Bowled over by NZ

Video Blog: Great scenery, good food, an England series win...? Beefy has seen it all in New Zealand.

Fine wine, great food, plenty of fishing... Ian Botham has certainly enjoyed his visit to New Zealnd this winter. And thanks to the efforts of Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell on the third day in Napier, he might go home having witnessed England's first series win on overseas soil for three years. Speaking in his skysports.com video blog, Beefy praised Strauss and Bell for the centuries which put England 501 runs ahead in the third Test and he now fully expects the tourists to go on and wrap up the series. "This is my last blog, but what a pleasant one to have to do," he said. "Andrew Strauss was under the cosh and looking down the barrel of being dumped from the England side. "And what does he do? He battles it out to go 173 not out and put England 501 runs ahead. "Ian Bell was magnificent at the other end. He played free and flowing and that's how we like to see him. "England should win this game now." Botham also reserved praise for the country of New Zealand, saying the people are friendly and the countryside is spectacular. He continued: "As it's my last blog I'd like to pay tribute not only to the England team and the New Zealand team, but to New Zealand itself. "What a wonderful country we've got here. We've been very lucky to come down here and enjoy it. They're the friendliest people you could ever wish for and it's pretty spectacular. "The wine, the food, the hospitality, the fishing; it's got everything. "And hopefully an England win to wrap up the series." To see Beefy's Video Blog list in full, click on the video link at the top-right of the page.