English media: Black Caps are under-prepared

New Zealand's Mark Craig catches a ball during a nets session at Lord's. Photo / AP

English media have labelled New Zealand as under-prepared for the two test cricket series which starts at Lords tonight.

They have also been dubbed as the game's most popular team, but without any bold predictions over whether the Black Caps will be lovable winners or losers.

Perhaps reflecting the state of English cricket, the fleet of former players writing in British papers do not see a lack of quality build up as a major problem for New Zealand.

Brendon McCullum has dominated previews of the contest, with the spotlight also falling on quick bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult. McCullum's attacking captaincy and his team's lack of histrionics, as one writer put it, had made them cricket's darlings of the moment.

Vic Marks, in the Guardian, said McCullum's side were "utterly under-prepared...half have only just arrived."

History - New Zealand has won just three of 34 series against England - suggested the Kiwis faced an "almost hopeless task" but he was certainly not writing them off.

Also in the Guardian, Mike Selvey said New Zealand's lack of first class cricket in the lead up was not such an issue in "the age of adaptability." They were riding a wave of confidence and "arguably the best side they have ever produced."

The Independent's Nick Knight referred to New Zealand as "cricket's most popular team".

Jonathan Agnew from the BBC said the late arrival of players was a chink in the armour but "I don't see that affecting them too much."

Southee and Boult would merely move from using the "swinging white ball to the swinging red ball."

Agnew wrote: "On top of their ability, New Zealand are immensely popular because of the way they play the game. It is positive and uncompromising, but within the right sprit and free from histrionics."

There was little concern among the writers about England's lack of a head coach, nor any emphasis on New Zealand's traditional problems at opener, or the rise of Kane Williamson.