Contented NZ seal win as Craig takes five

New Zealand took just over 90 minutes to get their tour underway with a 66-run victory at Taunton and their coach, Mike Hesson, delivered a calm message of confidence to the gathered press leaned up against a white picket fence. The contrast with the England set-up could not have been more stark.

The umpires here, Neil Bainton and Steve O'Shaughnessy, were the latest to express their praise for New Zealand's attitude and professionalism, qualities that have endeared them to the world over the past 18 months. They made an efficient job of taking the remaining four wickets on the final morning and the temperature even jumped several degrees to leave the tourists happy with their opening fixture.

"It was a little scratchy at times but there were enough good things," Hesson said. "The tempo with bat was good and some of the guys got runs. But I thought with the ball we were a bit inconsistent."

That was a fair reflection for a final-day session that began with a wicket from the second ball but saw James Hildreth go through to a third century of the summer and Tim Groenewald smash his way to by far his best first-class score for Somerset.

Mark Craig took three wickets to finish with 5 for 34. "The ball didn't really spin until he bowled," Hesson said. "He was the only one to turn it off the straight and got good turn and bounce, generally out of the footholes, and always looked a likely threat.

"He's a wicket taker but occasionally leaks runs. He'll be better off for this, having not bowled for at least two months. Mark will be playing for us in the Test no doubt so it's a matter of him getting into good rhythm and being confident."

Doug Bracewell will also hope to play in the first Test, which starts in ten days' time. He got the morning off to a perfect start, trapping Josh Davey lbw, but he was outbowled by debutants Jacob Duffy and Ben Wheeler in the match, both of whom impressed Hesson.

"I was delighted with them," Hesson said. "Jacob swung the ball from straight which is a good skill. He was nervous but he will be pleased to get through that first game. Ben was outstanding. He didn't bowl a bad ball in his first spell and created a lot of opportunities. He even came back and went well with the old ball so it's a good start for him."

Hesson confirmed that Duffy and Wheeler would not remain with the squad beyond Thursday's second warm up at Worcester but Mitchell Santner, who made a second-innings 94, is part of the one-day squad. "Mitchell played at a great tempo in tough conditions and we also saw what a powerful striker he is so hopefully we'll see some of that in the one-day series."

Martin Guptill is on course to return from injury at New Road but the arrival of New Zealand's six IPL players remains unclear. Fast bowler Matt Henry has been released by his franchise but Brendon McCullum, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson may not be granted early release, with their franchises in position to quality for the semi-finals. They could arrive just two days before the first Test.

But there are no such worries for Craig's preparation. He is on course for Lord's with a fine second innings return here where he gained turn and bounce. He forced a misjudgement from Craig Overton who trod on his stumps trying to pull, turned one past the inside edge of Groenewald's drive after his entertaining 37-ball 47, where he struck five sixes, and finally ended Hildreth's stay when he edged a cut to the keeper.

Hildreth at least provided some positivity for the hosts, who slipped to their fourth successive defeat. This, his third first-class century of the summer, left him 222 runs shy of 1000 before the end of May. He has two more Championship matches to reach the landmark.

He delayed Somerset's defeat with a stand of 72 for the eighth wicket with Overton. He essayed a cover drive that didn't require a moment's thought of running and then hooked Neil Wagner for six over square leg. Another hook of Bracewell was not as well controlled but still found the fine leg boundary. His next four, a very well timed tuck through square leg, brought up a 117-ball century and at least something for the locals to smile about.