England’s record-breaking, unbreakable new-ball partnership has held firm for 10 years at the top but they will be under the microscope in New Zealand
Exactly 10 years ago to the day England started a Test match in New Zealand with what was to prove a lasting and very successful change in personnel. The second Test in Wellington was seen as crucial for England and their captain, Michael Vaughan, coming as it did after seven without a victory and with the team facing the prospect of a series defeat with a game to spare, and some personnel changes were inevitable.
Though the batsmen had been misfiring – being bowled out for 81 and 110 in successive Tests – it was the bowlers who took the hit, with Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison left out. “It was a tough call,” said Vaughan. “There was a gut instinct that we needed to make a change to give the attack a shake-up. Now I really hope that both fight to get their places back.”
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