CRICKET LORD'S TEST:JACOB ORAM typified New Zealand's determination to prevent England seizing victory with a defiant century to secure a battling draw in the opening Test at Lord's yesterday.

Having just witnessed wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum retire hurt on the final day of the rain-hit contest after being hit on an unprotected forearm, Oram walked out to bat with his side only 78 runs ahead with a minimum of 65 overs remaining in the day.

But by the time he had his off-stump knocked back with the second new ball by Ryan Sidebottom for a superb 101, Oram had all but made the game safe by extending New Zealand's lead to 210 runs with only 30 overs remaining.

It was a brilliant innings that bristled with aggression and allowed New Zealand to regroup before the resumption of the three-match series at Old Trafford on Friday.

He hit two sixes and 15 fours during his stay at the crease and dominated a 132-run partnership, during which 23-year-old debutant Daniel Flynn contributed only 22 runs, and such was his impact the two teams shook hands on a draw with New Zealand on 269 for six only four overs after his dismissal.

He had his fair share of good fortune, including flashing over the top of Paul Collingwood at second slip on 28 after mis-timing an attempted drive facing Sidebottom, while several other shots fell between fielders.

The tourists' hopes of securing a draw had been seriously undermined when they resumed two runs adrift on 40 without loss and lost two wickets inside the first eight overs of the day.

James Anderson made the first breakthrough to remove opener Aaron Redmond with extra bounce, causing him to edge to Andrew Strauss at slip and, after England had persuaded the umpires to change the mis-shaped ball, Sidebottom struck immediately with a swinging delivery that trapped James Marshall lbw.

England's efforts would have been better rewarded, however, had Strauss taken the crucial catch to remove opener Jamie How seven overs later after he had progressed to a determined 46.

Driving away from his body, How edged Sidebottom straight to Strauss at first slip at face height but this time he fumbled the catch.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar lifted spirits again shortly before lunch by winning an lbw appeal against Ross Taylor, but How was proving difficult to break.

In the end it was Stuart Broad who overcame his defiance when he edged to Alastair Cook at third slip, and was quickly followed by McCullum's retirement.

Oram announced his intentions to England by slog-sweeping Panesar for six and continued in that vein to bring up his half-century from only 67 balls by cutting Anderson to the boundary.

Even the new ball failed to halt his onslaught and Oram hammered successive fours in the first over with it off Sidebottom to reach his century.

Two overs later his off-stump was knocked over when Sidebottom seamed the ball back down the slope.

McCullum returned briefly to a rousing reception but only two balls after he had edged Anderson behind, the players shook hands on a draw.