**Official** England in New Zealand

[Raghav]

The situation is all set for Brendon McCullum to replicate the Nathan Astle inngs of 222 here. It would be a great time for NZ cricket if we win chasing such a mammoth total against England. I back Bell and How to put up a good opening partnership. Taylor is playing sensible cricket..thats welcoming aspect. Fleming needs to hang around and play for his average. This test match is nicely set-up and I hope NZ will make much out of this opportunity.

 

[Woodster]

There is absolutely nothing to gain, imo, in England batting on. Neither Panesar or Anderson are going to make much of a contribution in this last wicket partnership, if batting with a specialist batter, maybe. There is nothing positive they can achieve by going out there in the morning. All it takes is a short quick ball from any of the NZ attack to plunge us into trouble if it smacks into a bone. Let us concentrate on bowling NZ out and not waste anybodys time by the last pair strapping their pads on.

 

[PY]

Jeez, what a way to get injured. Gobsmacked.

 

[Woodster]

The situation is all set for Brendon McCullum to replicate the Nathan Astle inngs of 222 here. It would be a great time for NZ cricket if we win chasing such a mammoth total against England. I back Bell and How to put up a good opening partnership. Taylor is playing sensible cricket..thats welcoming aspect. Fleming needs to hang around and play for his average. This test match is nicely set-up and I hope NZ will make much out of this opportunity.

This is the kind of positive outlook I would have for England in a similar position. The track seems to be playing ok, there's plenty of time left so why not ?
Realistically and historically you would have to say, however, NZ have too much to do, and I don't believe they have enough quality to chase down such a total against a decent, if injury hampered, attack.
Fingers crossed for Jimmy's ankle!

 

[Jono]

There is absolutely nothing to gain, imo, in England batting on. Neither Panesar or Anderson are going to make much of a contribution in this last wicket partnership, if batting with a specialist batter, maybe. There is nothing positive they can achieve by going out there in the morning. All it takes is a short quick ball from any of the NZ attack to plunge us into trouble if it smacks into a bone. Let us concentrate on bowling NZ out and not waste anybodys time by the last pair strapping their pads on.

Bat on for 5 overs or so, and then you give NZ a quick change-over.

 

[Richard]

Highly, highly optimistic to think JMA and MSP can last 5 overs.

If they do bat on, it should be over within an over or two. I just hope (if they do) that it's a Jacob Oram over that it finishes in, the man's been criminally under-rewarded for his bowling so far this game.

 

[GIMH]

So what's the news on Jimmy?

 

[Magrat Garlick]

So what's the news on Jimmy?

Give the lad some sleep, ffs. It's four in the morning in New Zealand.

 

[GIMH]

haha silly me

little bit drunk tbh

 

[Woodster]

Bat on for 5 overs or so, and then you give NZ a quick change-over.

Not too sure that makes too much difference tbh. Their batsman are gonna be firmly concentrating on batting, a quick change over ain't gonna change that. Would back our bowlers to bowl NZ out regardless of a quick change over, probably cause as much disruption to us as it does for them. Concentrate on what we are going to do rather than worry about upsetting their preparation is my view.

 

[Richard]

haha silly me

little bit drunk tbh

At 6 o'clock? FFS. I mean, I know there's rugby on but still...

BTW, you'll be pleased to hear our predicted Brumby-out-on-the-lash of yesterday evening has indeed been postponed to today, to coincide with your own.

Off to the boozer for an afternoon of egg cahsing now, may log on later if I'm not too bladdered on return.

Hope you yourself are not "too bladdered" in 3 hours' time to note the cricket and post accordingly.

 

[GIMH]

I was told it was pretty much a given that we would declare overnight tbh, but I can't remember my source

 

[GIMH]

At 6 o'clock? FFS. I mean, I know there's rugby on but still...

BTW, you'll be pleased to hear our predicted Brumby-out-on-the-lash of yesterday evening has indeed been postponed to today, to coincide with your own.
Hope you yourself are not "too bladdered" in 3 hours' time to note the cricket and post accordingly.

LOL well mother-in-law has the kids, been the footy today so met the boys at midday...going out with the missus tonight, so will be in earlyish tonight and may well post while watching us win this Test

 

[Richard]

Concentrate on what we are going to do rather than worry about upsetting their preparation is my view.

Agree totally with that. One should always concentrate on their own strengths without worrying about whether it's going to impact upon the opposition's strengths.

For instance, to not prepare a dry, turning surface if your strength is spin because you are worried about the opposition's capabilities with a ball in condition to reverse-swing is madness.

 

[Richard]

LOL well mother-in-law has the kids, been the footy today so met the boys at midday...going out with the missus tonight, so will be in earlyish tonight and may well post while watching us win this Test

Your missus lets you go out on the booze of an afternoon before going out with her of an evening?

Mind, I dunno whether yours drives or not. Given the fiancee has never shown the slightest inclination to take a steering-wheel or push a pedal (at least, not a car pedal - she's good enough with bike pedals ) I tend to have to drive whenever we go anywhere, thus meaning I don't ever drink during the day.

Mind, TBH I can think of about 3 occasions in my life when I've put a drop past my lips before about 6PM. And pretty much none of these before getting back with her. So really, it doesn't actually matter much.

 

[GIMH]

Aye, AWTA, your strengths>the opposition's weaknesses

 

[GIMH]

Your missus lets you go out on the booze of an afternoon before going out with her of an evening?

Mind, I dunno whether yours drives or not. Given the fiancee has never shown the slightest inclination to take a steering-wheel or push a pedal (at least, not a car pedal - she's good enough with bike pedals ) I tend to have to drive whenever we go anywhere, thus meaning I don't ever drink during the day.

Mind, TBH I can think of about 3 occasions in my life when I've put a drop past my lips before about 6PM. And these all before getting back with her. So really, it doesn't actually matter much.

Well I always have a pint or two at the game, normally I come home to the kids though, not the case today so she doesn't mind me having a few more. We'll taxi out and back. It's all good.

 

[Richard]

Pah, taxis, worst thing. Easiest way to waste a tenner.

Reckon my shunning of taxis (along with not smoking and not playing fruit-machines and not having expensive taste and having a fiancee whose bank-account is only ever above £0 for a day or so) is the biggest reason I can spend 4 months unemployed and still have no financial worries at all anywhere on the horizon TBH.

 

[GIMH]

Well neither of us can drive. So a taxi will be about £4 there, bus would be about £2 each but take well longer so it's the best bet tbh

 

[GIMH]

Also, no kids and mortgage are probably the main reason you have no financial worries despite being unemployed LOL