KEY POINTS:
The post-mortem into England's dismal defeat in the first cricket test against New Zealand is in full swing with changes forecast as the tourists' seek atonement at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from Thursday.
England selector James Whitaker was scheduled to fly home yesterday but he instead accompanied the tour party to Wellington to ponder personnel changes for the second test with embattled coach Peter Moores and captain Michael Vaughan.
After overseeing England's tepid display in Hamilton, where New Zealand cruised to an emphatic 189-run triumph at Seddon Park on Sunday, Moores conceded the make-up of the side required urgent reassessment.
"The team for the next game obviously needs some serious consideration," he said.
"You'd be stupid not to evaluate it. Not everyone had the game they wanted to and we have to look at putting out our best 11 to win the game and level the series."
Errant pace bowler Steve Harmison seems the most likely fall guy though realistically only fellow seamer Ryan Sidebottom, wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose and prolific catcher Alastair Cook could reflect positively on their contributions.
Harmison, the Black Caps' nemesis during their 3-0 series loss in England four years ago, has regressed alarmingly on his first tour of New Zealand - admittedly an unwelcome assignment for a father of four never happy to stray too far from his beloved Durham in England's north east.
Harmison took 21 wickets at 22.09 to ensure Chris Cairns did not enjoy a fond farewell from test cricket in 2004 but so far on tour Harmison has resembled a slow-placed shadow of a bowler once ranked the world's No 1.
No longer entrusted with the new ball, Harmison took a solitary wicket for 121 runs in Hamilton from uninspiring 27 overs.
It was a performance indicative of a 12-month period which has netted Harmison 25 wickets at 39.08 from eight tests since the start of last year.
Moores said a priority over the next two days was to discuss - and ideally solve - Harmison's predicament.
"If you feel someone is not working hard enough and trying hard enough you are going to speak with them, and if someone is putting themselves under too much pressure you try and take pressure off them," Moores said.
"Everyone has to work hard to help each other under pressure situations."
Already under intense scrutiny, Harmison will likely need to lift his game in the nets with 21-year-old one-test seamer Stuart Broad a candidate to take the third seamers role.
James Anderson, loaned out to Auckland for their State Championship match against Wellington while the test was in progress, has also returned to the fold.
He took two for 95 from 38 overs as Auckland relinquished the competition lead when losing by an innings and 95 runs.
Meanwhile, a settled New Zealand squad were to start their preparations today with just one pressing concern - the careful management of their bowling attack.
New Zealand delivered 1368 legitimate deliveries during the test - England's first innings lasted a marathon 173.1 overs.
"They've come through well but it's all about recovery and being able to do the next test, and the next one," New Zealand coach John Bracewell said.
"(Kyle) Mills and (Chris) Martin have come through a heavy workload in the one-day games as well, we've got to be careful about their recovery and their workloads.
"They'll have some specific workloads in regards to how they have to bowl at the Basin based on our review and whether any adjustments need to be made. It'll be quite targeted but it won't be heavy."
- NZPA
