England’s cricketers will be returning from New Zealand on something of a high. Facing certain defeat in the final test, their middle and lower order batsmen clung on to secure a thrilling draw. Well done boys; pats on backs all round.
What we must not overlook here is the fact that England should have won this series comfortably. New Zealand are an average test team at best, sitting six places below England in the test match rankings, only ahead of Bangladesh. In their two test matches in South Africa in January, New Zealand were humiliated, losing both by an innings and being bowled out for scores as low as 45 and 121. This is not a quality test outfit. England are the second best team in the world. As such, heading to New Zealand for a test series should have held no fears. England should have dominated.
Instead, we are supposed to celebrate a desperate saving of the series to clutch a draw from the tour. This is not worthy of significant congratulation. England have been outclassed, outfought and outthought by New Zealand at times during this series. That is no cause for celebration.
What it does mean is that Andy Flower and Alistair Cook need to look closely at the side before back-to-back Ashes series, the pinnacle of English Cricket. The composition of the side that played in New Zealand will surely be rethought. This is by no means a crisis for the test team. They were outstanding before Christmas, claiming a sensational series win in India. New Zealand have stung England in this series and perhaps that is no bad thing.
What I would say however is that England look vulnerable. Go back to the last Ashes series and it never looked likely that they would lose to Australia, home or away. There was an aura about England that made them so feared. For me, that aura is weakening. Go back to the last tour down under and England has Strauss and Cook at the top of their game opening the batting. With the retirement of Strauss, Nick Compton has been given the role. While he has done well this series, it still looks a part of England side that can be attacked and exploited, more so than before. The same is true of the middle order. In 2010 Paul Collingwood was the first choice number 6 and he was a strong, determined figure, extremely difficult to get out and that provided a spine for England to rely on. Now, Joe Root has that role. He has enormous promise but is just a young kid, making his way in the game. He, like Compton is a man that opposition captains will want to target, to put under pressure and test his resolve at test level. The injury to Graeme Swann is a concern for England. Monty Panesar is a good spinner on pitches that assist him, but struggles on a non-turning surface. Swann can beat a man in the air and so England will be desperate to get him back fit for the New Zealand home series and then the Ashes. The final team selection consideration would appear to be a straight choice between the threatening but expensive Steven Finn and the more conservative Tim Bresnan. Bresnan will return from injury in time for the visit of Australia and England will be keen to have him back in their ranks.
No matter which eleven England pick, they will enter the Ashes as favourites. Australia seem to be a shambles at present and have just been slaughtered by India. However, England must approach that series with more intent and purpose than they have this. The preparation for the series was limited and the attitude for the series seemed wrong. It was as though England expected victory and so carried less attack than normal. Hopefully this is a wake up call for Flower and Cook to get their eye back on the ball and re-energise the test team. England must scrap for every run, every wicket and every victory against Australia and so need to step their game up from what we have seen in New Zealand.
It is clear that claiming a draw in Auckland was a fine achievement, showing heart, determination and skill. When set against the backdrop of the tour however, it is a small and insignificant achievement. England have underperformed in New Zealand. They have narrowly saved a series they should have dominated and that should not be forgotten. Lets hope this is the wake up call England need to step on the gas once more and attack this summer with all the passion and might in the world. 
