MANCHESTER, England (AP):

England made inroads into New Zealand's top order yesterday with quick wickets on either side of lunch on the first day of the second Test.

When bad light halted play early in the evening session, the Black Caps were on 202-4 after winning the toss, with Ross Taylor 67 not out and Jacob Oram unbeaten on 22.

Jamie How and Aaron Redmond established New Zealand's best Test opening partnership in four years in their quick 80-run stand.

The emphatic start was stunted with lunch approaching when England seamer Ryan Sidebottom struck twice in seven deliveries. Redmond left a ball and was bowled for 28 by Sidebottom.

Two overs later, James Marshall was out lbw for a duck - his second in the series - and New Zealand reached 92-2 by the lunch break.

"It was nice to get a good opening partnership with Aaron today," How said. "I'm dis-appointed as it would have been nice to continue until lunch."

Aggressive approach

England's aggressive approach continued after the interval.

How was removed for 64 when he was caught behind by Tim Ambrose. Brendon McCullum hit a four and six off leftarm spinner Monty Panesar before being caught at slip by Paul Colling-wood after the ball deflected off Ambrose's glove.

Daniel Flynn was forced off with blood dripping out of his mouth after James Anderson's bouncer struck his face guard and snapped off part of a front tooth, which hit the stump. The delivery also damaged other molars.

"I asked him if he was all right, but I didn't get a reply," Anderson said. "I was trying to get him out and make it as uncomfortable as possible. It's just one of those things and people do get hit."

That paved the way for Oram to replace an injured batsman - just as he did in the drawn first Test at Lord's - and he soon felt the force of Anderson on his helmet.