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England in New Zealand 2007-08

Spin always the gameplan - Bracewell

Cricinfo staff

March 10, 2008

	Jeetan Patel performed a key role in the first Test alongside Daniel Vettori © Getty Images

Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel left England's batsmen almost scoreless for long periods and Bracewell said that it was always part of New Zealand's gameplan to target what he sees as one of England's weaknesses.

"I don't think we'd have played two spinners if we didn't think that - it's as simple as that," he said. "It's something that's not normally done in New Zealand [playing two spinners] and it's an opportunity we took and I think it paid off.

"It would be nice to have a similar surface in Wellington because I think it's a pointed difference between the two teams. The big difference of having a left and right-handed spinner with clear foot marks to operate in gave the variation that some turned and some didn't and consequently put pressure on."

Bracewell also praised his team's attacking intent and says they will carry on the same way for the rest of the series. New Zealand juggled their batting order in the second innings, promoting Brendon McCullum to No. 5, and although the tactics didn't pay off as they collapsed against Ryan Sidebottom and Monty Panesar, it sent a clear signal to England. Then, on the final morning, Vettori decided to declare rather than watch his final pair potter around at the crease.

He says there won't be an temptation to sit back now they have a 1-0 series lead, but expects England to come back at them very hard. "I don't think we know anything different. We have very few draws in test cricket these days because of the way we play our cricket.

"We make no apology for that. It's the saviour of Test cricket that there are results and intrigue over the last couple of days. You never defend the scoreboard. We're looking to compete in every match, we've just got to get the skill base to compete over long periods of time.

"I expect them [England] to come back at us enormously," he added. "When you look at them collectively they're an enormously strong side - they just didn't play as well as we did in that Test match."

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