New Zealand searching for top order stability

By Greg Stutchbury

NAPIER, New Zealand (Reuters) - New Zealand's inability to produce runs from their top four batsmen was painfully exposed by England during the test series that ended on Wednesday.

England won the deciding third test by 121 runs, and but for a 40-ball, 77 not out from debutant pace bowler Tim Southee the deficit could have been much higher as the hosts chased an improbable 553 to win the match.

While number three Stephen Fleming scored 297 runs at 49.50 in the series, the top four contributed just two other innings above 50, with Jamie How's 92 in Hamilton and Matthew Bell's 69 at McLean Park the other significant scores.

Fleming retired after the Napier match, How's innings at Seddon Park was his best and his production then dropped away, while Bell's innings was made with local media suggesting he was batting for his international future.

Ross Taylor, who did score his maiden test century batting at number four in the first innings in Hamilton, batted at five throughout the remainder of the series, while Mathew Sinclair, who occupied the four position after that, averaged just 11.83.

"It's been a problem for a long, long time with New Zealand cricket, our inability to score runs at the top of the order," captain Daniel Vettori told reporters.

"It's caught us out here again. We're hoping to find some guys but we know it's been a struggle for a long time so there's no magic cure for it.

"From five down we're a pretty settled side. We've got an outstanding middle and lower order and a good set of bowlers.