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New Zealand 2008 - What to expect

International Tests England
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England expects, but to call this series a formality seems somewhat demeaning to a New Zealand side who proved a fair match for England this winter. With the England stalwarts struggling for runs in the nascent stages of the County Championship, this series could throw up some interesting talking points. However when the spotlight is on, the game is a different one, and at Lords batsmen perform more often than not. On pitches that tend to get flatter as time goes on, I would expect the 1st test to be a draw, to continue the pattern we have seen over recent years. The other two tests should play into England's hands a lot more, and I would expect them to be won. However underestimation of the Kiwi's could be costly, and it is a mistake I do not think the players will make. My prediction would be a close fought series with England emerging with a 2-0 win.

One thing however is for sure, the batsmen need runs. Strauss, Vaughan and Collingwood in particular have, rightly or wrongly, been coming under fire from all areas of the media, and each needs to make a big score sooner rather than later. Michael Vaughan can testify that you are only as good as your last series, and his 123 runs on the New Zealand tour was quite simply not good enough.
The bowlers are a different story altogether, rescuing us in the winter, and at times looking devastating. I think dropping Hoggard was an astute move by the selectors, as he has gone away, become match fit, and seems to be back to his best. Sidebottom is currently one of the most consistent cricketers in the world, and it beggars belief that this time last year he was hardly in the England equation. Monty is a different prospect at home than he is abroad, and is much more aggressive when he has the crowd on his side, and I expect Stuart Broad to come on leaps and bounds.

And so to New Zealand, who are very much a side in transition. Redmond, Marshall, Southee and Flynn who are all in line to start at Lords have only and handful of caps between them, and are on a steep learning curb. Whilst some of these players may contribute effectively, I think it will be the usual suspects who cause England the most problems. Brendon McCullum will provide fireworks in the middle order, and is my punt for the Kiwi leading run scorer, whilst we all know what Daniel Vettori is capable of with the ball.
The loss of Steven Fleming will undoubtedly hurt New Zealand. He was a dependable batsman, and a natural leader, and there will be a hole in the dressing-room to overcome. However, having watched the Kiwis in their warm up games, I think this squad is more than capable of leaving their mark on England, but whether they are good enough to take the series remains to be seen. Personally, I don't think they are.

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comment by davoau (U8141228)

posted May 14, 2008

Still a bit of a longshot,but yes the boards will really fire up if it does actually happen

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comment by bigmina (U9715167)

posted May 14, 2008

DL
For once i totally agree with you Anderson over rated and one good test everyone thinks he's a world beater. My question is though aside from perhaps not being fully match fit why did they have to drop Hoggy if you look at his figures he was quite economical in the first innings and had his usual dropped chances of his bowling o.k. it wasn't vintage Hoggard but being dropped after one so called bad test was a bit harsh. The problem i have with this situation is that it has just been announced that Hoggy is not in the team for tomorrow yet Anderson's last test he was carted all over the place that's another bad test for him yet he still gets picked why? This clearly cannot be a captain's pick as Vaughan and Hoggy are pals and Vaughan would knoe how well he has performed this season.

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comment by KPs_flamingo (U11243506)

posted May 14, 2008

Why put hoggard in the squad if they are not going to pick him? Should he not carry on playing county cricket instead?

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comment by SackBrown (U7329811)

posted May 14, 2008

What a stupid, prolonged assessment of a total mismatch. Let's be frank and admit NZ are an exceedingly poor side with barely one player of true international standard. Without Styris, Bond and Fleming they are complete no hopers and England will wipe the floor with them without even getting into 1st gear.

Nothing more needs to be said.

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comment by Zola25 (U10908280)

posted May 14, 2008

^^Thank god youre not in charge of England then!

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comment by U3238270

posted May 14, 2008

“This clearly cannot be a captain's pick as Vaughan and Hoggy are pals…”

Who says they are, bigmina? As Vaughan has some say in selection, Hoggard’s exclusion would suggest they are not. I can’t think of another reason for selecting Anderson ahead of him. The gulf in test class between them is huge and Hoggard is back in form.

It looks like it is not only our batting that we have deliberately weakened.

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comment by Zola25 (U10908280)

posted May 14, 2008

I think England are employing the old "never change a winning team" formula. I dont see why myself, and I would have hoggard back in now that he is fit.

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comment by OldRegret (U6882370)

posted May 14, 2008

If and it is a big if (for which the IPL wasn't good training)Ross Taylor can resist cross bat swipes, I expect he will score quite a few runs in the series. But he has to stop those slogs over midwicket or he will fall for set-ups.

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comment by jimmypopthered (U7034364)

posted May 14, 2008

I know Taylor is NZ big hope after averaging 50 against us, but he did poorly against the SA, and this isn't a home series.

If he can maintain his average against us at home then I'll rate him very highly, but I'm not convinced he can - yet! I think all this talk of a possible England slip up is fair enough, but if the England players do perform, then realistically it could be really embarissing for NZ. I hope it isn't though.

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comment by RugbySlayer (U11910797)

posted May 14, 2008

I agree mate, formality is not the right word to use nowadays against any international team. ok

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