New Zealand cricket team in England in 2004 meant that Marcus Trescothick was named as the stand-in captain and Andrew Strauss was called into the team to make his debut. After scoring 112 in the first innings, becoming only the fourth player to score a debut century at Lord's, and 83 in the second, Strauss was named the player of the match. The opening match of the series was also significant because it was the final match of former England captain Nasser Hussain's career, he made 103 not out in England's second innings and hit the winning runs. The players of the series were named as Steve Harmison
Bangladeshi cricket team in New Zealand in 2007–08 on debut – offering any real resistance as Bangladesh made 137. Chris Martin took four wickets – ending the innings on 117 career wickets, 7th equal on the all-time New Zealand list with Richard Collinge – and Jacob Oram took three. In response New Zealand overtook the total on the first day, reaching 156/4 by stumps. The innings was led by Matthew Bell, playing his first test since 2001, who was 74 not out at the end of the first day's play. He reached his second test century in the morning session of the second day before being dismissed by