How honoured by captaincy

The 'holding role' is a familiar term in football, a phrase often bestowed on a player who is unlikely to make the headlines.

The position has never transferred to cricket until now, when New Zealand's stand-in captain Jamie How assessed his duties a day after the Black Caps landed in London ahead of their npower Test series with England.

With usual skipper Daniel Vettori and his second-in-command Brendon McCullum starring in the IPL, as well as senior players Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills, coach John Bracewell handed the reins to How, albeit on a temporary basis.

The opening batsman will lead his side against the MCC and Kent before the quintet fly back from Asia in time for two more warm-up games before the first npower Test at Lord's on May 15.

"I'm the first to admit it's a holding role, a part-time role" said How, as he spoke with the assembled media at Lord's on Thursday. "It's a great opportunity. Warm-up game or practice match, it's still an honour to captain your country so I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Football's 'holding role' is often filled by a team man, someone who puts his colleagues ahead of personal glories. Indeed, the best exponents of the position go about their work almost unnoticed. There is little glory involved but that player will never be undervalued by his teammates.

The unassuming How, who will turn 27 on the final day of the first npower Test, seems a perfect fit for cricket's version of the position.

Peering from underneath the peak of his black cap as Bracewell took centre stage with the media, How was happy to play second-fiddle to his coach. Indeed, it's something he has probably become accustomed to.

When the swashbuckling McCullum and the other four Kiwis, dubbed 'superstars' by one journalist, arrive in England no doubt they will command more column inches than the rest of the tourists.

How doesn't mind - he is in charge for the time being and is determined to enjoy the experience. The famous five won't be given any special treatment and those replacing them have a chance to shine.

"Superstars? They are still team-mates," he retorted. "We don't often get many games going into Tests. It'll be to continue our work throughout the season and work towards that first Test.

"The guys are realisitic about the guys coming in. They are senior players. It's always an opportunity to press for selection but you can only go out and do your best."

McCullum, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, smote an astonishing 158 off just 73 balls, including 13 sixes and ten fours, as the IPL announced itself in style on Friday.

His innings was screened close to 7am back in his native country, which was a little early for How.

"I saw the end of it," he said, before insisting he was not shocked by his team-mate's fireworks. "We see him in the nets every day so it's no surprise."

One player capable of playing a similar innings is Andrew Flintoff whose rehabilitation from an ankle operation gathers pace by the day.

While he has struggled to find his touch with the bat for Lancashire this season, he has impressed with the ball, hurtling in with the speed of old and managing long spells.

While an England recall is not assured, How is relishing the chance to face Flintoff should the popular all-rounder regain his place.

"I've never played him before," said How. "The players are certainly looking forward to the challenges. He's a world-class player and it's always great not only to play the best players in the world but to hopefully do well."