So, here we are again. The second Test series of England's winter brings us face to face with New Zealand, a team similar to England in many ways. Both teams are full of talented players, but neither have any stars who would definitely make a World Test XI.

Both teams also have very astute captains. Stephen Fleming and Nasser Hussain are of similar mould. Neither lets a game drift and both will make intelligent bowling changes and astute tinkerings with the field when necessary. Both always have their finger on the pulse of a game and it will be a fascinating battle of wits between these two.

Both teams have shown immense team spirit over the past few months, New Zealand drawing a Test series in Australia and England losing narrowly in India, a series which could have had a different result had England not been resoundingly thumped in the first Test and had the rain not washed out the third. England finished the series on a high and the body language of both teams seemed to indicate that England had had the better of it.

England's tour of India was a case of testing the water to some extent. The unavailability of Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick, Alec Stewart and Robert Croft meant chances were given to Matthew Hoggard, James Foster, Richard Dawson and Andrew Flintoff.

Matthew Hoggard Photo © AFP

Matthew Hoggard has taken the bull by the horns and made the most of his opportunity. He is a menacing looking quick bowler who still has a lot to learn, but visibly improves every time he plays. He topped the bowling averages with 31.22 in India, which, when you consider the strength of India's batting line up, was a pretty impressive performance for someone with little Test experience and no senior bowler to bowl in tandem with.

James Foster was the first undergraduate to be picked for England since Derek Pringle in 1982. Since then he has made some basic errors while keeping wicket, but he's still young and it's obvious that he has talent. His break during the New Zealand one dayers and warm up games will have rested him and hopefully given him a kick up the arse so that he gives 100% concentration behind the stumps. However, his batting in the Tests in India was very encouraging. His innings in the second Test at Ahmedabad was like that of someone who'd been around for years. His 105 partnership with Criag White against a top class attack of Srinath, Kumble and the Turbanator was an important one both for himself, White and more importantly for the team, who were struggling somewhat when he came to the wicket. To get 40 in that innings and 48 in his only innings in the third Test was a solid effort.

James Foster Photo © CricInfo

Richard Dawson has been OK with the ball, but nothing outstanding. His performance in the first Test at Mohali, where he took four wickets in the first (and virtually only) innings was good, but he was taken apart by Tendulkar and co in the first innings of the second Test. He took the wickets of Dasgupta and Tendulkar in the second innings, which was encouraging to see. He didn't bowl in the third Test, which saw him do a lot of fielding on the boundary and little else. One had to feel for him. There were stages in that innings when Giles was bowling outside the leg stump to Tendulkar and runs dried up, as did wickets. As England were one down in the last match of the series and we needed to bowl India out twice to win the game, Dawson should perhaps have been put on for a few overs. Given his opportunity though, he will be in the frame for years to come. He is a useful lower order batsman too. He can hang around for long periods of time and really frustrate the opposition, which is essential in modern day Test cricket.

And so to Freddy Flintoff. The consensus is that the spelling is 'Freddie', but he'll always be 'Freddy' to me. Brought in as an all rounder at the last minute for the India tour, it was immediately obvious that his short spell at Rodney Marsh's academy had left him leaner and fitter. He averaged 31.50 with the ball in India, which although marginally behind Hoggard doesn't really tell the full story. He suffered from several dropped catches in the field and therefore only took six wickets in the series to Hoggard's nine, but gave away less runs per over. He bowled 92 overs in all, 31 of which were maidens. A very impressive performance. His short ball is a difficult one to evade and keeps the batsman on his toes. His four wickets in India's only innings at Bangalore were top drawer, as were Hoggard's four. The two make a mean opening partnership.

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned Flintoff's batting in the Tests. Well, that's because it was utter shite.

How must White and Foster feel coming in after Flintoff in a Test match? Pretty gutted, one might think. Every time India took the fourth wicket and saw Flintoff walking to the crease, they knew a fifth would soon follow. Either England need to sort out the batting order and use Flintoff as an opening bowler who can whack a few runs when batting nine or Flintoff needs to bat like a true all rounder. The latter would be preferable.

Despite a nightmare in the first Test in India, England's fielding has improved markedly. Heads do not drop in the field and Hussain seems to be able to keep the guys motivated for long periods of time when things aren't necessarily going England's way. He has the utmost respect from all the players and seems to get the best out of the youngsters.

The New Zealand side is full of talent, but to pick out two, it would have to be Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan.

If you don't count Adam Gilchrist, Cairns is probably the best all-rounder in world cricket today. He is an intelligent and pacey bowler and can destroy sides with the bat. His hitting is as clean and powerful as anyone else on the planet.

McMillan is an attacking batsman, always looking to score runs and take the game to the opposition. He is a skiddy bowler with a fair amount of pace and can produce the odd bumper, which is commendable for a man of his stature. He is always chirping at the batsmen too. Not in a nasty way, but a cheeky chappy sort of way. An entertaining player to watch.

There is little to choose from between the two sides. On paper, England probably edge it, but the consistency and doggedness of the New Zealanders means they should match England in every department.

Expect a tight series with plenty of exciting cricket in this beautiful and friendly country.

© England's Barmy Army