Touring the Motherland

As I write, the boys are taking their first tentative steps on what some media have called a hiding to nothing, a tour of the Motherland in May. Green seamers, grey skies, warm beer and long sleeved sweaters - all things normally associated with a early season tour of England. Certainly not ideal for a team rebuilding after several high profile departures. But the cold temperatures almost justify a few extra pies for Jesse Ryder.

I would compare this phase facing Dan and his band of merry men to the situation of Martin Crowe in 1990 as he had to rope together a side of b-grade first class cricketers to tour the foreign fields of Pakistan. A combination of the financial security offered by hit and giggle (IPL/ICL) and an authoritarian management regime has led to a large number of high profile retirements and departures, hastening the beginning of a new age in New Zealand Cricket. The Fleming Years are behind us as Dan the Man leads a fresh batch of troops into the breach.

Touring maketh the man, therefore I would go as far to say that this tour is going to define both the brand of cricket New Zealand wants to play post-Flem, and the players to take us there. I'm
excited actually, and will be avidly following the lads from behind my law textbooks through another freezing Wellington winter.

My players to watch:

Chris Not so sMartin: The nearly man of New Zealand cricket. Bowls at a good clip, swings it like a 70's disco, but just can't quite crack the top level. Early season English conditions will suit him, so if he doesn't get a packet of wickets I'd start looking elsewhere if I was Braces & Co. Needs to step up and lead. Fullstop

Dan the Man Vettori: His captaincy will be tested, but in reality he has it no harder than Crowey or Flem had it when they started out. Needs to do all the cliches, be positive, lead from the front, read Harry Potter.... This tour will define the brand of Captain he wants to be. If he comes out intact he will be far stronger for it. With Dan in charge of the BC's expect library memberships over our fair land to double. Bookish nerdiness has never been so hot...

James the other Marshall: Far better player than his international record suggests. Needs to get runs and secure a middle order spot, bowls useful medium pace at the WIS in Newtown as well. His energy in the field has been missed, and New Zealand has suffered for it with our fielding standards stagnating of late.

Jamie and How: Goes out with my girlfriend's cousin, so could be family one day. Suddenly being heralded as New Zealand's batting great white hope. Has yet to get the runs to justify such a title. New Zealand's best hope for a hundred at Lords.

Daniel my local hero Flynn: Gotta plug my hometown hero. Great to see him in the side, a natural talent, who, if given a few years could be a middle order stalwart for New Zealand. Would be nice to see him get a test match, but even being around the side for the tour will be good for him. One for the future.

As for the rest of Dan's Motley Crue, as is always the case with New Zealand sides, the strength of the team will define its success. My predictions? 2-0 to England in the tests, and New Zealand to take the ODI's. But it will all be alot closer than people suspect.

Good luck and god speed men.