The forthcoming three-Test series should see England return to winning ways.
Without Shane Bond, the Kiwis' main strike bowler, and many other recently ret ired players, England should be too strong in the longer form of the game.
New Zealand will battle hard but I believe the skill levels of England will be too great.
I was surprised to see Andrew Strauss a player I rate highly, return to the set-up quite so quickly, having been left out of the Sri Lanka tour before Christmas.
It appears the selectors felt he became a better player while at home, away from the firing line, than some of the players who were battling it out against the likes of Muralitharan and Vaas. I am a big believer in cent ral contracts but selection should not be based on who may or may not have been awarded one.
The selectors have been keen to get the message across that everyone is treated fairly but I am a little concerned that the Strauss selection sends out the wrong message to county players.
International cricket is not just about ability and skill levels, but mental strength as well and the sign of a good player or good team is how they react in adversity.
England, in both forms of the game, have a chance over the next month to show what they are made of and what they are capable of achieving.
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JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE