Cook expects hard work against NZ at Headingley

LEEDS, United Kingdom (AFP) –

England’s Alastair Cook bats during the third day of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s in London on May 18, 2013. Cook believes Headingley will be far from the bowling-friendly ground of old when the second Test against New Zealand starts on Friday.

England captain Alastair Cook believes Headingley will be far from the bowling-friendly ground of old when the second Test against New Zealand starts on Friday.

England shot out the Black Caps for just 68 in their second innings at Lord’s last week to set-up a 170-run win which put them 1-0 up in a two-match series.

Stuart Broad, with a Test-best seven for 44, and James Anderson — who took his 300th Test wicket at Lord’s — did the bulk of the damage.

But Cook said Thursday he did not expect the new-ball duo to have things all their own way on a Headingley pitch once renowned for aiding seamers.

“Over the last couple of years there have been some high-scoring games here and it’s quite similar to Lord’s,” Cook told Sky Sports News. “If it’s sunny it can be a nice pitch to bat on and we will have to work hard in every session.”

Before their Lord’s encounter, England had been held to a 0-0 draw in a three-match Test series in New Zealand.

And last week’s clash at Lord’s saw the Black Caps push England hard until an hour before lunch on the fourth day when they collapsed to 29 for six.

“If you look at it without the emotive side of last week’s game, it was nip and tuck for three days,” said opening batsman Cook. “We had to work very hard in those three days to get ourselves in a position to win the game.

“We piled through that door pretty hard in the end — but we know how hard and tough this New Zealand side are.”

New Zealand are pondering a recall for former captain Daniel Vettori, out of Test cricket for nearly a year because of Achilles trouble, after fellow left-arm spinner Bruce Martin suffered a tour-ending calf injury at Lord’s.

“He’s been an absolute stalwart for New Zealand. He’s a very tough competitor,” Cook said. “We’re looking forward to locking horns again with him, and he brings some added quality and experience to the New Zealand side.”

The Headingley clash will be England’s last Test before they begin the defence of the Ashes, where they will be attempting to win a third straight Test series against Australia for the first time since the 1950s.

However, Cook insisted England were looking no further forward than this Test match with New Zealand.

“Winning is vitally important, we want to win every game and series we’re involved in,” he said. “That’s the challenge, we want to try and win. It sounds simple but it will take a lot of hard work.”