[Cricket] 1st Test: England vs New Zealand @ Lords

[pasty]

God only knows where this team would be without Joe

 

[Bold Seagull]

God only knows where this team would be without Joe

They'd be fielding!

 

[Titanic]

Ben Stokes 51* (55 balls, 9 fours)

 

[Eeyore]

Right, you're at the end of the oppositions innings, its intense, you're rotating bowlers, thinking about plans, trying desperately to get the final wickets. 10 mins later your batting.

I bet both Cook and Strauss's averages dropped after captaincy. Vaughan dropped to no.3.

For me, I just think an opener needs to focus so much more than any other batsmen as they're straight out. Every other batsmen has the luxury of getting a cup of tea and getting in the zone on the balcony.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying openers haven't made good captains like Mark Taylor, I just don't think it's ideal.

It tends to work one of both ways, but I think that is true of a captain in any position. Graham Gooch's average as skipper was phenomenal, he thrived on it. I agree with what you say about bowlers though.

 

[Titanic]

England 153-4 (36.2 overs)

Root 61* Stokes 61*

This is a great effort from 30-4

 

[Triggaaar]

England 153-4 (36.2 overs)

Root 61* Stokes 61*

This is a great effort from 30-4

 

[spring hall convert]

Where was Stokes born?

 

[Titanic]

Like Sir Geoffrey, I don't believe in the 'commentators curse... it's just bunkum!'

 

[Titanic]

Where was Stokes born?

Christchurch (not the one in Dorset).

 

[Bold Seagull]

England 153-4 (36.2 overs)

Root 61* Stokes 61*

This is a great effort from 30-4

Most impressive is that it's not just been a recovery, it has completely knocked NZ out of their stride. It's not been survival by these two, it's been attacking. 79 off 75 for Stokes, 61 off 92 to for Root. Great work.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I fancy we'll lose the Ashes 3-1, Cook will resign as captain and Root will take over straight away. A good start would be to refer to the Director of Cricket as Mr. Strauss and not Straussy.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Stokes - 15 off the over. Like Machan on acid...

 

[spring hall convert]

And to think we didn't take this guy to the World Cup.

 

[Titanic]

England 182-4 (40 overs), Root 61*, Stokes 89*

152 partnership (27.3 overs)

10 off that over, 25 off the last 2!

 

[pasty]

Current partnership 152 runs, 27.4 overs, RR: 5.52 (Root 57, Stokes 89)

 

[Simster]

Lovely stuff. Exactly the sort of batting we are used to seeing* with England. :claps2: :claps2:







*when they're playing in a limited over World Cup group game and bowling against Holland, Ireland or Bangladesh.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I'd say this partnership has pretty much brought England back to parity in the match. Root, Ali, Stokes, Buttler looks like a useful middle order - it's just a shame the top three have proved so flaky.

 

[Simster]

Should Ian Bell be worrying about his place?

Recent test scores:

India: 7
WI: 0,0,1,143,11
NZ: 1

With one notable exception, that is not even dodgy, that is rabbit-esque.

 

[Titanic]

Bowled 'im.... Stokes shoulders arms... Craig strikes for NZ
Stokes out for 92 (94 balls, 15 fours, 1 six)

England 191-5 (44.1 overs)

 

[pasty]

Oops. Unlucky Ben

Stokes b Craig 92

191/5