Cricket

[ainsworth74]

That constitutes worrying, stop it! NZ will bat till the end of the day and we'll bat a day and half, then NZ will come out knock it around for a bit till we all decide to give up and wait for the next one. You heard it here first!

 

[Cab2Cab]

That constitutes worrying, stop it! NZ will bat till the end of the day and we'll bat a day and half, then NZ will come out knock it around for a bit till we all decide to give up and wait for the next one. You heard it here first!

MMMMM! Not sure, next 2 sessions will decide it, Rutherfords in, taylor and mcullum can be explosive.

Poor old Monty, nobody wants to bat with him,

I love watching tailenders bat especially when they have the chance to beat there best scores, Love to see Monty in the 20's (5 edged 4's).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Did England not perform badly in the first match of a recent series, only to turn matters around in the following matches ?

 

[ainsworth74]

Paul is on the same wavelength as myself it would seem

 

[Searle]

Did England not perform badly in the first match of a recent series, only to turn matters around in the following matches ?

I think I heard the fact that in the past four series, England have lost the first test. In one of them we went on to lose everything, in the other three we brought it back for a win or a draw. A bit of hope!

 

[ainsworth74]

Forget the last four series that's just our style generally! Either lose the first test or do really badly and salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat. Cardiff 2009 being a good example of this (for which I still think Monty should have been man of the series!). You know that's probably something they should work on really

 

[Searle]

Rain Stopped Play a little while into the last session of the day, at about 2:50 GMT. Makes a draw look even more likely

Think that's it for me tonight then, not much point in staying up now (and I have an early lecture!)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

New Zealand now 402 - 7 after 108 overs. Whilst his line and length were as much astray as others in the early part of the ininnings, James Anderson did at least dismiss four of their first five batsmen. He has done this quite a few times before, leaving the other bowlers then to concentrate on the middle and end order batsmen.

However one has to ask which of the two sides adjusted their batting technique to allow for the condition of the pitch after the moisture ingress that occurred on the first day.

 

[andrew bell]

If there is going to be any chance of a positive result in this match then NZ only have 1 option, declare at 2050 GMT (ie 10 mins before play starts) then they will have 6 sessions to bowl us out again then, if needed, score the runs required.

Unfortunately the weather could dent those ideas, which is a shame for NZ.

I heard on TMS either on day 2 or 3 that England, in their last 13 series (or tours, can't remember), have only won the opening game once, against Bangladesh

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

If there is going to be any chance of a positive result in this match then NZ only have 1 option, declare at 2050 GMT (ie 10 mins before play starts) then they will have 6 sessions to bowl us out again then, if needed, score the runs required.

Unfortunately the weather could dent those ideas, which is a shame for NZ.

I heard on TMS either on day 2 or 3 that England, in their last 13 series (or tours, can't remember), have only won the opening game once, against Bangladesh

Yes, I think this is the best option for NZ - altho' McCallum could blast a quick 50 if he wanted more runs. odd watching the morning session, can hardly recall a ball actually beating the bat! This test has brought Joe Root down to earth, very impressed with him so far, but an awful shot in his innings and dropping a straightforward slip catch...slips don't look so good without Strauss/Collingwood/Swann from a couple of years ago!

 

[Ivo]

Rain Stopped Play a little while into the last session of the day, at about 2:50 GMT. Makes a draw look even more likely

From an English perspective, a draw is a good result at the moment.

The fact about the last few Tests is right and will probably be playing on Cook's mind - it's not over until it's mathematically over. Indeed, the British Bulldog spirit that ainsworth74 alluded to - I think that Cardiff Test was the first time everyone in my family (as opposed to just me and my brother) was actually interested in watching cricket! - can serve to bring about an adequate or better result from seemingly nothing.

Or maybe the rain will save us

Seriously though, England are up against it. We might have to settle for an unwanted five-in-a-row...

 

[LE Greys]

Michael Vaughan had an opinion piece in the Torygraph where he seems to think that England had just not 'switched on' quickly enough. I can see what he's getting at, they just seem to have taken too long to get themsleves going in virtually every series for the last decade. I can't remember when England last won the first Test of an away series, but it was a long time ago.

