worcestershire 2020 overseas signing hamish rutherford scored an excellent half century for new zealand ‘a’ on the opening day of the first class fixture with england at whangarei.
the opening batsman looked in fine form against what was effectively a full strength england attack of stuart broad, jofra archer, ben stokes, jack leach and sam curran.
rutherford, who is available to play in all formats for worcestershire next summer, went on to reach his half century off 92 balls.
it came from the first of successive boundaries against spinner leach.
he reached 59 before he was somewhat unfortunate to be dismissed in the first over after lunch when he feathered a ball down the legside from archer and was caught by keeper jos buttler.
rutherford, who spent two spells at New Road during the 2019 season, featured in a second wicket stand of 107 in 29 overs with glenn phillips.
phillips went onto make 116 and then 60 from skipper tom blundell, who opted to bat after winning the toss, lifted new zealand to 302-6 declared.
england reached 26-1 by the close.
