An upbeat England go into the series-deciding final Test against New Zealand tomorrow with an added bonus after New Zealand lost two frontline bowlers to injury.Winning the second Test in Wellington on Monday to level the series had already put a spring in the England step and helped paper over batting short-comings. But if the expected the flat McLean Park wicket was incentive enough for England’s out-of-sorts top order, the news that New Zealand had lost allrounder Jacob Oram and opening bowler Kyle Mills sealed their confidence. They have been replaced by two debutants — 19-year-old Tim Southee and South African-born all-rounder Grant Elliot.But this does not hide the fact that England’s recognised batting establishment have not been able to kick on after getting a start. Paul Collingwood, who scored two half centuries in Wellington, said England have tried to downplay the batting frailty.In the New Zealand squad, in addition to the withdrawal of Oram and Mills there is one non-injury change with off-spinner Jeetan Patel brought back at the expense of seamer Mark Gillespie. England were waiting on Friday for the results of a precautionary scan on Collingwood’s left calf before confirming their squad.
