We were promised unpredictable weather for the second Test in Wellington and we certainly got it, with threatening rain clouds skating over the ground at regular intervals.

The wind blew up to 30 knots at times, which was fabulous for the yachts participating in the BT Global Challenge, but if you were bowling into it, it was an entirely different kettle of fish.

Our bowlers did admirably and, although we had a number of memorable performances, the highlight of the game for me was when Robert Croft and Phil Tufnell bowled in tandem and strangled the life out of the New Zealand batsmen on that fourth day afternoon.

It is fair to say that Wellington has been good for us. The crews from the yachts invited us on to the boats and we met up in the evening and swapped stories.

We were relaxed for the game after our reversals in Wanganui, and I stand by what I said then - that that result would have no bearing on the Wellington Test.

We played strong, solid cricket throughout, apart from a spell in the field on the third day when I felt we lacked intensity. Vibrancy is another word I will keep throwing at the team and to use a phrase from the former Aussie captain, Ian Chapple: ``You have to poke the opposition in the chest all the time.'' While we were relaxed and businesslike, New Zealand were having a difficult time with rumours of indiscipline among their players. Press statements came thick and fast, and it proved to be a major distraction to their team.

We capitalised on this, and our partnerships in batting and bowling were impressive. Our catching around the bat was of the very highest order. Both spinners were superb, with Croft the Welshman always at the heart of things.

Graham Thorpe registered another century, Andy Caddick will bowl worse and take five wickets, but the star of the show was magnificent. Pace, bounce, and menace, for all to see.

Gough and Croft are quite inseparable, and they led the celebrations. Darren was just parading around with nine fingers in the air and singing in true Barmy Army fashion a catchy little ditty which went something like ``nine for me, nine for me, nine for me.

Croft kept lapsing into the Welsh language, calling everyone Idwel. He flatly refused to join in the Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, but gave a passable rendering of Bread of Heaven.

Our 'top brass' joined in too, with Lord MacLaurin entering our dressing room to be greeted by another musical masterpiece ``we've all been to Tesco's, we've all been to Tesco's, la-la la la, lala la la.'' Lord MacLaurin has tremendous presence and has become an instant hit with the team.

I stress to the players that, from the chairman down, they will get the best possible support in the future, but everyone will expect a return, and nothing less than 100 per cent commitment to the cause will suffice.

There will be no room for prima donna-like behaviour from anyone, and the team ethic starts from the very top. Everyone at home will maybe be surprised to hear that, from time to time, I have dinner with a group of our journalists and, when time allowed re- cently, we had a round of golf together.

I would like to think that I have made a number of friends, but I will stand by my principles of public support for the players with general constructive criticisms, but what I say to them privately will remain private. What I will say is that the players get the message if I am less than happy with any of them.

So we move on to Christchurch with a real spring in our step and, yes, we will rest for a day before practice on Thursday.

One swallow does not make a summer and all that, but we set a good standard at Wellington and we will expect more of the same.