Second test: England v New Zealand

['sladegull]

me and my big mouth

say it again ...say it again...before its rained off

 

[Beach Hut]

Early lunch as rain...............

 

[spring hall convert]

We've consistently been over cautious under Flower, first with Strauss as captain & now with Cook. It's pretty much my only issue with the guy.

Still, we look in good shape for the Ashes now. Great to have Swann back, all the bowlers have wickets. The batting looks a little frail, Bell needs a decent series as there are quite a few queuing to take his place now. Having Pietersen back would be very handy but not essential IMHO.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

We've consistently been over cautious under Flower, first with Strauss as captain & now with Cook. It's pretty much my only issue with the guy.

Still, we look in good shape for the Ashes now. Great to have Swann back, all the bowlers have wickets. The batting looks a little frail, Bell needs a decent series as there are quite a few queuing to take his place now. Having Pietersen back would be very handy but not essential IMHO.

Pietesen will be straight back in, probably at Bairstow's expense. Compton is probably on his last life though. Fail in the first test, and expect to see Root promoted:

Cook
Root
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Bairstow
Prior
Broad
Swann
Finn
Anderson

 

[Beach Hut]

Still raining

 

[spring hall convert]

Pietesen will be straight back in, probably at Bairstow's expense. Compton is probably on his last life though. Fail in the first test, and expect to see Root promoted:

Cook
Root
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Bairstow
Prior
Broad
Swann
Finn
Anderson

Yup, the only dilemma is Compton/ Bairstow. Finn's performance in this test has put any talk of Bresnan to bed by the looks of it.

 

[Pavilionaire]

That decision to bat on after lunch yesterday is one of the worst judgement calls in English test history that I can remember.

The way I see it the bowlers are more likely to get injured from a muscle pull following a Day 5 on/off/on/off scenario than if they had enforced the follow-on. It would be ironic if one of the quicks wasn't properly warmed up and picked up an injury now.

 

[chucky1973]

We've consistently been over cautious under Flower, first with Strauss as captain & now with Cook. It's pretty much my only issue with the guy.

Still, we look in good shape for the Ashes now. Great to have Swann back, all the bowlers have wickets. The batting looks a little frail, Bell needs a decent series as there are quite a few queuing to take his place now. Having Pietersen back would be very handy but not essential IMHO.

who? KP apart?

 

[Triggaaar]

Both Cook and Trott - with his average saving go slow - should be hauled over the coals for this. Disgraceful.

Hauling over coals may be harsh, but it certainly is disgraceful.

That decision to bat on after lunch yesterday is one of the worst judgement calls in English test history that I can remember.

Given that we wanted success with the new ball, I can understand an argument for not enforcing the follow on, as our opening bowlers would have been tired. I'm more annoyed at our early run rate, and the ridiculous 468 target. We could have scored quicker, declared with a lead of 400 and had a few more hours at NZ.

 

[spring hall convert]

who? KP apart?

One of Compton/Root/Bairstow will be dropped. James Taylor was next in line not so long ago, Perhaps I overegged it slightly, still think Bell finds himself in a position, once again, where he needs runs to justify his selection.

 

[keaton]

who? KP apart?

Taylor? That's probably it.

If KP's not fit, i'd keep the team as it is and if he is i'd include Bell in the process of who to drop out. Root is our middle order at the moment, I don't know if i'd move him for the sake of it with Bell being in such ropey form as well

 

[keaton]

One of Compton/Root/Bairstow will be dropped. James Taylor was next in line not so long ago, Perhaps I overegged it slightly, still think Bell finds himself in a position, once again, where he needs runs to justify his selection.

Root is safer than Bell

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Given that we wanted success with the new ball, I can understand an argument for not enforcing the follow on, as our opening bowlers would have been tired. I'm more annoyed at our early run rate, and the ridiculous 468 target. We could have scored quicker, declared with a lead of 400 and had a few more hours at NZ.

EXACTLY correct, to my mind. NZ should have been batting 20 minutes before lunch yesterday, chasing 400.

 

[dougdeep]

Covers coming off.

 

[dougdeep]

In play. NZ 219/8

 

[Beach Hut]

220/9

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Another terrific catch, that.

 

[Beach Hut]

Aghh dropped catch

 

[dougdeep]

Cook gets lucky.

 

[Beach Hut]

Captain Cook not Cock-Up, win for England