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New Zealand will be hoping that their Test performances will get back on track on their tour of England.
The Kiwis have been in dismal form in the longer variety of the game for over a couple of years now. More often than not, poor batting has let them down.
It is not as if there is a lack of talent in the New Zealand side. It seems that they get into a panic whenever the pressure is on them.
A few retirements have not helped the Kiwi cause. The exit of Stephen Fleming and Shane Bond will continue to be a setback for some time to come.
Fleming, for all his shortcomings, was one of the best equipped players for Test cricket. Though he will always be remembered as an underachiever, Fleming provided class and solidity to the top order.
There will not be an easy replacement for Fleming. However, Ross Taylor is getting better by the day and he will eventually become the star performer.
Taylor did well against England when they toured New Zealand. This should add to his confidence. The right-hander needs to be a little more choosy with his strokeplay because the English conditions may prove difficult at times.
Captain Daniel Vettori will pray that his opening problems are sorted out at the earliest. This is an area of major concern for the team over a number of years now.
Jamie How is one of the most improved players in the team and he is expected to anchor the top order.
The kiwis are lucky that they have a strong lower middle order which has been bailing them out on numerous occasions.
All-rounder Jacob Oram is a fine, attacking player who thrives on difficult situations. His bowling will also be a major factor as the conditions in England will prove helpful.
Brendon McCallum is coming off a great stint in the Indian Premier League. He is an outstanding batsman when he gets going and if he uses his head along with his bat, he may well be a major force in the team.
Vettori's batting has become more dependable of late. Though he comes in as low as eight or nine, he is capable of getting a hundred if he gets support.
The spotlight will be on Tim Southee as he makes his first big tour for his country. Southee shone with both bat and ball on his debut and much is expected of him on the tour.
With Bond now out for good, Southee could well become the leader of the pack in the next couple of years.
New Zealand's bowling is in good hands. Both Chris Martin and Kyle Mills are not express in pace but they move the ball well.
Like the West Indies, a strong New Zealand side adds interest to Test cricket. The Kiwis, in the days of Martin Crowe and Richard Hadlee, always upset the best sides in the world.
If the Kiwis get into the winning mode again, Test cricket will start challenging the Twenty20 for entertainment value.
