HAMISH Rutherford’s superb 171 on Test debut has New Zealand in a great position at stumps on day three against England in Dunedin.

Rutherford, son of former New Zealand captain Ken, hit the seventh highest score for a debutant in Test cricket as the Kiwis finished yesterday’s play at 7-402 in on another rain-interrupted day in Dunedin.
And with England skittled for 167 in their first innings, the hosts are now firm favourites to win the first of the three-Test series.
Resuming at 0-132 with Rutherford on 77 and Peter Fulton on 46, England quickly claimed their first wicket.
Jimmy Anderson (4-108 off 29 overs) was the best bowler for the tourists and took the first scalp of the day when Fulton edged to wicketkeeper Matthew Prior after adding just nine runs to his overnight score.
Rutherford and Kane Williamson (24) then formed a 91-run union for the second wicket as the latter took a back seat and enjoyed a terrific display of hitting from the left-hander.
He hit 90 runs in a 35-over morning session, highlighted by a boundary through extra cover that brought up his hundred.
And Rutherford continued to punish England’s bowlers, having great success through the covers, while two sixes from one Monty Panesar (1-83 off 22) over were particularly impressive.
The tight confines of the University Oval continued to provide encouragement for the opener but after Williamson was bowled by Panesar, his innings finally came to an end.
Anderson claimed the important breakthrough with the very first delivery of the second new ball, when Rutherford chipped a delivery to substitute fieldsman Chris Woakes at mid-wicket.
All of a sudden England’s bowlers looked threatening with Dean Brownlie (27) dropped from the third ball he faced before he eventually played on off the bowling of Anderson.
Ross Taylor (31) also failed to convert a start and Stuart Broad (2-89 off 24) got in on the act for the tourists, bowling both New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling (zero) and Tim Southee (25).
England had wrestled back some momentum but failed to push on as stumps approached, with Brendon McCullum (44 not out) and Bruce Martin (17 not out) adding valuable late runs.
And by pushing the score to 402, they extended New Zealand’s lead to 235 runs with three first-innings wickets in hand. (CA)

Scorecard

ENGLAND first innings 167
NEW ZEALAND 1st innings
P. Fulton c Prior b Anderson 55
H. Rutherford c sub. Woakes) b Anderson 177
K. Williamson b Panesar 24
R. Taylor c Trott b Anderson 31
D. Brownlie b Anderson 27
B. McCullum not out 44
B. Watling b Broad 00
T. Southee b Broad 25
B. Martin not out 17
Extras: (lb-8) 08
Total: (for 7 wickets, off 108 overs) 402
To bat: N. Wagner T. Boult
Fall of wickets 1-158, 2-249, 3-267, 4-310, 5-321, 6-326, 7-370.
Bowling: Anderson 29-2-108-4, Finn 26-3-102-0, Broad 24-3-89-2, Panesar 22-2-83-1, Trott 2-0-4-0, Root 5-1-8-0.