Hobart: Seamer James Anderson took four wickets as England restricted New Zealand to 205 for nine in the triangular series one-day international at Bellerive Oval here. 

England have an excellent chance of breaking their two-month drought in Australia, thriving in the absence of their nemesis to stifle the Kiwis, who began their innings keen to capitalise on England's fragile mindset.

There were ominous signs early for England, who were thrashed in the Ashes series, when the second ball was lofted for six by Kiwi opener Brendon McCullum and a horrible fielding error from Anderson turned a single into a four on the fourth ball.
 

However, Anderson went from villain to hero with a superb opening spell that put his side on top, before part-time seamer Paul Collingwood and spinner Monty Panesar strangled the New Zealand batsmen during the middle overs.

Anderson generated good pace, swung the ball both ways and claimed three vital wickets to rock the Black Caps, who had won the toss.

His first victim was McCullum, who fell for 16 when he was overly ambitious and lofted an attempted drive straight to England captain Michael Vaughan, who took three catches, at mid-off.

Anderson had New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming worried early and was finally rewarded when the struggling left-hander dragged a full delivery back onto his stumps off his pads on 12.

Young Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor was coming off 84 in 82 balls against Australia, but he was caught at cover by Vaughan for just one when he top-edged an attempted pull.

The Kiwis were 67-3 and never recovered, with none of their batsmen able to compile a meaningful innings.

Anderson's first spell netted 27-3 from his eight overs and he finished with 42-4, bowling Mark Gillespie with the final ball of the innings.

His early good work was ably backed by Collingwood and Panesar.

On a slow wicket, the Kiwis could not get the pair away in the middle overs as their innings lost all momentum.

Collingwood's nondescript medium pacers removed danger man Nathan Astle, who played on for 45, and veteran Craig McMillan (22).

When McMillan was caught and bowled by Collingwood, the Kiwis were 19-3 and slumped to 146-7 with all hope of an imposing total lost, although their tail-end batters added valuable runs.

Collingwood finished with 25-2 from his 10 overs, while Panesar bowled a probing line and length to claim 36-1.

Andrew Flintoff also impressed with 37-2 from 10 overs.