Black Caps touch down in the UK looking to knock off hosts in two-Test series
England will be tricky for NZ: Craig
England will be “very, very tricky” to beat in their home conditions, according to New Zealand spinner Mark Craig.
While England are still in the thick of their final Test against the West Indies in Barbados, many of the Black Caps squad members have touched down in the United Kingdom ahead of their two-Test series.
New Zealand are still riding the wave of their maiden World Cup final appearance, but will now turn their eye to the longest form of the game, where they sit fifth in the ICC Test rankings behind England at No.4.
“I know England are going to be very, very tricky to beat over there in their home conditions, so we’re going to have to be on point to beat them,” Craig said.
“We’re obviously going over there to win, so we’re just doing what we need to make that happen.
“All the boys are a bit sick of playing in the nets and are looking forward to getting out in the middle against the county sides, building up to the first Test at Lord’s.”
After a storming debut against the West Indies in Kingston last year, where he took eight wickets, Craig has established himself as the Black Caps’ first choice Test spinner.
Image Id: ~/media/8C57D6EE6F114B9BA5C0C6CE0E625E40Mark Craig has enjoyed a lot of success since his debut // Getty Images
He said he was confident he could keep the momentum going in conditions traditionally more conducive to seam bowling.
“It’s a similar role to playing at Hagley and the two Tests against Sri Lanka we played (in New Zealand),” Craig said.
“It’s a supporting role, about tying up and end for the big boys running down the other end.
“The Duke ball does make a difference for me, it’s obviously a lot different to the ones we use here at home. Luckily I had a crack over there last year playing some county stuff, so I’m a lot more used to bowling with them now.
“Tim (Southee) and Trent (Boult) could swing anything, they could swing a square ball.”
A New Zealand XI will play Somerset in a warm-up match on May 8 ahead of the first Test at Lord’s on May 21.