Heroes of Napier to face Kiwis

England have opted to pick the same side who fought back from 1-0 down to win the Test series between the two nations earlier this year in New Zealand.

That means that there is no place for bowler Matthew Hogard in today's team.

In his absence, England's bowl attack will be led by player of the year Ryan Sidebottom and supported by Nottinghamshire seamer Stuart Broad, Lancashire's James Anderson and cult spinner Monty Panesar.

All-rounder Paul Collingwood has declared himself fit after having a third injection in his injured right shoulder and he will be expecting to help out in attack.

"It is going to be the same team that won our last Test in Napier," said captain Michael Vaughan. "Hopefully, it will be a similar performance and a similar result."

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has not been picked, owing to injury, but he said on Wednesday that he remains hopeful of making a Test comeback this summer, despite a series of setbacks.

Flintoff had been expected to return to the line-up, but he strained his side playing for Lancashire last week. The 30-year-old had been making good progress after having a fourth operation on his problematic ankle last autumn.

"I still feel my best years are in front of me," said Flintoff. "That's not just something I say in interviews. I definitely believe it. Everybody is always going to ask about my ankle and how I'm going on, but I've just been regarding myself as a fit player.

"Even when I was getting ready to go to Dubai with the Lancashire lads for our pre-season tour, the operation had been that long ago that I'd almost forgotten it.

"I know it's a cliche, but let's just take it day by day," he added.

"I've felt OK in the early stages after my previous operations and I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a niggling little bit of doubt in the back of my mind somewhere.

"After four operations, I think that is inevitable. But I just hope that in July, with 150 or 200 overs under my belt, I will still be all right."

Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori has declared himself fit to lead out his side on Thursday after having stitches a one of his fingers last week.

Although batting is not a problem for the 29-year-old, his spin bowling might be slightly hampered, though he got through bowling pratice satisfactorily on Wednesday.

His return, after missing the contests against Essex and England Lions, and that of fast bowler Kyle Mills are the two anticipated changes after the Kiwis named a 12-man party.

"I have got through the last two trainings," Vettori said. "Obviously, I would have loved that warm-up time in the games at Chelmsford and the Rose Bowl.

"That hasn't been the case, but it is feeling okay. It is not perfect, but it should be fine.

"Batting won't be an issue at all. It is just in the worst possible place for a left-arm finger spinner. It has healed really well. It still has a little way to go, but it should be fine to bowl."