England must end tour in style - Trescothick

Marcus Trescothick said the team had to keep on winning to cap a good winter in the third and final Test against New Zealand starting in Auckland on Saturday.

In the absence of skipper Nasser Hussain, who was in Australia attending Ben Hollioake's memorial service, Trescothick said on Thursday England had played the better cricket in the first two Tests.

"They [New Zealand] have played some good cricket at times but we have been more consistent and we have got to maintain that," he said.

"I've seen the pitch and it has a lot of green on it. It will be very similar to the Christchurch one."

England were sent in by Stephen Fleming in Christchurch and lost Trescothick and number three Mark Butcher in Chris Cairns' first over.

Trescothick, however, felt the pitch could also play into the hands of 196-wicket fast bowler Andy Caddick.

"He has picked up two six-fors and is bowling great," Trescothick said. "He was a bit out of rhythm and practice at the beginning of the tour, but he's come good now, which is important for us.

"He was disappointed with himself at the start of the tour and we were for him," Trescothick said of the outspoken Caddick.

"But this team has grown to love him and understand him a bit better now. Sometimes he says things he doesn't really mean, but we tend to take them with a pinch of salt."

England lost the one-day series 3-2.

Mail Cricket Editor