nzherald.co.nz will have live scoring of the first test between the Black Caps and England from 9.30 tonight.
KEY POINTS:
LONDON - New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori is calling on happy memories of Hamilton and some tough words to his young batsmen as they eye the imposing task of upsetting England in their own backyard.
Vettori's team completed their final shakedown under leaden skies at Lord's early today ahead of a three-test series seemingly tailor-made for England to win.
Familiarity with the England players and centuries to Aaron Redmond and James Marshall in the warmup matches gave Vettori some hope.
The Black Caps rocked the tourists by 189 runs in Hamilton in March, and with seven of that side back for tonight's (NZT) first test, Vettori said it was the blueprint.
"We have to play exactly the same way as we did in Hamilton. It was a complete performance, there wasn't a session that we let slip, there wasn't a moment that we didn't win," Vettori said.
"We need to be on top of our game the whole time to do well over here and that's what we did in that first test. "
England carry the momentum into the three-test series after clinching the series in Wellington and Napier, by 126 runs and 121 runs.
Vettori still felt his team competed for 90 per cent of those tests, but conceded the key moments.
With England back home, and with New Zealand losing senior statesman Stephen Fleming to retirement, it seems a no-brainer for the local cricketing public.
The hosts' top-six all boast test averages of over 40 while New Zealand are welcoming debutants Redmond and Daniel Flynn, and Marshall in his first test in three years.
New Zealand's 92-run win over Essex, anchored by Marshall's 128, and the draw against England A, highlighted by Redmond's double of 146 and 64, was welcomed by their captain.
"That's been the most pleasing thing because notoriously we're a poor warmup game team, particularly in England, we've played pretty poorly the last two times we've been here.
"When you've got a bit of form heading into a test at a ground like Lord's it takes a bit of that anxiety away. There's guys in the dressing room in a good space. "
Vettori said some tough pre-tour words were required, about players digging in for big scores and not "the quick 40s and 50s".
Brendon McCullum will be a key man at No 5, a spot Vettori felt was ideal to bolster the middle order after the gloveman's success opening in one-day internationals.
Adding some angst has been Vettori's left index finger cut which required two stitches that were only removed last Sunday.
He declared himself fit to bowl but admitted he would have benefited from playing against England A.
"It's just in the worst possible place for a left-arm finger spinner, unfortunately.
"It's healed really well, it's still got a way to go but I should be fine to bowl. "
Vettori confirmed a squad of 12, with Jeetan Patel, Michael Mason, Gareth Hopkins and Peter Fulton omitted and Iain O'Brien the likely 12th man.
England captain Michael Vaughan confirmed an unchanged side from the Napier test and would chase a victory "in convincing fashion".
He said New Zealand's inexperienced top-order was an obvious target, and film of Redmond and Marshall had been studied.
"They haven't got star names but they've got explosive players. They've got a very powerful, aggressive middle order, if they bat long periods of time they'll certainly score fast.
"Generally they're a very workmanlike side and a very dangerous side if you allow them to play that way. "
England: Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan (capt), Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar, James Anderson.
New Zealand (from): Jamie How, Aaron Redmond, James Marshall, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien, Chris Martin.
- NZPA