Anyone know a good rain dance?

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

I can't remember when England last won the first Test of an away series, but it was a long time ago.



I think that it was Dec 2004 v South Africa {disregarding Bangladesh) - given the amount of tours that they have these days, generally two in a winter, that's quite some time ago!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just looked in at 0010 British time

New Zealand....460-9 declared

England (Second Innings)....54-0 (21 overs)

 

[Searle]

I have no idea why I'm up this late, but it seems like we're set for a draw. About 90 minutes until close of play on the 4th day and we're 211-0. Cook's just got yet another century and Compton looks like he's on his way to one as well. Either this is gonna be a draw or NZ are gonna have an epic slog to win!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Close of play

England 234 - 1 (87 overs). They lost Cook just before stumps but by that time, England had amassed 231 for the opening partnership:-
Cook 116.
Compton 102 not out.

 

[Ferret]

A good recovery. And an ideal time for Compton to make a century!

 

[Cab2Cab]

Hi,

Could be a interesting last day, hopefully not (fingers crossed),the game might revert to a 20/20 game, I think McCullum would fancy that and NZ has still got some big hitters in their test team.

Come on the Lions

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Time for England to show grit and determination in their batting on the next day.

 

[andrew bell]

It is a shame day 1 was completly washed out because this would be a very interesting test match with all 3 results at even, but with losing the best part of 4 sessions there is realistically 1 outcome, a draw.

England will not declare tomorrow (or tonight if you want to be technically correct) unless NZ need 300+ in around 30 overs, which I doubt will happen.

I also hope this debate between whether Nick Compton should open will stop, the England management believe he is good enough for test matches but is either down the order or not quite good enough for limited overs cricket, Joe Root has shown he is good enough (in his young career) to perform in all forms of the game. Jos Buttler is a capable replacement for anyone but I feel while Matt Prior is performing as well as he is then Buttler will be taken as a replacement keeper, just like Jonny Bairstow.

The only thing I have to disagree with about the build up to the test matches is the lack of matches we played, 1 four day game in 10 days, surely we should of played either 2 three day games or 3 two day games with the test squad (majority of them) playing in game 1, and if any of them failed with bat or ball then play them in 2nd 3 day game with the 'reserves' so everyone has some time 'in the middle'

 

[LE Greys]

A good recovery. And an ideal time for Compton to make a century!

His first Test century as well. He was eventually out for 117. Excellent performance.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just looked in at 0310 our time

England (2nd innings)...410-6 after 161 overs.

Finn as nightwatchaman scored 56. Bell and Prior now at the wicket.

This means a lead of 117 runs at the present time.

 

[andrew bell]

England 167 & 421-6 drew with New Zealand 460-9. Play finished 15 overs early as the laws state the teams can agree a draw with a minimum of 15 overs remaining.

 

[Searle]

Bit of a dull result in the end but an expected one. I can finally go to sleep as well, after forcing myself to see it out to the end!

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Bit of a dull result in the end but an expected one. I can finally go to sleep as well, after forcing myself to see it out to the end!

Well done for staying up! Didn't manage to do so myself....at least the game was saved by the time I fell asleep. I wish England wouldn't do this, although I follow cricket as much as I can, I'm not sure that other teams put their fans through such pain with such regularity!

 

[ainsworth74]

Told you all it'd be a draw! Oh ye of little faith

Still, good knocks from Compton and Finn.

 

[Ferret]

Steve Finn's first ever first class 50! Didn't see that coming!

 

[andrew bell]

Steve Finn's first ever first class 50! Didn't see that coming!

Nobody did at all, but his innings done a very good job for England, used 203 balls (or 33 overs and 5 balls) and help get England out of what looked a tricky situation after day 2

 

[Searle]

Steve Finn's first ever first class 50! Didn't see that coming!

The best bit was going 75 minutes without a run

 

[Ferret]

The best bit was going 75 minutes without a run

He seemed quite solid in defence when I was watching, but didn't seemed to have all that many shots in his armoury! Still, he did a fine job.