Opening batsman Jamie How fell agonisingly short of his first century while New Zealand threw away a golden opportunity to seize control of the first Test against England after the first day on Wednesday.
How, whose previous highest Test score was 37, was dismissed for 92 in the final session at Seddon Park when he was well caught by Paul Collingwood off Monty Panesar before New Zealand ended the day on 282 for six.
Ross Taylor was batting on 54 with captain Daniel Vettori on four. Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum produced a dashing 51 off 55 balls before he was dismissed in the penultimate over of the day.
He and Taylor had combined for an 86-run partnership after New Zealand looked to have squandered their chance to build a big first innings when they lurched to 191 for five.
All five of the England bowlers took a wicket with Sidebottom the pick of the attack with two for 39 off 21 overs.
Despite How's composed innings and the partnership between Taylor and McCullum, New Zealand should have capitalised more on the benign pitch in ideal batting conditions after Vettori had won the toss and chosen to bat.
BRILLIANT CATCHES
New Zealand's run accumulation, however, was stymied by brilliant catches from the England fielders just as they were beginning to build partnerships.
Alastair Cook produced two spectacular catches at gully, with his one-handed diving effort at full stretch to dismiss Stephen Fleming for 41 off Sidebottom after lunch.
He produced a similar effort to catch the dangerous Jacob Oram for 10 during the final session, while he also took a sharp chance to dismiss Matthew Bell for 19 in the first session.
Collingwood also took a superb one-handed catch low down while off balance at first slip off Panesar to dismiss How shortly after tea.
The Central Districts batsman had survived two confident leg before wicket appeals off Panesar in the same over.
Mathew Sinclair (eight) was the other wicket to fall when he pushed through a Collingwood delivery and spooned a return catch to the bowler.
England suffered an injury blow during the first session when Ian Bell was taken to hospital for X-rays on his right hand after he was struck by a full-blooded pull shot from How.
The X-rays revealed no fracture in his hand or wrist and he would keep his arm in a sling and continue treatment, an England team spokesman said. No decision has been made on whether he will be able to bat.
