KEY POINTS:
New Zealand accused England A of adopting a negative mindset after their four-day tour cricket match in Southampton ended in a draw this morning (NZ time).
Having been set a challenging 368 off a minimum of 75 overs for victory, the tourists settled for a draw after they finished on 201 for four.
It denied New Zealand a second successive victory following their 92-run defeat of Essex last week as they turn their attention to the first test against England starting at Lord's on Thursday.
New Zealand vice-captain Brendon McCullum, leading the side in the absence of injured skipper Daniel Vettori, believed the England A tactics were negative and spoiled a potentially good finish.
"There are contrasting views on the game and I think at times you have to risk losing to win a game," McCullum told reporters.
"It was not so much the total they set us but more the manner in which they set their fields and used their bowling rotations which I thought was a touch negative."
However, with openers Jamie How and Aaron Redmond both scoring half-centuries during a 150-run opening stand and most New Zealand bowlers - with the exception of calf-strain victim Iain O'Brien - getting a good workout, McCullum was satisfied with their four days at The Rose Bowl.
"I think this was a thorough workout leading into the test match," he said.
"I think we got through some pretty sound work for the bowlers and the batsmen really put their hands up and took their opportunities.
"Hopefully we lead into the test match with some real confidence after this display."
McCullum confirmed Vettori has had his stitches removed from his left index finger, which forced him to miss the England A match, and was hopeful of being fit for the test.
England A captain Rob Key praised the work of Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who took three wickets in four overs to keep New Zealand in check.
"They probably won the first day, but from then on we were pretty much on top, almost, and it would have been pretty interesting to see if we had another day to go," said Key, who nevertheless believed the inexperienced tourists were adjusting well to English conditions.
"They're certainly an improving side, I think.
"They're just a very well drilled outfit who stick to their plan pretty well and its our job to negate that and try to be as positive as you can - they know their game and they just stick to it and it's whether or not you're up to it."
Otago opener Redmond rounded out an excellent preparation for his test debut with 64 to follow his 146 in the first innings.
Redmond has batted for 18-1/2 hours in the four leadup games, scoring 361 runs at an average of 60.2.
How reached a tour-high 74 to take his tally in England to 191 runs at 38.2 while likely test No 3 James Marshall was the only other batsman with decent time at the crease, having scored 196 runs at 39.2.
Of concern is the form of Ross Taylor, who fell for a duck this morning and has scored just 26 runs in four innings since arriving from the Indian Premier League.
Daniel Flynn was likely to debut and bat at No 6 below McCullum at Lord's yet has had limited time at the crease, compiling 64 runs at 21.3.
The most successful bowlers on tour with seven wickets each are seamers Michael Mason (average 14.4) and O'Brien (20.6) yet they are unlikely to make the test cut.
Chris Martin (six wickets at 30.2) will probably be joined by Tim Southee (six at 35.8) and Kyle Mills (three at 25.7).
Jacob Oram (five at 21.4) will fill the allrounder role while spinner Jeetan Patel, who has claimed just two scalps at 137.5 runs each, will make way for Vettori if the captain is cleared to play.
SCORECARD:
England A
First innings 280
New Zealand
First innings 273
England A
Second innings 360
New Zealand
Second innings
J How st Prior b Rashid 74
A Redmond c Hoggard b Rashid 64
J Marshall lbw b Tremlett 15
R Taylor lbw b Rashid 0
B McCullum not out 21
D Flynn not out 6
Extras (12b, 9lb) 21
Total (for 4 wkts, 60 overs) 201
Result: Match drawn
- NZPA
