball of the over into the legside for another easy run.

Over 5 Mills 0-0-1lb-0-0-4 27-0 - Wright struggling to get going here, and he survives another close lbw shout. This time the ball is perhaps going just over the leg bail, so umpire Llong is right to say no. The batsmen scamper through for a leg-bye before another high-class shot from Bell earns four. Fine-leg is up in the circle, and Bell clips the ball wide of him to collect an easy boundary. What do you make of Bell's promotion to the top of the order? It seems to be working so far - have England finally stumbled on a solution to a problem that has vexed them since Marcus Trescothick went out of the side? Let me know your thoughts on that, or anything else, by clicking the FEEDBACK icon or emailing me: Dave.Tickner@bskyb.com

Over 4 Southee 1nb-0-0-1-0-6-0 22-0 - Southee oversteps and is tucked away for a single by Bell. That gives Wright the chance to take on a free hit, but Southee cleverly bangs one in short and Wright misses his attempted swat despite appearing to successfully anticipate the bowler's plan. A misfield from Matt Mason at mid-on allows Wright to get off the mark two balls later. Bell, continuing to relish the switch from white to coloured clothing, steps down the track to effortlessly clip Southee over the square-leg boundary for the full count.

Over 3 Mills 0-0-0-0-1-0 13-0 - Better over from Mills. He was guilty of rather floating the ball up to Bell in the first over. Now he's hitting the deck with a bit more purpose just back-of-a-length and keeping the batsman honest. He gets a quick single to midwicket, but that's England's only reward.

Over 2 Southee 0-0-0-0-0-0 12-0 - Southee shares the new ball, and fares rather better with it than his more-experienced partner. He's finding swing from the start, shaping the ball away from Wright. He then hoops one back into the right-hander, almost trapping him leg-before. It was definitely hitting, but was one of those balls that gets squeezed between bat and pad. It was probably just pad first, but hard for an umpire to be sure on a solitary viewing.

Over 1 Mills 0nb-4-2-4-0wd-0-0-0 12-0 - It's a one-day international, and that usually means a new-look opening partnership. Phil Mustard and Alastair Cook become Ian Bell and Luke Wright. Kyle Mills opens the bowling for the tourists and starts with a good ball, but unfortunately a no-ball. It jags past Bell's outside edge - might even have flicked the glove - but Nigel Llong's arm is outstretched That means a free hit, which Bell lofts back down the ground for a high-class four. Nice to have a freebie to get up and running. The next two deliveries are rotten and legside, allowing Bell to get England off to a fast start. He clips the first through midwicket for a couple and the second slightly squarer for four. It's in the air, but out of Daniel Flynn's reach at square-leg. A wide continues Mills' woes, as Snicko reveals there was indeed a nick on that first delivery. It's already proved a costly error.

PITCH REPORT Sir Ian Botham likes the look of the pitch, and expects runs if the showers stay away. That's quite a big if, though.

TOSS Daniel Vettori calls correctly and chooses to bowl first, citing an iffy weather forecast as the reason behind the decision. England captain Paul Collingwood doesn't seem too disheartened and, even though this is his home ground, admits he's not entirely sure how the pitch will play.

TEAM NEWS England make one change, Ryan Sidebottom coming in for Dimitri Mascarenhas, while the Kiwis draft in Tim Southee and Gareth Hopkins. That means Brendon McCullum plays as a specialist batsman at the top of the order. Jacob Oram is still out injured, while it's Peter Fulton and Mark Gillespie who make way from Friday's XI.

WELCOME To the Riverside, Chester-le-Street for the opening game of this five-match one-day series. England will be buoyant after crushing victories in the Tests and Friday's Twenty20 clash. But they thumped the Black Caps in two hit-and-giggles over the winter before being soundly beaten in the 50-over affairs, so they'll be wary.