England captain Joe Root, on Thursday, weighed up the difference between playing the Blacks Caps and Australia over the past four months. On the eve of their second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, the last match of an arduous tour, Root cited a different atmosphere between the two sides. While the Ashes series in Australia was fraught with acrimony, the relationship between England and New Zealand was cordial throughout the first Test despite New Zealand’s domination.
“In terms of the atmosphere on the field there might not be as much said verbally when you play against New Zealand,” he said.
“But you still get a sense that they’re playing good hard cricket. They go about things very much in their own way but you know you’re up against a side that is desperate to win.
“I’m not saying Australia don’t bring that to the table when you play against them, but it is a different atmosphere in my experience.”
New Zealand’s first Test victory and preparations for the second Test have been overshadowed in the news media by saturation coverage of the Australian ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
