Key wary of Kiwi threat

Lions captain Robert Key claims New Zealand "know their plans" © Getty Images

Robert Key has warned England not to underestimate the threat offered by an improving New Zealand side when the opening npower Test starts at Lord’s later this week.

The Lions captain successfully ended the tourists’ winning run in the build-up to the three-Test series by salvaging a battling draw from the four-day match at the Rose Bowl.

But having also encountered the tourists at the start of the tour when he faced them for Kent, Key believes they have made sufficient improvement to make life difficult for the senior England side when the Test series starts.

“They’re certainly an improving side, I think,” Key said. “I played them in one of their first games on tour and there was a bit more life in the Rose Bowl pitch. They’re a very well-oiled outfit. You can’t underestimate them.

“They haven’t got that legend of the game coming in - there’s no Murali, no Warne, that sort of thing - but they’re a very well drilled outfit.

“They stick to their plans pretty well and it’s our job to negate that and try to be as positive as you can. They know their game and they just stick to it and it's whether or not you’re up to it.”

Denied victory against the Lions, New Zealand will still be entering the opening Test with confidence after delivering a solid performance at the Rose Bowl following victory over Essex.

Black Caps vice-captain Brendon McCullum said: “I think this was a thorough workout leading into the Test match.

“I think we got through some pretty sound work for the bowlers and the batsmen really put their hands up and took their opportunities.

“Hopefully we lead into the Test match with some real confidence after this display.”

The key to New Zealand’s fortunes over the coming weeks may be dependent on the availability of captain Daniel Vettori, who missed the Lions match after having a cut left index finger stitched up.

He has since had the stitches removed and McCullum added: “We’re crossing our fingers that he’s going to be all right.

“He’s such a huge part of our team, captaincy-wise, bowling-wise and also with the bat, and to have such an experienced player like that on the sidelines is obviously a huge frustration.

“If Daniel’s playing it certainly gives us a lot more opportunity to win a series than it does without him.”