England target new boys
England are hoping to exploit the anxiety and nervousness of New Zealand’s two debutants as they attempt to claim an early advantage in the final Test.
The tourists hold the momentum after coming back to level the series with a 126-run triumph at Wellington to set up the decider at McLean Park over the next five days.
But they will be hoping to take further advantage of two costly injury blows to their opponents’ line-up, which has deprived them of seamer Kyle Mills and all-rounder Jacob Oram and prompted them to give debuts to Grant Elliott and Tim Southee.
It is a gamble on a flat-looking wicket and England captain Michael Vaughan is hoping his side can take advantage as they set their sights on their first series win since the start of last summer.
“They’ll no doubt be very nervous, but we’ll certainly respect them,” said Vaughan. “If there’s an opportunity where we can get on top of any bowler, we’ll try and take that.
“We always try and look to start the game very well and try and get ahead on day one and that’s exactly what we’re going to try and do. It is an opportunity for us but New Zealand are a canny team and play good, street-wise cricket so it will still be a tough Test match.”
England’s only experience of 19-year-old seamer Southee - who claimed player of the tournament at the recent Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia - came during the two Twenty20 internationals at the start of the tour when he did well.
South African-born all-rounder Elliott, who qualified for New Zealand under residence criteria at the end of last year, featured against England for a Selection XI in the tourists’ final warm-up match in Dunedin and impressed as a middle-order batsman and swing bowler.
Paul Collingwood receives treatment on his bruised left calf in Napier © Getty ImagesBuy this photo“Grant Elliott played against us in Dunedin so we had a look at him there, but Southee we haven’t seen too much of apart from the Twenty20 games,” said Vaughan.
“He’s obviously got a lot of potential but they will be nervous going into their first games and if there’s any chance we can make the most of that, we’ll try and do that.
“They are without two experienced players and they will miss them but we’ve just got to try and come out and play a good game and try and get on top of New Zealand as quickly as we can and continue where we left off in Wellington.”
England are expected to name an unchanged side, but have delayed announcing it while they make late injury checks on all-rounder Paul Collingwood and seamer James Anderson.
Collingwood has a bruised left calf and was sent for a precautionary scan on Friday which came back all clear. He is expected to be fit enough to take his place in the tourists’ top order.
Anderson suffered an injury to his left ankle playing football on the fourth evening of the previous Test and has been having treatment ever since, but he bowled at a good pace in the nets and is expected to retain his place.
Both are expected to be given a thorough workout on another batsman-friendly wicket, although Vaughan is still expecting a positive result from two sides who are both desperate to seal a series triumph.
“Five days is a long time,” added Vaughan. “I keep hearing people saying the game’s already a draw but it’s five days, 450 overs and things can happen.
“The lads said that during the one-dayers it had pace in the wicket and if you’ve got pace snicks will carry, so you can create opportunities.”
Michael Vaughan has targeted New Zealand's two debutants
