Anderson wary of middle order threat

11:22am Friday 16th May 2008

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Jimmy Anderson has warned England to beware the dangerous New Zealand middle order as both sides battle to gain an early advantage in the opening Test at Lord's.

The New Zealanders resume on 208 for six on Friday at Lord's, with all-rounder Jacob Oram and captain Daniel Vettori at the crease, and Anderson is wary of the threat they pose to England's hopes of limiting them to a lowly first-innings total.

"Their middle order is pretty dangerous. With Oram in at number seven now and Vettori at number eight, it's very strong and experienced," Anderson said.

"That's something we have to be wary of and if we do get early wickets like we did yesterday, we can't expect to bowl them out cheaply every time because they have got strength in depth."

Oram helped Brendan McCullum, who hit two sixes and 13 fours in his innings of 97 on Thursday, add 99 off 114 balls before the latter was bowled by left-arm spinner Monty Panesar just two overs before New Zealand accepted bad light.

"He played magnificently well and when he gets into that sort of mode it's very hard to tie him down," admitted Anderson.

"We've got plans for him, but when he gets into that frame of mind and starts moving around the crease, it is a little bit off-putting - we really needed that wicket at the end.

"It's something we got used to in New Zealand, but it's still quite tricky to deal with.

"He's quick on his feet, he's got a good eye and he can be very hard to deal with when he gets going."

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