First test review

Sorry for lack of blogs over the weekend the usual busy weekends preventing me from blogging. Starting with a quick review of the first test between England and New Zealand today.

It was not the way the England team thought they would kick of this fantastic year of test cricket especially against a much weaker opposition. However it was typical England they have been slow starters in all of their first test matches in recent tours. The last three India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have all been awful first days and now you can add New Zealand to that list.

I thought they got the team wrong personally as I mentioned last week I would have taken five bowlers and even more so when Swann was ruled out just before the test match. England's bowling is currently not strong enough to knock over an opposition twice and so therefore needs that quality fifth bowler and for me it would be Onions.

Having said that I would have played him in replace of Nick Compton who scored a vital century in the second innings to prevent defeat. This innings was a really important knock on a pitch that did not allow him to be his fluent best. It does mean he will bat out the series as the opener and probably the first test against the same opposition at home. Captain Cook stepped up in the second innings with a century of his own after a very poor shot in the first innings. I thought Trott and Bell actually looked in very good touch and on a pitch where they can express themselves a bit more I will expect a lot of runs from them. They both look good for at least a century in the series. KP is KP and you get these type of tests from him. Root was the worry for me he did not look as confident and as assure of himself as he did in India but it is just one game and he will get another chance.

The bowling attack only got one opportunity and was usual James Anderson was the pick of the bowlers. The pitch did not suit the England bowling attacking not offering a lot of assistance or pace. However I still have fears about Finn he bowls too many boundary balls for me, that is not saying he is not dangerous but I want to see him have more consistence in applying pressure. Broad looks a long way from his best but it was always going to be slow journey back and Monty did a job. He is defiantly going to get a lot of overs if England persist with this 4 man attack.

The next test is just days away and England need to make massive improvements. I predict no changes but a change in performance and result. England win the second test.