Andy Caddick insists playing against the country of his birth is no more special than playing against any other Test team. Caddick was again England's star bowler with 4 for 57 on the first day of this rain-affected final Test, which brought his series tally to 19 and his overall haul to 200 wickets from 53 Tests.

Caddick, 33, who switched his allegiance to England 10 years ago, insisted the series against New Zealand had no extra meaning for him despite being born in Christchurch.

"Test cricket is hard enough as it is but playing against New Zealand is just another Test match for me," he said Saturday.

But judging from his performance during the 1999 series in England, when he took 20 Kiwi scalps in four Tests after a year out of the international arena, it's clear Caddick finds a little bit extra for his former countrymen.

Then, as now, his regular new-ball partner Darren Gough was absent, something Caddick says spurs him on.

"I've always enjoyed the fact Goughie isn't here. It puts more pressure on my shoulders and I enjoy the responsibility," he said. "You tend to get on with it and think about it a bit more."

Caddick says his figures could have been better had it not been for injury and lack of faith by the selectors.

His lowest point was being left out of the Australian tour in 1998-99 under Alec Stewart's captaincy after taking 105 first-class wickets in a season.

"It's frustrating, I should have played as many Tests as Graham Thorpe (72) because we started at the same time. Injuries come along, selectors come along and I've had the bulk of them."

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