Regards the possible teams named above I'd be surprised if the selectors picked a specialist (well sort of) opener in Redmond and then didn't play him. But then with the mob running NZ cricket perhaps I wouldn't be surprised.

The XI I'd like to see at Lords (from this squad) is 1. How, 2. Redmond, 3. Fulton, 4. Taylor, 5. Oram, 6. McCullum, 7. Vettori, 8. Mills, 9. Southee, 10. Gillespie, 11. Martin

I'm sure Oram through to Mills can all bat a spot higher than they do which leaves space for an extra pace bowler or if conditions suit a second spinner. Giving Vettori plenty of options and cover incase a paceman has a bad day. The only danger is the good old NZ top order collapse leading to a full collapse as there's slightly less batting depth. However that happens at the moment anyway and I'd rather have a nextra bowler who can contribute more to the game than a mid order bat who will throw away the third wicket with some rediculous shot selections.

Having said all of that the side we're likely to see is in fact 1. How, 2. Redmond, 3. Fulton, 4. Marshall, 5. Taylor, 6. Oram, 7. McCullum, 8. Vettori, 9. Mills, 10. Southee, 11. Martin.

Well Gillespie, Mills and Southee haven't bowled at Lords before and they might take a while to get used to the slope.

The first team looks better to me, and it definitely looks like Redmond's going to open instead of Marshall. Either way, How will be the most experienced specialist bat. Bizarre.

I would have thought Styris was a better batting option in the test squad than some listed in it notably How.

I think Styris retired from Tests last year after getting dropped- a shame, becuas he's a much better player than Bell, Sinclair and Marshall.

How might not be as good as Styris either, but he looks solid and dependable to me, and can hopefully fulfil that Atherton role for New Zealand. He's 26 I think, and Redmond's 28, so both have a bit of time to establish themselves.

Good luck to them, I personally would be talking to him about reconsidering that retirement.

He's making a truck load in the IPL, because he's not in the test side he can play the full tournament and get paid all his money unlike the other kiwis who only get a proportion and have to go to England on Wednesday.

Bracewell is thinking of opening with McCullum in the Tests.

They arrived today, well the ones not at the IPL

Well both Redmond and How got off to a good start, making 72 and 46 respectively. Funny, but I can't think of one enduring partnership between New Zealand openers that I've seen. Greatbatch, Young and Horne never really played together regularly, nor did Richardson and Vincent, and I can't think of any others who've played for New Zealand with any sense of permanance.

There is talk that McCullum could fly back to India and play in the IPL between the 2nd and 3rd Tests.