England reach 92-2 on weather-hit second day in New Zealand

England lost both openers early on the second day of the weather-plagued second test against New Zealand in Wellington, and closed at 92-2.

Forced to bat on a damp Basin Reserve pitch that had remained under covers for most of the last 36 hours, England ended with Mark Butcher and skipper Nasser Hussain set to resume on 24 and 16 runs respectively.

Only 30 overs were possible after play finally got underway after tea on the second day following a first-day washout.

Swing bowler Chris Drum, 1-24, and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, 1-24, combined to remove Michael Vaughan (7) and Marcus Trescothick (37) after the pair survived the new ball.

With the score on 26, Vaughan edged a Drum delivery to skipper Stephen Fleming at first slip.

Vettori, brought into the attack in the 14th over, extracted bounce and turn immediately. But Trescothick was soon hitting Vettori ? still nursing a sore back ? for boundaries before his own exuberance brought about his downfall.

Having hit a four, Trescothick tried the repeat the shot and skied a catch to Lou Vincent.

Trescothick had hit seven fours off 68 balls and his dismissal reduced the tourists to 63 for two.

Hussain and Butcher survived 46 minutes in fading light before accepting the offer to leave the field, cutting short the day by another 15 overs.

Despite bright sunshine all day, both teams watched frustratingly as the ground staff battled to dry out the areas around the wicket after rain had got under inadequate covers at the home of New Zealand cricket.

England won the first test in Christchurch by 98 runs.