MANCHESTER (England), May 22: New Zealand may, in the eyes of England captain Michael Vaughan, be a “workmanlike” side but the hosts are set for another tough examination of their credentials here at Old Trafford.

This three-match series is all square ahead of the start of the second Test on Friday after New Zealand arguably had the better of a draw at Lord’s.

Sent into bat on overcast conditions before collapsing to 104 for five, the Black Caps rallied to 277 all out thanks mainly to Brendon McCullum’s run-a-ball 97.

They then restricted England, who had far better weather to bat in, to a first innings lead of just 42 with captain Daniel Vettori leading from the front with five wickets. And they ultimately had little difficulty in playing out a draw at Lord’s on the final day as all-rounder Jacob Oram compiled a splendid hundred.

England’s failure to polish off New Zealand again emphasised how much their fledgling attack misses the pace bowling of Andrew Flintoff, out of this series with a side strain.

New Zealand’s first innings was equally another example of their longstanding problem in scoring top-order runs.

But the way in which opener Jamie How and Test debutant Daniel Flynn batted second time around gave them some cause for optimism.

‘Workmanlike’ might be something of a backhanded compliment, and one Vettori laughed off at Lord’s, but, the latter stages of Vaughan’s hundred apart, the description might equally have applied to England’s first Test display

“Workmanlike, yeah, but having said that Jacob’s and Brendon’s innings showed a little bit of style and class as well,” John Bracewell, New Zealand’s coach, told reporters on Thursday.

“I certainly don’t mind that tag and crafting out results – there is nothing wrong with a good work ethic,” the former New Zealand off-spinner added.

McCullum showed plenty of grit in batting again on Monday’s final day after X-rays showed no break to the left forearm struck such a painful blow by England fast bowler Stuart Broad it forced the batsman to retire hurt.

The wicket-keeper, despite training on Wednesday with a “puffy” arm, is expected to be fit for the second Test.

“I have not really gone into the psychology of it all but you always want to go with a volunteer rather than a pressed man,” Bracewell explained.

Meanwhile, New Zealand are waiting on the fitness of teenage pace bowler Tim Southee before naming their side.

Southee, who had ‘flu during the drawn first Test of this three-match series at Lord’s, has suffered with illness and only returned to training on Thursday.

If he is ruled out New Zealand could opt for a like-for-like replacement in Iain O’Brien, in their squad of 12 at Lord’s before being omitted.

Alternatively, on a pitch renowned for taking turn, they could bring in Jeetan Patel as a second spinner alongside Vettori.

Another consideration is that in opening batsman Aaron Redmond, who made his Test debut at Lord’s, New Zealand have a player who began his first-class career as a leg-spinner.

Vettori, reflecting on Southee’s fitness, told a news conference here on Thursday: “He hasn’t trained the last couple of days.

“He’s been down with a virus but he seems to be ready to go today.

“We’ll sit back and see how he goes and how he comes through it then we will make a decision on our final XI.”

England named an unchanged side at Old Trafford with Hampshire fast bowler Chris Tremlett missing out after being added to the squad.

Paul Collingwood, who played at Lord’s after a cortisone injection in his right, bowling, shoulder, sent down plenty of overs in the nets on Wednesday.

The Durham all-rounder will now hope to give England a genuine fourth seamer option after delivering just three overs at Lord’s.

New Zealand are also likely to field the same team although teenage quick Tim Southee did miss practice on Wednesday following a bout of sickness.

Teams:

ENGLAND: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan (captain), Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar, James Anderson.

NEW ZEALAND (likely): James How, Aaron Redmond, James Marshall, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Chris Martin.

Umpires: Simon Taufel and Darrell Hair (both Australia).

TV umpire: Ian Gould (England).

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).—AFP