Relieved England head for Ashes set-up

We haven’t been beaten and that’s important, says Cook.

AUCKLAND: Alastair Cook’s team return to England under no illusions they pulled off a great escape against New Zealand and can ill afford any further lapses in intensity ahead of back-to-back Ashes series later this year.

The world’s second-ranked Test side was expected to win comfortably over a New Zealand team that was bundled out for 45 runs by South Africa in January and rocked by the clumsy demotion of former captain Ross Taylor.

Instead, despite benign pitches and patchy weather, they found a New Zealand side intent on ensuring that whatever advantage they gleaned on the field, they were made to earn it.

“We have to give a lot of credit to New Zealand,” said Cook. “They have played well and we didn’t. They put us under a lot of pressure, at certain times, we have just about managed to respond and hold on.”

Cook, who throughout the tour denied his side was taking the hosts lightly, struggled to take too many positives out of the series, other than their ability to save two of the matches.

In the first Test in Dunedin, Cook and Nick Compton both scored centuries in England’s second innings to resurrect their side after they were bowled out for 167 in the first.

The Wellington weather probably saved New Zealand in the second test but most concerning for England was how comprehensively they were outplayed in the deciding test in Auckland.



“We are disappointed that in this series we haven’t played as well as we can. We haven’t been beaten, and I think that’s an important thing to have for a side, to have that toughness when you are behind the eight-ball to fight and make yourself a very difficult team to beat.”

There are further positives on the horizon for Cook and his team, with spinner Graeme Swann and paceman Tim Bresnan expected to return from elbow surgery for the international programme at home.

World class batsman Kevin Pietersen, pending tests on his knee, should also be back to strengthen the squad.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2013.