England facing tough run chase

Monty Panesar helped provide some respectability to England's latest bowling effort in the Commonwealth Bank Series - although New Zealand still piled up 318 for seven at the WACA.

The Black Caps' score would have been considerably larger but for a fine performance from left-arm spinner Panesar.

Brought in during the power-play periods, he took advantage of the turn and bounce on offer to finish with figures of two for 35.

His first spell of 6-2-15-0 provided control during a pivotal third-wicket stand of 137 in 25 overs between Lou Vincent and Ross Taylor.

England were left to rue missed chances, however, as both might have departed in consecutive overs.

Vincent's attempt to hit a third four in one Andrew Flintoff over saw him offer a head-high chance to Ian Bell at short cover, which was fluffed.

Then, with the score unchanged on 107 for two, wicketkeeper Paul Nixon appealed for a stumping off Panesar - only for Taylor, who had his back foot dangling in the air, to survive as umpire Steve Davis declined calling for television assistance.

Clean striking of the ball and aggressive running between the wickets were key to the stand, which culminated when Taylor - who had hit a six off the previous delivery - skied to long-on.

Panesar lured Craig McMillan down the pitch for his first success and gained a second, from his final delivery, when Brendon McCullum sliced into the off-side deep.

Although Vincent flicked tamely to midwicket, New Zealand still raced to their first score in excess of 300 in one-day internationals thanks to man-of-the-moment Jacob Oram's half-century.