Moores credits Ambrose
To watch the full exclusive interview with Peter Moores on ECBtv, click here.
England coach Peter Moores pointed to the crucial contribution made by diminutive wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose during the second Test in Wellington against New Zealand, as one of the crucial phases in the three-match series that England eventually took 2-1.
England were one Test down and struggling on 136 for five when Ambrose joined Paul Collingwood and the pair set about the task of putting their side back into contention.
The duo produced a 164-run partnership and Ambrose drove and clipped his way to his maiden Test hundred as England eventually squared the series.
Moores told ECBtv: “It was a key stage in the series when Tim Ambrose, in only his second Test, joined Paul Collingwood and they put together a fantastic partnership and Timmy went on to make a hundred but Collingwood should take a lot of credit.
"As one of the more experienced players in the side he negotiated through one of the most tricky patches.
“I think Colly played a key role in both the first two Test and he plays well with the lower (batting) order but if you look at the end of the second Test that hundred partnership was the difference between the two teams."
England seamer Ryan Sidebottom has continued to impress during the series with 24 wickets that secured him the man-of-the-series award.
Moores continued: “You talk about defining moments and I think Ryan Sidebottom getting Stephen Fleming straight after lunch in the first innings at Napier. That wicket was definitely a catalyst that caused a mood swing in the game.
Tim Ambrose (left) and Paul Collingwood put on 164 at Wellington © Getty ImagesBuy this photo“Timmy (Ambrose) was the one who went out there and did it in the second Test - a strong cutter he works the ball well off his legs.
"We took the initiative away from the New Zealanders on a wicket that did a little bit all the time. I am really pleased for Tim and he has backed it up with a good keeping performance in all three Tests."
England took victory in the decisive third Test by 121 runs after Sidebottom had claimed seven wickets in the first innings and Monty Panesar six during the second.
Moores added: “If you play your cricket on a wicket like the one a Napier you become a good player, early on it did have pace and did seam around a bit and when it became overcast it swung - and I think both sides struggled to come to terms with it in the first innings.
“As the wicket slowed I think the batsmen got used to the bounce and the bat started to dominate the ball. That is the beauty of having a varied bowling attack with Ryan Sidebottom causing problems in the first and Monty Panesar proving the difference in the second."
England have bounced back from a 1-0 Test loss to Sri Lanka before Christmas but suffered a reverse in the one-day contests 3-1 to New Zealand after defeating the Sri Lankans 3-2.
Moores concluded: “The lads have stood up and been counted. We know there are a lot of people who have lost sleep by watching from home and it is now a chance to relax but the pressure will come back on later in the domestic summer when we play New Zealand again.
“I think we are going in the right direction but the results have been a bit up and down - it is a changing team - both the one-day and Test sides are changing, we have won and lost a couple of series at one-day and Test level but it has been tight all the way through and everyone has worked extremely hard throughout."
England coach Peter Moores reflected on his first year in charge © Getty Images
