Moores disappointed

Steve Harmison struggles for rhythm again © Getty Images

View photo story

Watch the close of play press conference with Peter Moores on ECBtv.

Peter Moores admitted England paid the penalty for failing to adapt to the conditions, allowing a strong Selection XI to dominate the opening day of their final warm-up match before the first Test against New Zealand.

The England coach watched as a side close to their Test line-up were dismissed for a lowly 131 in seamer-friendly conditions and then saw his own bowlers fail to follow suit and allow the hosts reach 177 for four by the close.

Their display was a blow to England's preparations for next week's first Test in Hamilton with only three members of the top order reaching double figures, while bowlers both Steve Harmison and Chris Tremlett struggled for rhythm.

"It was quite hard work and it was seaming around early on," said Moores. "The groundsman thought there would be a bit in it and they bowled pretty well.

"I thought in general we played a bit loose and we paid the penalty for it.

"It's all about getting into that Test match tempo and get into that way of playing.

"There is not much time now - they've got one more innings and they've got to make the most of any time they get out there.

"But we've also got practice time and possibly set up middle practice in the far field and make sure we make the best of the practice we've got."

Moores admitted that Harmison, who finished with 1-59 from his 12 overs, and Strauss, who scored only five batting at number three, were both under scrutiny, although he insisted England were yet to finalise their Test line-up.

Chris Tremlett pushes for a Test place © Getty Images

"At the moment we're trying to finalise our team," he stressed. "We've had Owais (Shah) with us for quite a long time and we've not seen much of Andrew so we've put a side out and that gives us a chance to look at players.

"We have an idea of what the Test match team will be but we're having a look at what options we have available.

"There's obviously been a debate about the Shah/Strauss batting position and bowling-wise we have quite an interesting decision.

"Steve came out late because of the birth of his child, so we have to make sure he has enough bowling in him and that he's bowling well enough for the first Test.

"We've got to watch these guys bowl and make sure we put out the right attack that can bowl a side out twice. We need to identify that over the next six or seven days."

Left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom is making steady progress from his right hamstring strain and was fit enough to bowl in the pre-match warm-up.

He will be tested again next week once England arrive in Hamilton before they decide on their Test side.