SOUTHAMPTON (England), May 9: New Zealand continued their impressive build-up to next week’s opening Test by undermining the claims of a trio of England hopefuls in their final warm-up match at the Rose Bowl on Thursday.

Facing an England Lions side including eight internationals, the tourists looked set for the toughest test of their tour so far having boosted spirits with a convincing victory over Essex last week.

But after struggling through the morning session as the Lions survived unscathed until lunch, New Zealand bounced back strongly after losing the toss and dismissed the Lions for 280 despite a defiant 120 from Luke Wright.

Scoreboard

ENGLAND LIONS (1st Innings):

M.A. Carberry c Patel b O’Brien 41

R.W.T. Key lbw b Martin 24

O.A. Shah c McCullum b Martin 3

R.S. Bopara b Southee 7

M.J. Prior c How b Martin 10

L.J. Wright c Oram b Southee 120

A.U. Rashid c Patel b Oram 27

G.P. Swann lbw b Oram 9

C.T. Tremlett c McCullum b Oram 3

M.J. Hoggard b Southee 28

G. Onions not out 1

EXTRAS (LB-5, NB-2) 7

TOTAL (all out, 87.5 overs) 280

FALL OF WKTS: 1-49, 2-53, 3-68, 4-89, 5-89, 6-170, 7-186, 8-196, 9-273.

BOWLING: Martin 19-8-58-3 (2nb); Southee 19.5-5-80-3; O’Brien 15-4-44-1; Oram 15-8-34-3; Patel 19-4-59-0.

NEW ZEALAND: J.M. How, A.J. Redmond, J.A.H. Marshall, L.R.P.L. Taylor, B.B. McCullum, D.R. Flynn, J.D.P. Oram, T.G. Southee, J.S. Patel, I.E. O’Brien, C.S. Martin.—Agencies