Martin on a mission

Chris Martin is relishing the chance to prove England fans wrong © Getty Images

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New Zealand hope to take advantage of exaggerated English expectation when the npower Test series begins at Lord’s on Thursday.

A lot was made of England underestimating the Kiwis in the recent away series but fast bowler Chris Martin believes it is the public anticipation of a comfortable victory that could prove problematic to the home side.

No team in world cricket punches above their weight so effectively as the Black Caps, and Martin is keen for that trend to continue over the coming weeks.

“There is a lot of hype that they should stamp on us and destroy us,” Martin said.

“So that is probably something - if they are not doing that, that makes them feel the pressure a bit more. That will do us a favour in some ways, so that’s good.”

Despite New Zealand lacking former spearhead Shane Bond, England struggled against the new ball in every Test of the 2-1 series victory.

Martin took the mantle of leading man in Bond’s Indian Cricket League-enforced absence but his 11 series wickets probably did not do him justice.

Of the England batsmen, Kevin Pietersen and Tim Ambrose played with the greatest fluency as the rest of the batsmen opted for crease occupation as a priority.

“Whether they were trying to run us into the ground or not, I am not sure,” said Martin.

“I know that bowling to Pietersen I was expecting a little bit more fireworks at times. I have seen him do that against the Australians and other sides around the world.

Martin paid tribute to Aaron Redmond's adhesive qualities at the top of the Kiwis' order

“But they are a steady side and on their day they can be a very good side.

“Over the years New Zealand and England have had some pretty good battles, especially over here, so I am looking forward to it.”

England won the corresponding series 3-0 in 2004, a victory which proved a springboard for a summer whitewash, although they had to chase down some large fourth-innings totals to do so.

Mark Richardson provided top-order glue for that New Zealand vintage, hitting a hundred at Lord’s, and they have discovered a clone on this tour.

“The guy who has added a little bit more confidence to the top order is Aaron Redmond,” said Martin.

“Over the years we had Mark Richardson, who would bat 130 balls, whatever it was, blunt the attack and just be out there being a menace.

“Aaron is pretty much going down that line as well. He wants to bat time and stay out there.

“That helps our middle order come in at a time when the ball is a bit softer and a bit older.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori appears to be winning his fitness battle, having had two stitches in his spinning finger last week.

The left-arm spinner bowled for the second day in succession without excessive discomfort, and looks set to feature in the first Test.