International Cricket: From the Black Cap Coach's desk: England tour week 2   21 May 2015

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It’s finally here. We are on the day of the first Test at Lord’s, and there is huge excitement and anticipation in the BLACKCAPS squad leading into this Investec Test Series against England.

It has been a great few days here in London and you could feel the energy in the group lift quite a few notches when skipper Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson joined the team.

This is a special New Zealand Test team who have become great mates over the past few years. There is no doubt that playing a Test match at Lord’s is a highlight of any cricketer’s career. There have been some great cricketers in the history of our game who have never played here, so we know it is a real privilege.

The history and tradition of the Marylebone Cricket Club – where the game was first played back in 1787 – is all around you and makes the experience of playing here extra special. Walking through the Long Room, the Members wearing their bacon and egg ties, sitting out on the balcony of the team dressing room, having lunch in the members' lounge… there are a number of experiences that make being at Lord’s unlike anywhere else in the world.

Because of that history and tradition, and the nuances of the famous Lord’s Slope, the first Test here is a little more intimidating than at other venues in international cricket. Experience at Lord’s is a big factor, and we have eight out of our current squad who played in the 2013 series, and will be much better for that experience. We competed for long periods of that Test two years ago at Lord’s, and were ultimately undone by a fine spell of bowling from Stuart Broad. I am confident that this side, after going undefeated in the past six Test series all around the world, will handle a situation like that better this time.

There is no doubt that this team has been one of the toughest to pick for Brendon and myself. There have been two places – the opening batsmen and the third seam bowler – that have been the most hotly contested positions. Our three seamers Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner all have good cases to start at Lord’s. Wags has been a consistent performer for the BLACKCAPS Test side over the past 18 months, Doug played in the last Test in New Zealand and did a good job for us, and Henners was very impressive when he was called up during the Cricket World Cup as he looks to make his Test debut.

It’s a tough call. I am sure whoever is selected will do a job for us but you also feel for the guys who miss out because you know they are all giving it everything to be out there. In the opening batsmen ranks, we have three quality players in incumbents Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham and Martin Guptill going for two places. Martin’s display against Worcestershire, where he scored 150 in comfortable fashion, was pretty comprehensive. I have been impressed by his determination to get back into this side and he has carried on his form from the World Cup where he was the leading runs scorer.

The two warm up games against Somerset and Worcestershire have been great for the side and given us exactly what we needed ahead of this Test series which we expect to be highly competitive. The come from behind win at New Road was a great sign of character. To take the final six wickets for only 22 runs to get home was impressive and another sign that this team never gives up. That never-say-die attitude is what this team is built upon. Of course we can never guarantee we will win, England are a formidable opponent in their conditions – but we will give it our all for New Zealand.  In our history we have only won four Tests in England – but this side has shown they are up for the challenge of trying to rewrite history.

Week 1 Blog

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