England v New Zealand - Test Series preview

Many, including yours truly, saw England’s start to 2012 against New Zealand, as a mandatory three – or two test stroll to begin this most important year of years, considering the double header of Ashes series coming after this and the Champions Trophy in the summer. The reality couldn’t have been more different. Had the rain stayed away, then Andy Flower’s men – ranked second in the world at this discipline – would have lost two tests heavily, with the first defeat in no doubt when the deluge arrived, and Kane Williamson’s stoic resistance looked to have gotten the better of England’s tired attack in the second test.

 

England’s bowlers weren’t the force they could be back in New Zealand, but the main worry came as a result of their dire batting. Alistair Cook, normally such a solid and reliable captain, had a poor overall series by his own high standards, like so many of his colleagues, struggling especially with frustrating lapses in concentration and over eagerness, along with the cloudy conditions that they should have been so comfortable with given that close replication that it bought towards county cricket.

Their batsmen were very poor, but the much famed bowing attack which is known for being able to tear through top orders given the right conditions, failed to get a response from the pitch for a prolonged time in the in the series, leaving England constantly vulnerable. Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Steven Finn were all disappointing by their high standards, but a return to home grounds – which are likely to stay extremely responsive for the majority of the two tests – should see an improvement, while Broad’s recovery from a heel injury ahead of a return towards a pair of venues where he boasts excellent records (39 in 9 tests at Lords, and 15 in 3 at Headingley) bodes well.

Admittedly the same conditions will suit Tent Bolt, Neil Wagner and Tim Southee, but a return to home soil for England, who have won 12 of their last 19 tests at home in the last three years, should do the trick if betting is to be believed. That said, in the correct score market an 0-0 draw appeals a lot, as it may not take much rain to prevent a pair of results and neither of the 1-0 or 2-0 correct scores actually make much appeal given the improvements that England will need to make based on their previous form.

Broad himself makes appeal for the top wicket taking honours at 3/1 – he took 11 wickets for England in New Zealand when the bowlers were being well held, more than anyone else was able to do – and England make appeal for the first test at their homeground of Lord’s with the same conditions that had seen them become the number 1 test side in the world.

Advice – 1^st test

3 pts England (4/5 Stan James)

Advice – series

1 pt England 0-0 New Zealand (6/1 general)

1 pt Stuart Broad top wicket taker (3/1 general)