Over the last four days, Cricket Australia has been embroiled in the ball tampering controversy, which has led to the downfall of former captain Steve Smith, vice captain David Warner (both banned for 12 months) and Cameron Bancroft (banned for nine months). This means the ongoing New Zealand v England Test series isn’t getting the focus it deserves. New Zealand were amazing in Auckland, winning a Test in three days, and England were deadset awful, bowled out for 58 in the first session of the match, and then again struggling for penetration with the ball away from home.

Ahead of the first Test, members of the”big four”; Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult and Tim Southee needed to have an impact for the Black Caps to win. Three of the four had huge games, and were backed up by Henry Nicholls, Neil Wagner and Todd Astle to deliver a 1-0 series lead. Boult and Southee pitched the ball up in the first innings, catching the hapless English on the crease, and reaped the rewards. Kane Williamson put on a masterclass, and Henry Nicholls had arguably his breakthrough Test, before Neil Wagner and Todd Astle helped finish things off. It was an excellent victory considering the best part of two days were lost to rain.

Trent Boult was irresistible in Auckland

For England, it is now 12 Tests on the road where they have failed to win. When you’re 27/9 on the first morning, you may as well pack your bags and prepare for the next Test. However, consider this. In their last 11 Tests away from home, England have conceded big first innings totals, and have lost five times by an innings, with three coming after they’ve scored 400+ first up. The batsmen showed they can apply themselves a little more in the second innings, after a pathetic showing first up, but the bowling doesn’t inspire confidence. It is boring, bland, one-dimension and awful to watch. This is despite the fact they have two bowlers with over 900 Test wickets. They need a change in approach, and I’m hearing a few changes will be made for this Test.

Joe Root is loving life, thanks to the lack of focus on his side.

Key to a New Zealand win

As mentioned, New Zealand’s experienced players were superb in Auckland, which enabled others to contribute to the cause. England will be desperate to get their batting right, and the key for New Zealand would be to utilise the variety in their bowling attack to not allow England to settle.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee will look to swing the ball, targeting both inside and outside edges of England’s batsmen, before Neil Wagner enters and does what he does best; rushing the batsmen, especially with short-pitched bowling. Add Colin de Grandhomme who will keep the runs down, and Ish Sodhi, who should replace the injured Todd Astle, always in the game as a leg spinner. 

New Zealand have the variety to trouble England again, and if they click, there will only be one result.

Many people around the world are at university, scratching their heads as to how they’ll pass an assignment or exam. However, please spare a thought for me as I try think of a way England can win this Test.

England have so many problems at the moment. Alastair Cook needs to get in the runs, and at least two batsmen need to convert their starts. But even if England do score big runs, does the bowling have enough penetration to pick up 20 wickets? They didn’t manage it once in the Ashes, and again in Auckland, but they need to find a way here.

It starts with Broad and Anderson pitching the ball up a little further, in my opinion. At the moment, England seem to be obsessed with keeping the runs down, instead of having a wicket-taking mindset. Moeen Ali is not offering anything and should make way, and Mark Wood should play also. Series is on the line, the time is now.

For New Zealand, only a forced change with Todd Astle ruled out with injury. Ish Sodhi should replace him. After an excellent first Test performance, the challenge for New Zealand will be backing it up.

New Zealand XI: 1. Jeet Raval, 2. Tom Latham, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. BJ Watling (wk), 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Ish Sodhi, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Neil Wagner, 11. Trent Boult

For England, their approach needs to be changed. Moeen Ali will probably be picked, but he is under huge pressure to perform. He has done nothing in Test cricket in England’s Trans-Tasman tour, which has been disappointing. Pressure is also on Alastair Cook, who had a poor Test in Auckland, as well as England’s bowlers who struggled again. However, I see the changes being made in the bowling line up, with Liam Livingstone (who was good in the warm ups) or Jack Leash potentially replacing Moeen Ali, and Mark Wood for Craig Overton. Chris Woakes is also said to be under pressure. The changes England go for will also depend on whether Stokes can bowl. England desperately need variety.

England XI: 1.  Alastair Cook, 2. Mark Stoneman, 3. Joe Root (c), 4. Dawid Malan, 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7. Liam Livingstone, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Stuart Broad, 10. Mark Wood, 11. James Anderson.

• If New Zealand win or draw in Christchurch, this will be the first series win over England in the 21st century.

• England have lost 10 of their last 12 away Tests, with five defeats coming by an innings.

• Kane Williamson became New Zealand’s all-time leading centurion in Tests with 18, going past Martin Crowe.

England could finally make the changes they need, but it is too difficult to expect the world from newcomers. I expect England to be more competitive, but New Zealand look far more settled, and with the weather looking good in Christchurch, I back New Zealand take the series 2-0.

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