Tremendous, England won the test series. 2-1 represents a decent comeback against a Kiwi side which wasn’t consistent enough over 15 days of test cricket, and which (for one reason and another) fielded some fairly poor players. The loss of Fleming to NZ is huge, and makes the already big hole in their top order so big that it would take a dozen Jesse Ryders to fill. The Kiwis have some exciting players, but they can’t rely continually on Macullum, Oram and Vettori to carry the ship. Ross Taylor and Tim Southee look the real deal, but that is only half a side, and they’ll struggle in England. The Saffas will be a much bigger test this summer.

England on the other hand can take heart from coming from behind to win, and I am impressed that they were prepared to bin the woeful Harmison (possibly permanently) following the first test. He has underperformed for too long and I would rather England stuck with Broad rather than harking back to Harmy’s glory days in the West Indies. Hoggard could come back, he hasn’t continually been underprepared for the start of every series.