England v New Zealand 1st Test

Captain Michael Vaughan said England needed to improve after being held to a draw by New Zealand in the first Test.

New Zealand were in trouble at 120-4 but Jacob Oram's century and more bad light kept the three-match series level going into the next Test on Friday.

"We knew we'd have to hold our chances, we created a few opportunities but weren't quite good enough," he said.

"But there were lots of good things and if we improve a little bit more then the next Test should be good."

England had a scent of victory when dynamic New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum retired hurt with his team 120-4 - only 78 ahead - with around 60 overs left.

"That was the moment where we created the chance to go on and win the game but it didn't go quite to hand," Vaughan said.

"Full credit to New Zealand, they played a good game but the real winner was probably the weather which spoilt a good cricket wicket."

"Certainly we would have liked more cricket as you can't force results in Test matches losing that many overs."

A major plus point for England was the revised top three, with openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook recording a century partnership, and Vaughan himself answering his critics with 106 back in his preferred number three role.

"They gave us a real good platform and looked very solid at the top of the order," the skipper observed.

"I found a decent rhythm and it's nice to get a few runs. That must continue."

England have called up Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett to their 12-man squad for the second Test at Old Trafford after Matthew Hoggard had his thumb broken by Steve Harmison in Yorkshire's Championship match against Durham.

Vaughan's team, having won four of their last five Tests in Manchester, will go into the match in confident mood.

"We usually play well there, it suits our style of play," he added.