Ashes tour: Aussies hoping Kiwis more helpful against Poms than two years ago

LET’S hope the Kiwis quickly got over their Cricket World Cup final defeat and aren’t as benevolent to the Poms as they were two years ago.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 20: Brendon McCullum of New Zealand plays a shot during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between England and New Zealand at Wellington Regional Stadium on February 20, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LET’S hope the Kiwis quickly got over their Cricket World Cup final defeat and aren’t as benevolent as they were two years ago.

With an Ashes tour looming large, the Aussies could certainly do without a repeat of the Black Caps’ efforts on their last tour of England.

In a quirky repeat of the 2013 tour schedule, New Zealand gets another chance to soften up the Poms ahead of the visit of Michael Clarke’s team in a two-Test series starting next Thursday - ironically at the same two venues - Lord’s and Headingley.

On recent form it wouldn’t be beyond the Black Caps to cause an upset.

England had Brendon McCullum’s measure in 2013.

After all it was only three months ago that the Kiwis inflicted one of the most one-sided wins in ODI history on the hapless Poms.

New Zealand went on to win every game en-route to the World Cup final before coming undone in the decider against the Aussies while the Poms went home early, humiliated and in disgrace.

But two years ago the Kiwis were seriously poor and handed the Poms a healthy dose of confidence ahead of the five-Test Ashes, which of course they would go on to win, later in the northern summer.

Stuart Broad took 12 wickets, Joe Root hit 243 runs and even Alastair Cook was made to look good as England won by 170 runs in London and then 243 runs at a rainy (surprise, surprise!) Leeds.

Broad then went on to take 22 wickets against the Aussies while Root came of age with a knock of 180 in the second Test at Lord’s.

Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill were almost unstoppable during the World Cup.

It was a series where Brendan McCullum scored a mere 31 runs, Martin Guptill just four and Kane Williamson’s bowling proved more decisive than his batting. For goodness sake. they were bowled out for 68 at Headingley.

All three players were exceptional during the World Cup but will need to handle the frequent showery, forever damp, swinging conditions better than they did in 2013.

The Kiwis - minus their batting stars - began their tour confidently enough by beating county side Somerset. With captain McCullum back from his IPL stint, they will put their finishing touches on their Test preparation against Worcestershire - rain permitting - this weekend.

Guptill, who is no guarantee for the final Test XI despite his ODI heroics, is recovering from a side strain suffered during his county championship stint with Derbyshire.

He hasn’t played a Test for nearly two years but, if given the chance, told stuff.co.nz that the Poms can expect some fireworks.

“I sort of (took ODI mindset) in for Derbyshire in the few innings I had,” he said.

The Aussies will be hoping both he and McCullum can dish out the same punishment on Broad and Jimmy Anderson that they did in Wellington back in February.

Originally published as Ashes tour: Aussies hoping Kiwis more helpful against Poms than two years ago