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England-New Zealand first ODI today

Ted Corbett

The only batsman in either side in the top 10 is Pietersen
Vettori tops the bowling rankings

CHESTER-LE-STREET: Behind the scenes at Old Trafford as England crushed New Zealand it was difficult to miss the sight of Andrew Flintoff in a hospitality box, glad-handing everyone around him, looking slim and bubbly and ready for action just as soon as his troublesome side injury is cured. This big bear of a man claims he will be fit sooner rather than later.

For once there was no despair even in the England dressing room at his distance from the playing area; England now has a team capable of competing, even against the No. 3-ranked New Zealand, which specialises in one-day internationals, despite its wretched performance in Tests and, after three successive defeats to England in Twenty20 games.

The ODI series against the Kiwis begins here on Sunday, continues at Edgbaston, Bristol and the Oval and ends at Lord’s on June 28 and England will be anticipating revenge for its 3-1 beating in New Zealand at the beginning of the year.

Lessons to learn

“We have some gaps to fill, and one or two lessons to learn but we are getting there,” said Paul Collingwood, who fills his role as England captain with assurance.

The only batsman in either side in the ICC top 10 is Kevin Pietersen (ranked No. 8). Daniel Vettori, the Kiwi captain, tops the bowling league.

Meanwhile, every conversation, every press conference, every private meeting is dominated by the announcement that Sir Allen Stanford will hand £1m a player to the winner of the match against the West Indies in Antigua on November 1.

The teams (from): England: Paul Collingwood (captain), Luke Wright, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Tim Ambrose, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Chris Tremlett, Alastair Cook.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Jamie How, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, James Marshall, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Mark Gillespie, Michael Mason.

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