A defiant 101 from Jacob Oram guided New Zealand to a draw against England in the first Test at Lord's.

The fifth stalemate in a row at the home of cricket since 2006 was confirmed shortly after 5pm, with the Kiwis 269 for six when play was called off early for bad light.

Giant left-hander Oram came to the crease at 120 for four, 78 runs ahead, with England scenting the chance of victory after Brendon McCullum retired hurt.

But Oram spanked a 120-ball century to put New Zealand out of range. He was eventually bowled by Ryan Sidebottom in the third over with the second new ball.

McCullum resumed his innings after Oram's departure, having been a casualty of England's efforts to force victory, only to fall to James Anderson for 24 before stumps were drawn.

Wicketkeeper McCullum was earlier taken for an X-ray after being struck a vicious blow on his forearm from a short ball by Stuart Broad shortly after lunch.

England's pacemen felt they missed a trick by not bouncing McCullum enough in the first innings and Broad produced a delivery which gave the batsman no room for manoeuvre.

The match always looked likely to end in a draw when 153.2 overs were lost to rain and bad light on the first three days.

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