England eye first win after restricting NZ to 205-9

SYDNEY, Jan 16 (Reuters) England gave themselves a great chance of finally winning a game on their disastrous tour of Australia when they restricted New Zealand to 205 for nine in the third tri-series one-day international in Hobart today.

England's James Anderson captured four wickets in his best performance of the summer as New Zealand failed to capitalise on the ideal batting conditions after winning the toss at Bellerive Oval.

Nathan Astle top scored with 45 off 63 balls but no-one else made it to 30, even though everyone except Ross Taylor made double figures.

Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood got two wickets each while Monty Panesar finished with one, leaving England chasing a modest total for their first victory after nine defeats and three draws on tour.

New Zealand signalled their intentions early when Brendon McCullum smacked the second ball of the match from Jon Lewis high over extra cover for a six but it wasn't long before England were on top.

Anderson dismissed McCullum when he spooned a catch to Michael Vaughan at mid-off then bowled Stephen Fleming for 12 when the New Zealand skipper dragged a wide delivery back on to his stumps.

Anderson struck again when Taylor, who made a sparkling 84 against Australia, mistimed a pull to Vaughan at cover before Collingwood bowled Astle when he was starting to look dangerous.

Peter Fulton made a patient 27 before he was caught by Vaughan at midwicket off Flintoff's first delivery and Craig McMillan chipped in with 22 before he hit a simple return catch to Collingwood as the Kiwis slumped to 146-7.

James Franklin (20) and Shane Bond (22 not out) combined with a late flurry to push the total past 200 after Panesar trapped Daniel Vettori lbw for 11 while Anderson captured his fourth wicket when he bowled Mark Gillespie with a full-toss on the last ball of the innings.

REUTERS PM BD0943