Finger pointing won't be an option in the England dressing room after today's four-wicket loss to New Zealand in the first One-Day International of the National Bank Series, in Christchurch.

Nasser - batting unit needs to work Photo CricInfo

But, England captain Nasser Hussain said it was about time someone put their hand up and claimed ownership of the marshalling role to control the side's middle-order which has been collapsing too many times for comfort.

The same happened in Christchurch as eight wickets fell for 40 runs.

"At 25 overs we were well over the game plan but we have to take responsibility for the batting unit.

"We're certainly not going to sit in our dressing room and start pointing the fingers at each other but it's there for everyone to see, we've done it two or three times now. We've just collapsed really, from a strong position.

"We were well ahead of the game, well ahead of the targets. Word going around the dressing room was that 250 would be a good score because chasing under lights is difficult."

New Zealand deserved credit for bowling and fielding very well but England were going to have to look at themselves.

"Generally we are learning and that is one area we've not learnt at the moment, so there's no excuses. It will take time," Hussain said.

He did wonder too, if his bowlers were getting a little giddy at the sight of the bounce and the ball going through on the wickets they have struck so far in New Zealand.

This is in marked contrast to wickets teams have been used to in the past, and is reflective of the efforts that have gone into improving pitches by New Zealand Cricket and the Associations.

"I don't think we've changed the way we're bowling because of the bouncer rule. I think people have been pulled a bit off their natural length. I thought we bowled a little bit short tonight, I think people got a little bit carried away with the bounce," he said.

Hussain refused to be drawn into discussion on whether the selection of Darren Gough, who took four wickets for 44 in the game, including four wickets in two overs, should be reconsidered for the Test side.

Gough was only named in the one-day side and is scheduled to return home at the end of the one-day series.

Hussain said that was a contractural matter and a question that needed to be directed at the chairman of selectors, not him.

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