**Official** England in New Zealand

[Woodster]

Hoggard finding the edge. but lack of carry to Colly in slips, drops short.

 

[Richard]

Yeah, first genuine edge of the day.

Anyway, Harmison warming-up. This should be ITSTL.

 

[Woodster]

Yeah, first genuine edge of the day.

Anyway, Harmison warming-up. This should be ITSTL.

He'll make something happen, not entirely sure what.
Don't think Harmy will view the pitch as an ideal one for him, but I hope he fires it down and at least attempts to ruffle one or two feathers.

 

[Richard]

Oh dear, Ian Bell hit on the arm by a very powerful stroke from Matthew Bell. This doesn't look promising.

 

[TT Boy]

Wicket is shockingly slow. Harmison may have his work cut out getting anything from this surface. Looks like England will have to be patient for its breakthroughs.

 

[Pup Clarke]

BTW Liam - why the Ryder avatar?

Just that a change from Clark/Cigar was well overdue and Ryder is a nutter.

 

[Jamee999]

That looks sore.

 

[Richard]

James Anderson now at short-leg.

OK, Harmison on.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Like what I've seen from the NZ openers this morning especially How. Has all the tools really to be a reasonably good test match batsman IMO (plays very straight, takes good strides and leaves well).

How to score a century this innings.

 

[Richard]

How to score a century this innings.

That's a very big call.

Though he effortlessly pulls a short delivery from Harmison for a single in the opening over. Typical Harmison so far, though a bit slower than usual - short and smashed by Bell there. Now one down leg.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Hardly charging in is he

 

[superkingdave]

huge blow if Bell is injured imo.

Pressure already off NZ

 

[Richard]

Ah, Dav. You watching?

Bell blow didn't look good at all to me. Very worrying.

 

[Richard]

FFS, another one in the gap. Sidebottom rarely tends to be the most fortunate bowler.

 

[Richard]

And FFS, someone tell Bob Willis that Hoggard and Harmison are both rubbish ODI bowlers and are far better off for themselves and England not playing.

Harmison being slaughtered as usual here. That's often the cue for him to be gifted a wicket with a nothing ball...

And just as I'm typing that... yes, Bell slashes to fourth-slip!

 

[Pup Clarke]

Jammy bugger, good catch mind.

 

[TT Boy]

Meh, you make your own luck in life and at least Harmy pitched the ball up (unlike Hoggard and Sidebottom).

 

[Richard]

Harmison did nothing Hoggard and Sidebottom did not. The poor stroke just happened to be played against him - as often does happen to a bowler who's spraying the ball. Seen more cases of suchlike from Harmison than possibly anyone else.

 

[TT Boy]

huge blow if Bell is injured imo.

Pressure already off NZ

Now off to hospital for an x-ray.

 

[superkingdave]

Ah, Dav. You watching?

Bell blow didn't look good at all to me. Very worrying.

nah just on cricinfo...don't think there's much chance of me getting it on the hostel tv..might find a computer with audio later and listen to it though

needed that wicket..and we'll need more injudicious shots from the Kiwis i'd wager