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CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Thursday (AFP) - Matthew Hoggard surpassed the great Fred Trueman to put England on the road to victory in the opening cricket Test against New Zealand at Jade Stadium here Thursday.

He bettered his illustrious fellow Yorkshireman to produce the best performance by an English fast bowler in New Zealand, claiming 7-63 to skittle the Kiwis for 147 and seize an 81-run innings lead.

By stumps on the second day, England had pushed the lead out to 144 runs at 63 for two with Mark Butcher not out 22 and first innings centurion Nasser Hussain on six.

Forty years ago Trueman captured 7-75 to terrorise the Kiwis on this ground -- on Thursday it was 25-year-old Hoggard's turn.

Given the flurry of 22 wickets over the first two days' play and barring a weather intervention, the match is expected to be over well inside five days.

Yorkshire's leading bowler Darren Gough may not be playing in the current series, but Hoggard signalled a coming of age in the England team with his stout-hearted display, bowling with verve and swing to destroy the Kiwis.

"This winter has been a big test for me and a big chance for me to prove myself," said Hoggard.

"Obviously with the absence of Darren Gough, especially in India where the conditions were a lot tougher than here and then again when you come to a place like this with a helpful wicket, you have got the pressure on you to get the wickets.

"It's just one performance at the moment, I've got to put a few more performances under my belt before I can be recognised as a top-class bowler, hopefully I can keep on performing."

Hoggard toiled unchanged for 17 overs Thursday to take his first five wickets and then came back to finish off the Kiwis with two more wickets.

"My body was beginning to feel it, if you're bowling well and the wicket is helpful, it's surprising how tired you don't get," he said.

Hoggard said it was skipper Hussain's decision to finally terminate his marathon spell.

With the completion of each over, Hoggard would trot down to the fence to take up his fielding position to great acclaim from the travelling "Barmy Army" England fans.

Asked about his animated response to the fans, Hoggard said: "They seem to think I'm a monkey, so I was playing them at their own game."

Hoggard had the honour of leading the England team from the field after taking the wicket of last Kiwi batsman Ian Butler just minutes before the tea interval.

"It's a nice feeling to be told to lead the guys off and hopefully I can do it again in my career, but if it doesn't it's going to be a fond memory," he said.

Hoggard, playing in only his sixth Test, was well supported by the experienced Andy Caddick, who wrecked New Zealand's lingering hopes of a late-order resurgence with three key wickets in five balls.

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