**Official** England in New Zealand

[KiWiNiNjA]

Meanwhile, Larsen added demand for tickets to the second test against England starting tomorrow has been phenomenal and two days of the match could be total sellouts.

I remember the Auckland ODI was gonna be a sellout, but it wasnt.

Anywho, whenever I have been to a test (or ODI for that matter) at the Basin it has been pretty empty, so it would be great if this was true.

 

[Athlai]

Better ****ing not be, haven't got a ticket yet.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Better ****ing not be, haven't got a ticket yet.

Don't worry mate, I am sure you will have no problem getting a ticket. They are probably just expecting a sellout, most of the crowd should be a walkup one.

 

[99*]

Better ****ing not be, haven't got a ticket yet.

Couldn't you just stay the night there? I remember two of my friends staying there for the night and watched the game the next day without a ticket. Or do they close it up for the tests?

 

[Roger Whitlock]

Surprised to see that Hoggy got the axe as well as Harmlesson.

Cherub Broad and Jimmy come in.

 

[Laurrz]

bahhhh i thought Harmy shoulda been dropped

but Hoggard????? bs........

 

[Bahnz]

I must say, that as a New Zealand supporter, I am absolutely fine with Hoggard being left out of the side. It'll be interesting to see how the new boys go. If England bowl first, Anderson in particular may prove quite a handful.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

I must say, that as a New Zealand supporter, I am absolutely fine with Hoggard being left out of the side. It'll be interesting to see how the new boys go. If England bowl first, Anderson in particular may prove quite a handful.

Yip. I am very happy with Hoggard being left out!

 

[Prince EWS]

Hoggard's axing based on one Test is completely and utterly ridiculous.

Good news for Sinclair though, I suppose.

 

[sportychic33]

Don't worry mate, I am sure you will have no problem getting a ticket. They are probably just expecting a sellout, most of the crowd should be a walkup one.

Most crowds for test matches in New Zealand are walk up so just get there early and stroll on up. The only tickets sold wil probably be the ones allocated to the English supporters.

 

[shortpitched713]

LOL at England dropping Hoggard. KP didn't score much either iirc, I wonder if it will be off with his head too?

 

[Burgey]

I'd have thought he'd have had more credit int eh bank (Hoggard that is) than this. He showed in Australia last year he's durable and is capable of bowling very well, even on featherbeds like Adelaide.

 

[Goughy]

Hoggard is a strange case.

In the 1st Test, when he hit his length he looked very dangerous. Unfortunately he did is so seldomly that few noticed and most of his bowling was pure dross.

There seems to be a feeling (that I dont share) that he doesnt have much left in the tank and in nearly finished.

Broad and Anderson eh? Christ.

 

[Burgey]

God, imagine if Anderson drops short on a low, slow pitch in NZ like he did at times out here last year.

I would have thought Hoggard would have been a better option, but who knows.

So now, none of the 5 bowlers who did so well just over 2.5 years ago in the Ashes series are playing for England. Giles usurped by Monty, Jones and Flintoff injured, now Hoggard and Harmison both dropped.

You'd have not thought it possible on that afternoon at the Oval, would you?

 

[Tim]

Not surprised about Harmison but Hoggard???? He could have been bloody dangerous on the Wellington pitch. The NZ team will be certainly happy about that.

 

[NZTailender]

Not surprised about Harmison but Hoggard???? He could have been bloody dangerous on the Wellington pitch. The NZ team will be certainly happy about that.

Yeah agreed. Harmison needed to be dropped but I've always thought of Hoggard as a "form is temporary class is permanent" type of player. He should be playing 10/10 times (if fit) for England.

 

[Flem274*]

A big let off for the Black Caps. Hoggard and Sidebottom would be bloody dangerous at Wellington. IIRC half the English posters don't really rate Anderson and Broad in tests am I right? If so then we only need worry ourselves with Sidebottom and Monty.

 

[Somerset]

I agree with everyone's response to the dropping of Matthew Hoggard, as impressive as Broad was at times during the ODI series I still think both he and Anderson are below Hoggard in terms of test match quality.

 

[four_or_six]

I can't believe Hoggard has been dropped. Our best bowler for years has one bad game, no-one's really knocking the door down for his place, and he's out.

His performances have been far better than Strauss, for example. Why are the batsmen always immune?

 

[chalky]

Can't believe Hoggard has beenn dropped, can understand Harmison who looks shot. Especially for an unproven Broad & Jimmy Anderson who wiith his current action will always struggle to take test wickets. Complete overreaction from the England management & looks like England are going back to the pre Duncan Fletcher era of change for the sake of it even it means bringing in an inferior player for a better one.

I hope Sidebottom has had plenty of rest I dare say he will be doing a lot of bowling in the next five days or so.