England vs New Zealand - Spoilers

[deptfordmarmoset]

That was as close to not out as out could be. 5 down.

 

[rich p]

England looking down the barrel here!

 

[AndyRM]

Steady on, there's two days left. Patience and proper Test play should be enough.

 

[Dayvo]

338-6 with two days to go.

Magnificently balanced game. The Kiwis have to win to level the series, England, with the Ashes coming up fast, have to play positively, and with players (Ballance, Bell and Ali) not sure of their places, an intriguing six sessions (if it goes that far) awaits. Just hope the weather is cricket-friendly.

May the best/most adventurous team win.

 

[psmiffy]

Kiwis – 338 for 6 England trail by 338

England started well – Broad getting two for not many – but the Kiwis carried on as they were – Guptill 70, Taylor 48, McCullum 55 and Watling 100 – England bowled better but still too many 4 balls - bowlers still striving too much for the magic ball – Moeen not being able to exert any control – too many catches going down again

The question is how high does McCullum rate England – he has nothing to gain from anything other than a win - with two days how many runs will he want and how much time is he prepared to let England have – It could be that with the new ball coming up the decision may be taken out of his hands – or he might let things run their course – either way England will have to bat very well to get out of this with a draw - An England win would require that the new Messiah, the old Messiah and many other forms of the Messiah put in outrageous performances

 

[psmiffy]

and with players (Ballance, Bell and Ali) not sure of their places,

I think Ballance is pretty safe - his record of 4 Centuries and 3 half-centuries in 12 matches speaks for itself - Bell I think is getting past his sell by date - long periods without a decent score then a big one, not doing the business often enough but he will go into the Ashes series, Moeen, I think we have asked the question before, who would you replace him with? The obvious choice would be Tredwell - reliable old dog - but the Aussies have knocked him out of the team before.

I find it interesting that Buttler hasn't got much criticism for his keeping - he takes some good catches but his keeping is not as good as Prior's was when he was getting flak - I think this lot have to go into the Ashes more or less as they are - be interesting to see Mr Bayliss's take on the matter - but I think it will be too soon for him to make many changes - If England come good against the Aussies then the process of evolution will go on - If it is a disaster - as I fear - then the winter is probably the right time for a cull and risk a new leadership and new faces

 

[Ganymede]

I find it interesting that Buttler hasn't got much criticism for his keeping - he takes some good catches but his keeping is not as good as Prior's was when he was getting flak

I think this is because when he takes a good catch, it's usually a spectacularly good catch.

I thought it was a shame the England fielding let them down so badly yesterday - the bowlers must have been furious. Odd really as I feel catching and fielding has been a real strength in the recent past for England, and some of the individual catches (Stokes, Ali) have been amazing.

 

[User482]

Looks like another couple of catches missed this morning...

 

[Wafer]

I find it interesting that Buttler hasn't got much criticism for his keeping - he takes some good catches but his keeping is not as good as Prior's was when he was getting flak

I haven't seen any of it but based on some stuff on twitter, people don't seem to be talking about Buttler's keeping much at all, which Prior pointed out as a good thing as it means he's keeping well, which he agrees with.
If anything he's not scoring enough runs. Only 2 real contributions in the last 4 tests.

 

[AndyRM]

Just the one I think, and a bloody hard one at that. Would have been incredible if he'd held on to it.

Still, that's 4 over the match which really isn't acceptable. Our catching seems to be poor these days.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Indifferent light and the cold will affect the fielding so I'll cut them a little slack. I wouldn't like to face the Kiwi attack in these conditions either. I fear a skittling.

 

[psmiffy]

New Zealand 454 for 8 Declared

Absolute mayhem this morning - I think McCullum has got a soft spot for England - didnt want to see them suffer for any longer - Now to see if he deals the coup de grace in a timely manner

 

[psmiffy]

England 44 for 0 Trail by 410 runs

A good two sessions for England – The rain taking time out of the game – and the break will have given them time to get their heads better after being smashed about by the Kiwis yesterday morning – although I suspect WADA are not doing their job properly

Batsman Joe Root says England can do "something special" by chasing 455 to beat New Zealand in the second Test at Headingley.

The forecast seems to indicate that there will be play today – but how much – With a big total McCullum can attack as much as he likes and the conditions are likely to be helpful to the Kiwi bowlers - It will be a test of the England batting to get a draw – notwithstanding what has on before it will be an achievement – If the Kiwis bowl out England a drawn series (albeit a stupidly short series) will be well deserved.

 

[psmiffy]

England 62 for 4 - doomed

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

When does Bell end?