CRICKET: Inept England collapse to another dispiriting loss.

Byline: MYLES HODGSON

ENGLAND'S uncertain and confused one-day strategies were ruthlessly exposed for the second time in two days with New Zealand comprehensively outplaying them to complete an emphatic seven wicket victory at the Riverside.

Humbled by the West Indies at Nottingham on Sunday when they were dismissed for 147 - the lowest first innings total ever during a one-day international at Trent Bridge -even the staunchest critics of England's chop and change one-day policy could not have imagined a worse performance.

But they exceeded their Nottingham humiliation by some margin yesterday by losing in just 17.2 overs of New Zealand's reply in front of a capacity 14,000 North East crowd desperate to witness local heroes Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison guide England to a morale-boosting victory.

Put into bat in conditions favourable to seam bowling England slumped to 101 all out, their sixth lowest total in history,after completely failing to adapt their tactics to the conditions.

All the top five got out to aggressive shots despite conditions favouring New Zealand's attack and although Anthony McGrath occupied the crease for 53 defiant minutes,it took a face-saving 25 run last wicket stand between Harmison and James Anderson to guide England beyond their previous lowest total of 86 recorded against Australia at Old Trafford three years ago.

Yesterday's defeat leaves England facing the prospect of missing out on the NatWest Series final on July 10 at Lord's for only the second time in the five seasons the annual triangular tournament has been staged in this country. They will need to win their remaining three matches to stand a realistic chance of qualification.

Just like Nottingham two days previously,England never recov-ered from the early loss of both openers after a bright start with Marcus Trescothick seizing on the inexperience of left-arm seamer James Franklin early on.

But Franklin, who was plucked from the Lancashire League to play in the third Test defeat at Trent Bridge, rewardedNew Zealand for their faith by claiming a five-wicket haul.

Having made an encouraging start,Trescothick was bowled by all-rounder Jacob Oram charging down the pitch and captain Michael Vaughan fell seven balls later when his off-stump was knocked back as he attempted to drive a Franklin inswinger.

Without the influential pres-ence of Andrew Flintoff in the middle order,England should have attempted a more cautious approach. But Geraint Jones chopped onto his stumps attempting to cut Oram,Collingwood was caught behind driving at a wide delivery and Andrew Strauss hooked Franklin to long leg.

Franklin was perhaps unlucky not to claim a hat-trick with his loud appeal for lbw against Darren Gough denied after he captured Ian Blackwell and Ashley Giles with the two previous deliveries.

It took the determination of Harmison and Anderson to finally take England past their worst previous total and into three figures with every run being cheered by a crowd desperate to take consolation from the inept display.

Harmison had already registered a career best score with the bat,an unbeaten 13,but it was his exploits with the ball that the Durham crowd came to witness and he did not disappoint.

Regularly exceeding speeds of 90mph,Harmison showed the local crowd just what an improved performer he has become at international level with a seven-over spell which earned him figures of 3-38,including a burst of three wickets for 10 runs in eight balls.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming,perhaps trying to finish the game quickly because of the fear of rain clouds closing in, was the first to fall when his upper cut was taken by Gough at third man.

Fellow opener Nathan Astle fell four balls later when he was adjudged leg before padding up and Hamish Marshall fell in Harmison's next over with a brute of a delivery which lifted sharply and forced him to fend off to leg gully.

But even with the loss of those three quick wickets,New Zealand's victory charge was merely delayed, with the emphatic triumph being completed in only 82 minutes of play.

CAPTION(S):

England's SteveHarmison hits out career best score with the bat, an unbeaten 13 yesterday