Ian Bell [ Images ] stroked an unbeaten century as England [ Images ] amassed an impressive 357 for seven at the end of the first day of their match against a New Zealand [ Images ] XI in Queenstown on Wednesday.
Bell (127 not out) anchored the innings after England lost three wickets before lunch, with Kevin Pietersen [ Images ] dismissed for 14, as the visitors were reduced to 81 for three. All three wickets fell to Otago allrounder Jimmy Neesham.
Bell joined captain Alastair Cook [ Images ], who fell shortly after for 60, before the Warwickshire right-hander combined with Joe Root (49) and with test wicketkeeper Matt Prior [ Images ] (41) to solidify the innings.
The four-day match is the only warm-up England's test team will receive before their three-match series against New Zealand begins at Dunedin's University Oval on March 6.
England pace bowlers James Anderson [ Images ] and Steve Finn were both rested for the match at Queenstown Events Centre, while opening batsman Nick Compton and pace bowler Graham Onions [ Images ] were included to give them match practice ahead of the test series.
Neesham finished the day with figures of four for 65 in 17 overs.
Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
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