Rutherford stars as England struggle

England's woes multiplied as record-breaking debutant centurion Hamish Rutherford piled on their agony in the first Test at the University Oval.

New Zealand raced past England's paltry first-innings 167 all out and then on to a lunchtime 255 for two on a cool and cloudy third morning of this rain-shortened match.

Rutherford (167no) notably outdid his father Ken, who made a pair on debut and three more ducks among nine single-figure scores in his first 10 innings at the highest level. By contrast, the son of a famous father began his Test career by breaking a record which had endured throughout international cricket history.

Australian Charles Bannerman was the scorer of the previous highest ever score, of 165, in a debut innings against England - in the very first Test match of all, at Melbourne in 1877.

On Thursday, Rutherford reached three figures in memorable style on his home ground with a crunching cover drive off Steven Finn for his 15th four from 139 balls. For good measure, the left-handed opener greeted James Anderson's second spell of another chastening day so far for the tourists with a sequence of 4-4-2-4 from the first four balls.

Far from satisfied yet, he then passed 150 by hitting Monty Panesar for the first of two towering sixes high over long-off in the same over.

England had twice dropped Rutherford on Wednesday, on 52 and 64; but otherwise, he barely put a foot wrong in an innings full of powerful strokes through the off-side especially and down the ground.

Shortly before he went to his century, England narrowly avoided the ignominy of seeing their total surpassed without managing to take a single wicket in reply. Peter Fulton (55), batting at an anchor tempo while Rutherford continued to dominate, posted just his second Test 50 from 153 balls.

The opening stand was finally broken, though, on 158 when Fulton appeared to be undone more than anything by a lack of pace when he got an inside-edge for a low catch behind by Matt Prior off Anderson.

Rutherford was unperturbed and kept the boundaries coming in a partnership of 91 with Kane Williamson until the number four was bowled, trying to cut a Panesar arm ball.