McCullum falls after reviving New Zealand

HAMILTON, New Zealand -- England struck an important blow by dismissing New Zealand big-hitter Brendon McCullum for 51 just before the close of the first day of the first Test in Wellington, and left the home side on 282 for six.

An 86-run partnership between McCullum and Ross Taylor had revived New Zealand after they had failed to exploit a good-looking pitch after winning the toss.

Recalled opener Jamie How top-scored with 92, easily surpassing his previous Test score of 37, but fell when his maiden Test century was in sight.

Ross Taylor, also making a comeback, was unbeaten on 54 at the close with Daniel Vettori on four.

Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain and now playing his final series before retirement, made an impressive 41 before falling to an exceptional catch by Alastair Cook, who dived to hold the ball one-handed diving to his right in the gully.

Opener Mathew Bell went for 19, also caught by Cook, Mathew Sinclair was caught and bowled by Paul Collingwood for eight and allrounder Jacob Oram was out for 10.

At 191 for five New Zealand were faltering but McCullum pulled them round.

He raced to his half-century at a run-a-ball with five fours and two sixes.

He brought up his 50 with a six and a four off Matthew Hoggard and Taylor drove the England medium pacer to the boundary for his 50 in the same over.

McCullum's exuberant approach eventually cost him his wicket when he slashed at a wide delivery from Ryan Sidebottom and gave debutant wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose his first Test dismissal.

Sidebottom impressed with with two for 39 from 21 overs but Matthew Hoggard finished one for 95.

England suffered an early setback when Ian Bell, fielding at silly mid on, was struck on the arm by a pull shot from his New Zealand namesake and taken to hospital.

It was initially feared Bell had fractured his wrist but x-rays revealed he had only suffered severe bruising. E-mail to a friend