By Mark Richardson New Zealand batsman in Canterbury

Every time I've come to England in the past it has coincided with a great summer weather-wise, so I guess the law of averages meant things were likely to be different this time.

Yours truly: Three useful knocks so far but still looking for a big score

Rain, rain and then a bit more rain has been the story of the early part of our tour.

Everyone took some time off to freshen up following a home series against South African home series; we even refrained from having an extensive pre-tour camp on the premise that we would get plenty of practice over here.

In retrospect, the only thing we got right was to include warm clothes and waterproof jackets in the team issue.

That said, I take my hat off to the ground staff at the venues we have visited so far.

The game versus the PCA Masters at Shenley was very much a laid-back exhibition affair - I even got a bowl - and it did give us a chance to get outside after being cooped up in the indoor nets at Lord's.

The tour proper was to start against British Universities at Cambridge.

Unfortunately, it hosed down and we didn't make it to the middle until the third and final day, by which time we were desperate for some cricket.

Expecting a green, dicey wicket what we got was a placid track.

Training indoors can drive you mad

The students put some honest work in with the ball, providing a good first up test for our top order and Nathan Astle got a well made 70 odd not out in the session of play possible before the rain returned.

Next stop was Worcester.

Build a ground next to a river in England and you are asking for trouble.

However, the Worcestershire groundstaff must be well versed in flood relief as they were able to turn a ground that was apparently underwater a few days earlier into a more than playable surface and produce a wicket that allowed personal scores of 103 (Jacob Oram) and 204 (Graeme Hick).

In New Zealand, under the same weather conditions, those scores would more likely have been team totals.

It is hard to say where we are form-wise at the moment.

Coach John Bracewell knows all about English conditions

We have avoided over-training indoors because that can drive you mad, but the weather has dictated no outdoors training.

Most of the batters have had some time in the middle and with the limited play available this has been the priority.

I'd say, however, that our bowlers are little short of a gallop and it showed in the game against Worcestershire.

On a personal note, I've been looking forward to this tour for quite some time.

We've all played league or county cricket here before - for me, that was at Brighton & Hove and later Datchet - and it is good to catch up with old friends.

Right now, I'm focused on the chance to play a Test at Lord's.

Although I've been a regular in the side for some time, there is plenty of competition for places. No-one is safe.