Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Cricket] Cricket- New Zealand v England Test Series- November 27-December 13 2024
- Thread starter Eeyore
- Start date
To be fair to him, all of England's batters have looked on borrowed time so far.
- Apr 5, 2014
- 26,343
- Thread starter
- #63
Fair point, well made. Duckett heading to 50, looking like getting out every ball
Change at Barnham
Well-known member
If you’re just waking up, it could have been a lot worse.
After a dodgy start Brook and Pope dug us out of a dee hole.
After Pope was dismissed to a stunning catch, Brook and Stokes are building another partnership.
England 296/5 trailing by 52 runs.
After a dodgy start Brook and Pope dug us out of a dee hole.
After Pope was dismissed to a stunning catch, Brook and Stokes are building another partnership.
England 296/5 trailing by 52 runs.
Man of Harveys
Well-known member
Dropped catches, excellent batting. Entertaining stuff.
- Apr 5, 2014
- 26,343
- Thread starter
- #66
I went to bed at 77-4, expecting a follow on
To be fair he has never made a a first class hundred and has never batted at 3 before. So he was on a hiding to nothing.
Got to feel for pope. Brook was dropped a clanger by Phillips and then 3 other times. Pope gets caught by Phillips for an absolute worldie.
Unbelievable catch
On the other hand, cut the ball in the air through gully and you can't be too surprised if a fielder catches you out.
I was just watching some highlights on youtube*. His first two boundaries were a cut along the ground straight past the gully fielder, and a cut deliberately lifted over the same fielder's head a few balls later. Both very similar to his dismissal, but controlled and safe.
*They will presumably have been the English language Indian highlights, based on the start times that briefly flashed up. The official NZC package only show two balls of Pope's innings, his 50 and his dismissal
.Edit: Just saw a slightly longer edition of the NZC highlights. Jumped to a random point around the middle of the day, and literally the first ball I saw was Pope cutting the ball in the air past Philips at gully when he was on 20. I'm starting to think he was lucky to not be caught out earlier, rather than being unfortunate to be out from a screamer.
Last edited:
He never gives you the feeling of someone like ponting who some days you just thought “not getting him out today”
But his average is insane.
- Apr 5, 2014
- 26,343
- Thread starter
- #72
Yes. Pointing is an interesting comparison. There were just some Aussies that once they got past 20 you thought they were there for the duration
I've decided O'Rourke's first name is "Laing" and I'm not interested in being told this isn't true.
- Apr 5, 2014
- 26,343
- Thread starter
- #74
He was born in Surrey and spent his first few years here. I'm surprised Slurry didn't add him to their farm.
I guess you don't need to be there for that long if you're consistently scoring at 5 an over.
I think he's technically our best batter aside from Root, and maybe Stokes when he's in all out block mode. It'll be interesting to see how he goes when he plays on pitches with a bit more pace and bounce in them, he's somehow contrived to only play tests in England, Pakistan and New Zealand.
To be fair, given the choice between living in Surrey, and living
ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
England all out for 499, a lead of 151. I'm going to bed. What will I wake up to? 
- Apr 5, 2014
- 26,343
- Thread starter
- #78
I don't think I agree he is as good technically. I think he has the best eye though.
I think technique is perhaps a subjective thing. I'm an old dinosaur and wince at some of the shots. I've been like that forever.
Ironically, I think Pope has great technique, possibly the best, but some kind of mental block. Much like Ramprakash, who was the best batsman in England for quite a while but didn't cut it at Test level.
All about opinions, mind.
With Pope, I think you're confusing looking good when he bends his knee into a cover drive with having a solid technique. I'd say he borders on being a complete mess who's streaky as anything even at his best. That said, I tend to agree that "good technique" is largely subjective, and I'd add that the only real measure of it is how many runs somebody scores over time.
I do think it's a bit unfair to compare Pope to Ramprakash, he's been significantly more successful than that.
Having just had a look, it's notable how rarely Brook gets out for an out and out low score. He's only been out for 0 once and that was when Root ran him out without facing in the run chase on our last tour to NZ. If he had a dodgy technique, I'd expect him to be more vulnerable early on (which contrasts to Pope's spread of scores, which tend much more towards the all or nothing). Having said that, if the Kiwis had taken their catches he'd be having a dodgy run since the 2nd match in Pakistan.
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
stats.espncricinfo.com
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
stats.espncricinfo.com
Edit: that'll do, I'm off to bed.