New Zealand VS England Test Series Preview

  

First Day of play from the First Test was completely washed out

This three match series in New Zealand begins a stretch of five consecutive matches between these two countries. A two match series will be played in England in May. For England, there is a sense that these matches represent nothing but Ashes preparation. They will still have to be on their game though in this series, as New Zealand are a dangerous side at home.

In regards to recent form, New Zealand were smashed in South Africa 2-0 and would be hoping for a massive improvement on that performance. Before that they did manage to draw the series in Sri Lanka 1-1. England meanwhile have come to New Zealand on the back of their tour to India. In the test series over there, England proved victorious coming away with the spoils 2-1. Compare this to Australia's current struggles and you can see just how big an achievement that series win is.

The last tests played between the sides was nearly five years ago in England where the home side prevailed 2-0 in a 3 match series. The last series in New Zealand was played in March 2008 which resulted in England winning 2-1. In the last 9 tests between the countries over a span of around 9 years, England have won 7, New Zealand 1 and there has been 1 draw. New Zealand will be hoping to improve on that record and win a test match in this series.

England did not have the best preparation as they lost their only tour game to a New Zealand XI by 3 wickets. In a closely fought contest, the New Zealand XI chased down the 333 target on the back of BJ Watling's 89*. For England Ian Bell impressed 158 in the first innings, while Watling was the star for the Kiwi side also scoring 66* in the first innings.

Graeme Swann did play in the first class match, but has just decided to fly to Minnesota for surgery on his troublesome elbow. Although he will be missed in this series, in the grand scheme of things with two Ashes series' and a Champions Trophy this year it really was a no-brainer.

New Zealand have decided to give a debut to mature left-arm orthodox Bruce Martin, while Monty Panesar will play in place of Swann.

Full Squads for the tour:
New Zealand (1st Test): B.McCullum (c), T.Boult, D.Brownlie, I.Butler, P.Fulton, T.Latham, B.Martin, H.Rutherford, T.Southee, R.Taylor, N.Wagner, BJ Watling, K.Williamson

England: A.Cook (c), J.Anderson, J.Bairstow, I.Bell, S.Broad, N.Compton, S. Finn, G.Onions, M.Panesar, K.Pietersen, M.Prior, J.Root, J.Tredwell, J.Trott, C.Woakes

Test Series Fixtures
6th March - 10th March: Test #1 @ University Oval, Dunedin
14th March - 18th March: Test #2 @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington
22nd March - 26th March: Test #3 @ Eden Park, Auckland

My prediction: England 2-1