England vs New Zealand - Spoilers

[Dayvo]

Oi, come back...

Sounds a good match on TMS - oh FFS here's Tuffers and his whiny voice

Blimey, you're a hard man to please.

Who do you want commentating? Brian Bloody Blessed?

Plenty of Scots in the Kiwi squad:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-new-zealand-2015/content/squad/858251.html

 

[psmiffy]

I agree with PS's quote of the 'brave new world' crop of players. If we could get a decent captain (ie a tactician AND capable with bat and/or ball) and a couple of real quicks, then we've got the basis of a promising team.

Just keep No (hair) Herr Strauß away from the team.

So far in the "brave new world" Morgan has won one lost one (while going down fighting) and scored 50, 88, 66* - Strauss's appointment has coincided with the revival so until I see some signs that he is having a negative impact (and I suspect he had a big hand in packing off the likes of Anderson, broad, bell et.al off on R&R to Clacton or wherever it is that resting crickerters go) I will give him the benifit of the doubt - so back off Essex boy

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Blimey, you're a hard man to please.

Who do you want commentating? Brian Bloody Blessed?

Plenty of Scots in the Kiwi squad:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-new-zealand-2015/content/squad/858251.html

The jump from Henry Blofeld's voice to Phil Tufnell's voice is quite a large leap for my delicate ears.

Ben Stokes is a Kiwi in the England team...balances out the Saffers a bit I suppose.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Morgan gone. He's useless

 

[Dayvo]

So far in the "brave new world" Morgan has won one lost one (while going down fighting) and scored 50, 88, 66* - Strauss's appointment has coincided with the revival so until I see some signs that he is having a negative impact (and I suspect he had a big hand in packing off the likes of Anderson, broad, bell et.al off on R&R to Clacton or wherever it is that resting crickerters go) I will give him the benifit of the doubt - so back off Essex boy

The wool's been pulled over your eyes!

Yeah, I suppose I'll have to allow him to get warm in his big nobber's chair before I judge him too much. I hope I'm wrong and he turns the three different forms of international cricket around for England.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Ed Smith says "Buttler is a phenomenal talent. One of the best I have ever seen take the field for England", seconds before he gets caught behind

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Ed Smith says "Buttler is a phenomenal talent. One of the best I have ever seen take the field for England", seconds before he gets caught behind

And this time it's Isa Guha's turn:
""It has been sensational stuff from Sam Billings, who is having some fun out there. He is freeing his arms and playing with the bowlers. This is the beauty of the brand of cricket England are playing. He can come into the game and play without fear of failure."...Guess what happened a few balls later?

 

[Dayvo]

New Zealand require another 17 runs with 5 wickets and 32 balls remaining. Exciting

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

 

[Dayvo]

Was Dan the man playing? And in black!

Seemed like a thoroughly deserved win. England didn't bat the full 50 overs and dropping catches seems to be catching.

2-1 to NZ and off they go to Trent Bridge.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Was Dan the man playing? And in black!

That's a pic of me in my back garden...

 

[Dayvo]

Back in black!

This looks a bit like you!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Here's the real photo before marmy photoshopped it...

 

[Wafer]

More good progress by England, another close defeat to a good odi side, yes should bat the overs etc... But going to support them to play better cricket rather than criticise for having a go.
Finally seems people are talking about the cricket rather than kp. Strauss done pretty well so far, hopefully he can now just sit in the background having sorted out a few problems.

 

[psmiffy]

It is Wednesday it is Trent Bridge – Kiwis up by one two to go

On Sunday it would seem the Brave New World became unravelled – After the early wickets of Roy and Hales - Root 54 Morgan 71 and Stokes 68 seemed to put it back on track but were unable to go onto big scores – Billings with a cameo of 34 – however then the inning died out with 4 wickets for 14 – with importantly nearly five overs left – Scoreboard pressure batting first????

The Kiwis lost Guptill and MCullum early on but with the arrival of Williamson 118 and then Taylor 110 it never really looked in doubt that the Kiwis would win - the late wickets of Elliot Santner and Ronchi did add a bit of tension but with an over to spare the Kiwis were comfortably home.

So what do we get today – I hope more of the Brave New World – however, it is not just enough to provide a spectacle – it is sport – I want my side to win – to my mind whilst we seem to have a set of players with skills more suited to the one day format – however-there is still not the flexibly in the mindset - no plan B – on Sunday when Rashid was out – why was there not a little voice (or even a big voice with a dry pair of gloves) saying eh up lad be better to better to bat it out and get 30 or 40 more – what Im hoping to see today is more of the Brave New World but maybe when necessary a hint of pragmatism when it is necessary.