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Well wasn’t that last test fun? It takes real skill to lead by 265 with 8 second innings wickets in hand and still lose by 6 wickets. To achieve that against England is even more of an achievement. Much has been rightly been made of New Zealand’s ability to fall away when they reach the 3rd or 4th day of a test during the Bracewell era. But on a larger scale, the trait of finishing series after series in an ambulance has been equally as pronounced. The contest between these two earlier in the year is a classic example, but a winning lead was thrown away against South Africa in 2004, earlier that season Pakistan scrapped their way to a draw in the first test only to win the second. In 2006 a comfortable first test dismissal of Sri Lanka was followed by a hammering in the second; a match where Chamara Silva of all people got a test century. And during the last series in England in 2004, the meek surrender against a side featuring Saggers at this venue is strangely underrated in the House of Black Cap Horrors. So that familiar English Complacency should be topped up for this match. For the sixth time in this double-series the Top 6 remains intact. Looking at the scores they’ve mustered during this time that’s a little surprising. So while they might be backing themselves as a world force, they are merely being workmanlike . Without wanting to stress the obvious, the tourists’ batting problems have not gone away. The openers have been efficient enough, but the fact that Marshall has not played in the top order for anyone for 3 years has caught him out. He may still get a shot down the order here though as a fifty against Northamptonshire is probably enough to see the world’s tallest man who has yet to shave get a run. And with the dizziness concerns around Flynn adding to those other concerns that he was not ready for test cricket anyway, Marshall may move down to Number 6. Adding to the jigsaw is that Hopkins would probably be the best bet of all at the position, thereby allowing Prince Brendan to concentrate further on how to play medium quality spin bowling. In the middle of this, Ross Taylor is having to grow up very quickly. So it is fair to say that, once again, New Zealand enters a test match with a side that is as settled as a Chinese village. The fact that Mills has not fired a shot with the ball all tour barely registers on the list of issues. To the predictions for this test where there is great faith being shown in the Nottingham weather and the return of Tim Southee. 1. Result. 2. Number of changes in personnel from the 22 who played at Old Trafford. 3. Eng top run scorer (match) 4. NZ top run scorer (match) 5. Who will bowl the most overs? 6. How many byes will Ambrose concede? (within 5 = 2 points, within 10 = 1 point) 7. Take out Sidebottom: who will get the most wickets in the test? 8. Which non-keeper will take the most catches? 9. What will Prince Brendan’s Strike Rate be for the test? (within 5 = 2 points, within 10 = 1 point) 10. Man of the match. The carry-through current wearer of the Orange Cap, 
1. England will win and then kid themselves that they're getting somewhere. 2. One change, Southee to return, probably for O'Brien. Flynn will play. He'll look different, but it still counts as the same person. 3. Michael Vaughan’s scored a few at Trent Bridge before now. Maybe him. 4. We're going to keep saying Daniel Vettori. until we’re right. 5. Kyle Mills will bowl most overs. 6. 4. 7. James Anderson should thrive. Trent Bridge favours the swing bowlers. 8. Andrew Strauss should be busy in the slips 9. 66 although he positively flew in the last Test. 10. Michael Vaughan. will be man of the match for a defiant hundred in bowler-friendly conditions. Mike from Mike on Cricket gets romantic 1. England win. 2. One Southee in for O’Brien. 3. Andrew Strauss. Damn lefty. 4. Vettori. It’s a seamer so it has to be someone in the lower-middle order. And McCullum and Oram have had their go, so that means it must be Vettori. 5. Martin . 6. 0. He hasn't done too much wrong so far, but he hasn't shone either. I am picking this as his match to shine. 7. Southee. Just because it would be nice. 8. Andrew Strauss. Sidebottom's side-kick in the nemesis stakes. 9. 90. 10. Tim Southee. It’s the end of the series. It’s time for a touch of romance. The team from The Silly Point try to make up ground from the last round with a string of toe-curling puns, and some mathematical logic. 1. New Zealand. Predicted a 1-1 series, so come on New Zealand. 2. One. Surely the Tim Southee runs have stopped. 3. KP. Just because he has to. 4. How. What do you mean how? - By scoring lots and lots of runs. 5. Vettori . He will bowl out of his sking to win the test. 6. 10. you have giving us a free hit on this. The margins for points are so very generous - unless he leaks more than 20, that is one definite point for me. If not 2. If not for everybody.
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