Second Test Preview
England will come into this game full of confidence after their 172 run win over New Zealand at the Oval. New Zealand will hope to get back into the series and hope to use Shane Bond to their advantage on a fast pitch.
Shane Bond could be dangerous on the Lord's pitch
England will be happy after a good bowling display and an excellent second innings. Newcomer Mal Loye was a disappointment, as well as Ryan Sidebottom who failed to take a wicket in both innings’. Michael Vaughan will be on top form after 161 in his last innings, and Cook, Bell and Pietersen also reached milestones.
Another good point for England is the flying return of Stephen Harmison and Matthew Hoggard, two men that have disappointed as of late but they found their groove and took big wickets with the new ball.
The weather in South London is typical of early summer in England, clouds are dotted around, bringing rain in patches, but both sides will hope that the sun will shine over Lord’s but they will keep a close eye on the weather as the test match progresses.
From a New Zealand point of view they will hope to put a big defeat behind them and move on to Lord’s focused on drawing this test series. Good points include half centuries from Hamish Marshall, Lou Vincent and Brendon McCullum. Bad points include a low 1st innings of 160 and bad bowling from Martin and Bond letting England to a massive score of 519 dec.
Michael Vaughan looked in good nick
But New Zealand did get a big enough second innings total and will hope to replicate the first and last innings performance.
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