Cricket365

First Test Preview: England Versus NZ

Wednesday 14th May 2008

England's first npower Test in 2008 will be their fourteenth consecutive outing without Andrew Flintoff.

The all-rounder strained a side on Saturday, possibly laughing at the selectors' private revelation that he would face New Zealand as one of only four bowlers.

Flintoff used to take around 25% of the burden as a younger player enjoying regular Test cricket in a five-man attack, and has delivered only a handful of overs in Lancashire colours this season.

His latest setback has nothing to do with the suspect left ankle, or his form in those few overs, but plenty to do with the meaning of true match fitness when your body works as hard as the Lancastrian's.

In truth he will take the news badly as whatever his faults Flintoff does not do things by halves; nevertheless a realistic target is, as perhaps it always was, the series against South Africa in July.

Matthew Hoggard was instead named in Sunday's official 12-man squad but will carry the drinks even though he has both taken more first-class wickets this season (13-10) and scored more runs (59-23) than Flintoff.

Monty Panesar is all but indispensible under the four-man bowling strategy and James Anderson's greater swing earns a reprieve in an unchanged team from the series decider at Napier over Easter weekend.

That success has put a smile back on English faces though it was a scratchy result with Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad and Tim Ambrose all strengthening their hand but little else to cheer - particularly in the top six.

Indeed, many of us would say England have gone backwards in replacing the opening pair of Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan (partnership average: 44.00) with that of Cook and Andrew Strauss (35.22).

Ian Bell too often failed to capitalise on his great touch over the winter and needs a defining innings anyway he can get one, but Kevin Pietersen should be in for a strong summer after a magnificent ton at Napier - he scored centuries on both outings at Lord's last summer and has his favourite opposition waiting in the wings.

Paul Collingwood completes the picture following cortisone injections to his shoulder; England have decided not to call up cover. In the event of a relapse Owais Shah would be furious to be leapfrogged again but Ravi Bopara might sneak in as a like-for-like 'fourth-and-a-halfth' bowler.

New Zealand would love to name an unchanged XI as it would mean that Stephen Fleming were still available but their former captain is enjoying semi-retirement with the Chennai Super Kings.

The good news for the tourists is that his successor, and New Zealand's own talismanic bowling all-rounder, Daniel Vetorri, has recovered from an injured finger.

The young quick bowler Tim Southee impressed on debut in Napier and will carry heavy hopes here; Chris Martin spearheads the attack again and Kyle Mills returns from injury at the expense of Jeetan Patel, who, though quietly impressive again at McLean Park, will struggle to get a game as a second spinner in England in May.

Where England's batting six is set in stone, New Zealand's is a mystery stew following Fleming's departure.

Brendan McCullum, the man the hosts fear most, may move up a batting order that is now fronted by Aaron Redmond, who is toiling under the worthy title 'the new Mark Richardson'.

The suitably stoic Redmond and Jamie How have exceeded admittedly modest expectations among Black Caps fans so far on tour, but Ross Taylor has not looked the player England faced in Hamilton, and James Marshall, Daniel Flynn and Jacob Oram could use more time in the middle.

New Zealand's 'second half' - i.e. Oram, McCullum, Vettori, Southee, Mills, Martin - bears comparison with England and other Test nations.

It is in the top halves that the series will be decided.

New Zealand's dolly mixtures have it all to do, but some among England's preening high-earners are under the greater pressure.

Key Players

England: Ian Bell. England should win the series, and Pietersen and Sidebottom will do well. This is in many ways a trial for the colossal challenge of South Africa. Peter Moores is looking for big contributions from some of the lesser-achievers: Vaughan, Collingwood and Bell in particular, and we can't all be a captain.

New Zealand: Aaron Redmond. Gosh, Richardson was dire to watch at times but effective too - and finished with a higher Test average than any current England batsman but Pietersen. A repeat is a huge ask, but would put the visitors in serious contention.

Prediction

Martin has again criticised the hosts' presumptuous attitude, labelling them "just a steady side". But while England often gets ahead of itself on matters of sport as elsewhere, they won the series while playing poorly in March. Back on home soil with lessons learned, anything other than a resounding home success would be a massive disappointment while representing a far greater Kiwi achievement than the vaunted 1999 success.

Last Five Head-to-Head Results

2008: Third Test: England won by 121 runs at McLean Park, Napier.
2008: Second Test: England won by 126 runs at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
2008: First Test: New Zealand won by 189 runs at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
2004: Third Test: England won by 4 wickets at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
2004: Second Test: England won by 9 wickets at Headingley, Leeds.

Teams

England: Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar, James Anderson.

New Zealand (Likely): Jamie How, Aaron Redmond, James Marshall, Ross Taylor, Brendan McCullum, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin.

Dates: 15-19 May - 11:00-13:00 local time (BST) 13.40-15.40 local time (BST) 16.00-18.00 local time (BST).

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle.
Umpires: Simon Taufel and Steve Bucknor.

Peter May