New Zealand while away time

Kyle Mills is pleased by how he bowled on a shortened third day of the first Test

View photo story

New Zealand's weather frustrations were lifted by visits from their country's biggest sporting stars at Lord's.

Only 8.5 overs were possible on a wet third day of the npower Test against England, turning a match already viciously shorn of time by the elements into a damper squib.

But the Black Caps welcomed Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen, Saracens lock Chris Jack and their own former colleague Chris Cairns into their dressing room to watch Portsmouth's FA Cup final victory.

"It makes for a very long day," said fast bowler Kyle Mills. "We've had Chris Jack, Chris Cairns and Ryan Nelsen up in our sheds this afternoon, so it has been good to have a wee chat with them.

"Obviously the FA Cup final was on TV and there was also some rugby league from Australia on to keep us entertained."

Mills joked that John Bracewell was cheering for Portsmouth due to his experience of the Bristol-Cardiff sporting rivalry during his coaching stint with Gloucestershire.

Earlier Bracewell might have been cheered by an improved display with the ball by his side.

"This morning was much better than last night when we might have searched a bit too much and got caught up in the excitement of the first Test at Lord's," said Mills. "But today was a good effort from myself and Chris Martin.

"We beat the bat two or three times each and they weren't scoring as freely."

The New Zealanders have so far struggled to enact aerial movement with the Duke's ball, however, despite the helpful overhead conditions.

"Sometimes it feels really great in the hand and others it doesn't," explained Mills.

"The ball so far in this innings has hardly swung for us and speaking to some of the local English players some balls swing really nicely and some don't swing.

"We have swapped the ball around and the side we are shining in this innings but we can't really get it to go away consistently."

Lord's does have its delights for visiting players whether or not there is action, as Mills explained: "The lunch is outstanding.

"When the rain came in this afternoon one or two bowlers might have gone back for a second dose of pudding."