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 | |  Friday, 29 March, 2002, 09:37 GMT Odds against New Zealand  Matthew Hoggard has impressed for England New Zealand broadcaster Bryan Waddle believes current form suggests England will clinch the series in Auckland. New Zealand have not recorded a home series win over England for 19 years. Squaring the current series is the height of their ambitions this time, but, going into the final game at Eden Park, there is little evidence to suggest they will do so. While New Zealand's selection for the third Test should not be seen as desperation, the home team has been forced to search for players who can provide the spark they need to achieve an unlikely goal. Painful though it is for New Zealand supporters to acknowledge, England have played the better cricket and that on the back of a week filled with sadness. Their batting has been confident and positive, the bowling has been accurate, demanding and dangerous, and even in the field, where New Zealand had a decisive advantage in the one-dayers, they've lost the sharpness and accuracy which created pressure. Experience has been the key. In Caddick, Hoggard and Flintoff, England has a bowling trio that knows how to use the new ball. New Zealand's attack has energy and enthusiasm, but that has come a distant second in this series.
Experience has also been the telling difference in the top order batting. Hussain, Thorpe, Trescothick and Butcher fronted up for England in Wellington, while New Zealand's top order has not yet delivered when runs have really been needed. Those are issues New Zealand has to address in Auckland if they seriously want to grab a series equaling win. There are no pleasant memories, however, of last year's Test at Eden Park when they suffered a humiliating loss to Pakistan. The new portable pitch is firm, amply covered in lush green grass, suggesting it may be similar to the wicket for the first Test at Jade Stadium. New Zealand must win and to do that they need to be positive and aggressive and the inclusion of one-day specialist Andre Adams is a sign they intend to pursue that policy.
Adams, one-day veteran Chris Harris and Darryl Tuffey should revitalise a team that has looked flat and played without the keen edge that had Australia under pressure before Christmas. Vincent, despite a century on Test debut, is not a convincing option as opening partner for the consistent Richardson, but a pair of half centuries in Wellington will have given him greater confidence. It is Fleming, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris and Nathan Astle, however, who must take responsibility for New Zealand's batting after some modest totals. New Zealand have had chances, but have made little from them, playing catch-up while England prosper. History doesn't support hopes of a New Zealand victory, neither do the bookies, who have England as clear favourites to win the series. That doesn't mean the Black Caps can't win, but it'll take a massive reversal to achieve it. Bryan Waddle will be commentating on the second Test for Test Match Special on BBC Radio Four LW, 5Live Sports Extra on digital radio and channel 907 on digital TV. | |
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