**Official** England in New Zealand

[Richard]

And here's the bad news: the Umpires for this match are Howler Harper and Dreadful Davis.

 

[Richard]

Im struggling to find a stream for this game. Getting desperate

Sorry for breaking the rules, but MSN me if anyone knows of one on goughy@cricketmail.net

There are legal streams y'know fella.

Not that I know any, I hasten to add.

 

[Richard]

Hoggard looking good in his 1st over too - but Bell scores NZ's first runs of the series.

 

[Richard]

Having watched Australia field like they did in the ODI against India this morning, I hope England take their fielding to another level today. Good, sharp fielding really can set the tone for the bowling side, and I'm looking at players like Collingwood, Pietersen and Bell in particular to be right on top of NZ, giving them nothing easy and making them earn every run (tight bowling of course helps here),
Clarke and Symonds were awesome in the field, throwing themselves around, combining well, and forcing opportunities for run outs that left even Mark Nicholas struggling for superlatives!!

Different game, Test cricket, of course, but good fielding never hurt anyone indeed.

Well, the early signs aren't promising: Harmison, Vaughan and MSP in the covers. Possibly the worst ring I've ever seen.

Atherton offering comparisons with 1994\95, when as now the best athletes are the best catchers, and Gooch, Gatting and Malcolm were in the ring.

 

[Laurrz]

carn poms!!

 

[Richard]

You're supporting us hey L? ITSTL.

BTW, the Gilchrist bit of your sig is a tad out-of-date.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Immaculate from Sid so far.

 

[Richard]

Like how Hoggard's going so far - making sure to mix-up all he has the power to mix-up.

Bell and How are also playing well, taking good strides to most deliveries.

BTW Liam - why the Ryder avatar?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

And here's the bad news: the Umpires for this match are Howler Harper and Dreadful Davis.

I'm not umpiring this one... am I? If so, I'm in the wrong City and need to get up to Shamilton pretty quickly.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Watchful stuff from the NZ openers. 6/0 from 6 overs.

Sidebottom appreciably quicker than Hoggard nowadays. Can't be too many quicks who get faster as they get older.

 

[Richard]

I'm not umpiring this one... am I? If so, I'm in the wrong City and need to get up to Shamilton pretty quickly.

No, you're not, as I imagine you'd probably be Deceptively D-ire Dreadful Davis. I was talking about Steve Davis. We have two Australians, both of whom are renowned for their dubious decision-making.

 

[Woodster]

Well, the early signs aren't promising: Harmison, Vaughan and MSP in the covers. Possibly the worst ring I've ever seen.

Atherton offering comparisons with 1994\95, when as now the best athletes are the best catchers, and Gooch, Gatting and Malcolm were in the ring.

Couldn't believe when I saw Harmy swooping at cover point!!
Colly in the slips, KP in gully and Belly at short leg means there are plenty of singles on offer for NZ!

 

[NZTailender]

Actual test cricket versus quality opposition. Loving it. See you guys later for comments

 

[Richard]

Sidebottom appreciably quicker than Hoggard nowadays. Can't be too many quicks who get faster as they get older.

Sidebottom was never slow, but there's almost no doubt Hoggard's recent injury troubles have slowed him down a little.

 

[Richard]

Actual test cricket versus quality opposition. Loving it. See you guys later for comments

You're not around this morn?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Sidebottom was never slow, but there's almost no doubt Hoggard's recent injury troubles have slowed him down a little.

Ha. I recall you disputing he was capable of bowling at even 82-3mph not so very long ago.

 

[Richard]

So do I, s'matter of fact. Can't recall where exactly, but I had indeed thought Sidebottom had lost pace perminantly (definately saw him struggling to hit 75mph at the end of a long day in 2005) having been bowling in the mid-80s in 1999 and 2001.

But he hasn't, evidently.

First boundary of the innings, day, match and series. Unconvincing mind.

 

[Woodster]

Bowling with a bit of decent pace these days Sidebottom. Lively,shall we say.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

But he hasn't, evidently.

Theres a difference bowling for England than just another county game. Not to mention he will play a lot less cricket now than he did as a county player.

 

[Richard]

Hoggard and Sidebottom not making maximum use of this swing TBH, far too much too wide.

Bob Willis putting out the usual Sky rubbish about why Harmison (who is and always has been, even in his stupidly good spell in early 2004, useless with the new-ball) should bowl with the new-ball. Nasser Hussain injecting an amount of sense.

And there's the 2nd boundary, Bell's 1st. Followed immediately by another from How, best shot of the day by far.