Hussain happy with England's warm-up performance

England captain Nasser Hussain said on Saturday he was pleased with his side's performance in the drawn warm-up game against Canterbury despite a toothless display from his bowling attack ahead of the first Test with New Zealand.

Canterbury lost just two wickets against an England attack that is likely to be in action at Lancaster Park on Wednesday as Hussain's side struggled to make any headway on a flat Hagley Oval pitch.

Andy Caddick bowled eight maidens and conceded just 15 runs from 12 overs but England were far from threatening as Shannon Stewart (58) and Robbie Frew (72) made half-centuries.

The game ended in stalemate with Canterbury 175 for two at the close after England had earlier declared on 432 for nine.

After two warm-up games only Caddick looks to be in form with the ball but Hussain is not worried by his attack's lack of penetration.

"I'm very satisfied after this match.

"It was important to get some big runs on the board and to get away from the one-day mentality. We bowled well first up and in the second innings the wicket flattened out but we stuck at it well.

"Everyone knows already that we have to start full on. We are probably underdogs with the turnaround in our team over the past year, but we've been underdogs before and have fought hard.

RUN GETTER
"Being underdogs doesn't mean a thing because it's how we play on Wednesday that counts. We are two similar side and whoever hits it hard on Wednesday will become favourites.

"If we bat like we did here then we have got a chance.

"The new ball out here is very important whereas in India we could drag it back with spin. In New Zealand the new ball swings around for 15 or 20 overs so our use of it will be the key."

Hussain said he was not concerned about where England's wickets would come from.

"Two weeks ago everyone was worried about Caddick's form but now he is the lynchpin of our attack," he said.

"Form goes like that and our bowlers have got to be right for the test so it doesn't matter if they are not taking six or seven wickets here."

Michael Vaughan's brilliant 156 was the highlight for England and Hussain is looking to the Yorkshireman to be a vital run getter in the Test series.

"We have known for a long time that Vaughan is a quality player and his innings was outstanding," he said.

"He batted for long periods and that is exactly what we wanted and will want again in the Tests. He is a special player and he is a prospect not just for the future but for the present as well.

"There are things we can work on but they will come in time. I've got my best team down to 12 but we have to look at the balance of the side before making a decision."

Mail Cricket Editor