New Zealand revel in the ideal amuse-bouche before the main course in Southampton

NICK HOWSON AT EDGBASTON: Stand-in skipper Tom Latham is like the cat who got the cream after the stand-in skipper helped secure a first series win in England since 1999

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PLAYER RATINGS: Matt Henry and Devon Conway star as England's young batters struggle

New Zealand complete thrashing of England to claim series win

Well that was disappointing, wasn't it?

"Both sounds pretty good."

It isn't in New Zealand's nature to be comfortable being bullish. But at last, they can realistically target coming away from this tour of England with a series win over the hosts and the inaugural World Test Championship title in their back pockets.

Having dictated long periods of the first Test and dominated the second, securing a 1-0 series win inside the first hour of the third day, it is hard to think how their preparations could have gone much better.

All the batters have had time at the crease and runs in the bank, the bowlers each have overs in their legs and wickets in the bag. Kane Williamson and BJ Watling have even been given extra time to recover from injuries. All the while, India are playing intra-squad matches.

"They're tracking reasonably well," said Latham, just the third stand-in captain to win a Test in England. "It was important for them to get some rest to ensure they were fully fit going into next week. 

"I am sure they'll go through all the fitness testing protocols they need to over the coming days in order for them to be ready to go. Fingers crossed we'll have a fully fit squad."

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Latham hit the winning runs

That the Black Caps take a slice of history to The Ageas Bowl is not lost on Latham and co. Twenty-one years have past since the last time they prevailed on these shores when Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle made the difference.

Having made six changes from the first Test it is hard to think of a time in the Kiwis' recent history - sparked by a conversation within the leadership group seven years ago when a new philosophy was drawn up - when they have had more depth across the whole team. The race for selection for Southampton is now a genuine sprint.

"It has been well documented: 99 was our last time that we won here," added Latham, who hit the winning runs but will hand over the leadership to Williamson next week. "And we have been here a couple of times over recent years and haven't quite got the rewards we wanted. 

"For us to come here and play a good brand of cricket is outstanding and certainly an achievement worth celebrating. 

"Around the world nowadays winning away from home is not easy. For us to come here and pull this off is a great achievement. It is certainly very exciting but we know we have a huge Test match coming up in a week's time."

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