As we look forward (and I mean, really look forward) to the first cricket Test between England and New Zealand at Lords, pause for a moment and spare a thought for two players - Aaron Redmond and James Marshall.


28 year old Redmond makes his International Test debut tonight (New Zealand time) on the biggest stage in cricket - a Test Match against England at Lords. Not only has he been handed the job of solidifying the long-term weakness of New Zealand's top-order batting (thanks, John) - he has to do it against an English team rearing to go at the start of their summer. And did we mention that it's at Lords?

And Marshall, too - spare him a thought. He'll be thrust into the number 3 position, another major on-going weakness for New Zealand - although his job might be made easier by the water-tight technique of Redmond.

Daniel Flynn, the hard-hitting Northern Districts rookie, also makes his Test debut - although coming in down the order will mean less initial pressure on him. He'll be hoping New Zealand have finally found an answer to their top order woes - with a solid foundation, Flynn has the potential to have an exciting impact coming in at 6. Throw into that middle order the returning Oram and, of course, the explosive McCullum, and we could have some exciting Test cricket ahead.

If the top order can manage to get to double figures, that is.

England, whilst missing the services of Flintoff, will field a very strong side - and New Zealand should be concerned.

Sidebottom was nothing short of spectacular during the tour to New Zealand, and with the confidence of 'England Player of the Year 2007' behind him, he's sure to make life very difficult for the New Zealand batsmen.

England's top order batting looks more-than-solid. With Strauss, Cook, Vaughan, Pietersen, Bell and Collingwood forming a nice blend of attack and defense in the top 6, it's hard to see how New Zealand's bowling attack is going to make significant in-roads.

And, if they do, they've learned the hard way that England's middle-lower order is no longer the fragile, splintered tail that it was.

Mentally, this match will be both tough but exciting for New Zealand. They've won 8 (yes, 8) out of the 91 Tests thay've played against England, but one of those, possibly New Zealand's greatest Test victory ever, came at Lord's in 1999. Could that be the motivation New Zealand need to turn true underdog status into their 9th Test win against England?

Chris Martin won't need any extra motivation, though - his young bowling partner, Tim Southee, has scored more runs than him in a single Test innings. Come on, Chris - it's time to get that avearge above 3.

He's one to watch, is Martin - if he decides he does want that average up, things could get very, very explosive.