KEY POINTS:
With rugby about to impinge on cricket's time in the sun, the Black Caps have a golden opportunity to keep the national sport in the doldrums by savouring a rare test series win over their oldest foe, England.
While the New Zealand Rugby Union is pumping the feel good factor of another Super 14, the Black Caps can gain traction by improving their meagre success rate against another side driven by inconsistency.
New Zealand's two-test cake walk over Bangladesh this month is about to be put in context.
Six tests against England from March to July will show whether the Black Caps can hoist themselves up the test ladder to match their lofty third on the International Cricket Council's (ICC) one-day rankings.
New Zealand are currently a poorly seventh, ahead of only former super power the West Indies and an inexperienced Bangladesh.
Home and away series against England pose a serious challenge to the leadership of Daniel Vettori and possibly a pointer to the future of John Bracewell, though the head coach's contract was renewed for another two years after last year's semifinal finish at the World Cup.
Vettori is still finding his way since assuming total control from Stephen Fleming, who remains the key to New Zealand posting defendable totals against an opponent already considered warm favourites once two Twenty/20 games and five one day internationals (ODIs) are dispensed with next month.
While the English ODI squad includes unfamiliar names in Luke Wright and James Treadwell, the reinforcements boast a wealth of experience, no more so than test skipper Michael Vaughan.
He will likely open with Alistair Cook though Andrew Strauss, who scored a century on debut against New Zealand four years ago, is back in contention after being dropped for December's 0-1 series loss in Sri Lanka.
Strauss has been given a leg up by being able to acclimatise himself with New Zealand conditions ahead of time, playing for Northern Districts.
Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood - the ODI captain - and Kevin Pietersen form the remainder of a potentially damaging middle order while the seam attack also looks imposing, despite the absence of injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.
Matthew Hoggard, James Anderson and Steve Harmison are the axis of a pace attack capable of exploiting the fragility of New Zealand's top order.
Fleming retains a huge weight on his shoulders as the cornerstone of the innings, given the opening combination remains unproven.
Down the top order, the early summer returns of Peter Fulton and Mathew Sinclair have been far from encouraging.
New Zealand also seem cast as second best in the bowling department in the wake of injury prone Shane Bond's departure to the Indian Cricket League.
Vettori will probably have to rely on the laid back Chris Martin to make the early inroads with fellow new ball bowler Kyle Mills.
Iain O'Brien, Mark Gillespie or Michael Mason are an earnest though far from lethal supporting cast.
One area New Zealand can claim an advantage is behind the stumps, where Brendon McCullum is without peer domestically while England have two new keepers in Tim Ambrose and Phil Mustard.
History suggests England are capable of forging an early edge before the return series in April-June.
New Zealand have won only seven of 88 tests between the two nations stretching back to their first meeting at Lancaster Park in January 1930.
The Black Caps have won three with home advantage, though encouragingly they have lost just one of their last five in New Zealand - at Christchurch in 2002 where Nathan Astle had the consolation of slamming the fastest double hundred in test history.
NEW ZEALAND V ENGLAND FACTBOX
First test: at Christchurch, January 1930, England won by 8 wkts
Last test: at Nottingham, June 2004, England won by 4 wkts
Overall:
Played: 88, New Zealand won 7, England won 41, drawn 40.
In New Zealand:
Played: 41, New Zealand won 3, England won 16, drawn 22
First New Zealand victory: Wellington, February 1978, by 72 runs.
Last New Zealand victory: Auckland, March 2002, by 78 runs.
Longest New Zealand losing streak: 7 - March 1951-July 1958.
Longest New Zealand winning streak: 1 - 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1999, 2002.
Records:
Highest innings:
New Zealand: 551-9 dec, Lord's, 1973
England: 593-6 dec, Auckland, 1974-75
Lowest innings:
New Zealand: 26, Auckland, 1954-55
England: 64, Wellington, 1978
Highest individual score:
New Zealand: 222, Nathan Astle, Christchurch, 2002
England: 336*, Wally Hammond, Auckland, 1932-33
Best bowling (innings):
New Zealand: 7-74, Lance Cairns, Leeds, 1983
England: 7-32, Derek Underwood, Lord's, 1969
Best bowling (match):
New Zealand: 11-169, Dion Nash, Lord's, 1994
England: 12-97, Derek Underwood, Christchurch, 1970-71
Most wickets in a series:-
New Zealand: 21 (average 26.61), Richard Hadlee, 1983
England: 34 (ave 7.47), Tony Lock, 1958
- NZPA
