**Official** England in New Zealand

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Well I guess:

How, Papps, Fulton, Taylor, Ryder, Oram, McCullum, Franklin, Vettori, Mills, Martin.

As the starting eleven, with Hay, Southee, Hopkins, Gillespie, Cumming making the trip over. Patel unlucky but not expecting a deck that suits him and Vettori in England?

Sinclair and Bell have played themselves out of consideration. Oram has to get fit/good at batting again in a hurry, hope Ryder and Franklin are fit.

I'm with Zinzan, there isn't much to inspire confidence in that lineup :/

 

[Woodster]

Looking forward to this next session and whether we actually attempt to up the rate a little. Could be an important innings for Bell, not just how many scores, but whether he can actually dictate the play, an area he has been criticised for not doing in the past. He has looked in very good nick today so far.

Fair play to Strauss in this innings. While I am not a big fan of him batting at 3 (or in favour of him playing the home series) he's shown a fair amount of character and I hope he gets a ton.

Top catch by Taylor to remove KP who was beginning to look a little ominous for NZ.

 

[GIMH]

What do we think we need to score here?

 

[GIMH]

Vettori bowls too many no-balls

 

[Zinzan]

Talk about throwing the toys our of the cot. I think we will compete. I also think the batting will improve once we get rid of our free wickets. Fleming will be a loss but I have confidence in the newbies. Peter Fulton reminds me of Fleming alot, Taylor and How have improved vastly and Hay looks the goods so far at FC level, deserves a shot.

We have plenty of middle order strength, the big problem is who opens?

TBH Mark O'Neill should run an openers clinic before the tour. Get How, Bell, Papps, Cumming, Guptill, McIntosh and Ingram in there and teach them technique. Use How as an example of decent technique. Its no coincidence that since he tightened up his defensive game his batting has improved.

Our big threat is the bowlers. Mills, Martin, Vettori, Southee, Franklin, Patel. Oram can bowl well in favourable conditions as well.

Furthermore, Who of the batsmen aside from Fleming would make the English test side?The only one you could possibly argue is How over Strauss, and I think you will find England will find an able replacement for Strauss unless he scores 100 in this game anyway. Taylor may have had a promising series, but you still wouldn't have him replace anyone from England's middle order of Bell, Pietersen or Collingwood

 

[Richard]

Well I guess:

How, Papps, Fulton, Taylor, Ryder, Oram, McCullum, Franklin, Vettori, Mills, Martin.

As the starting eleven, with Hay, Southee, Hopkins, Gillespie, Cumming making the trip over. Patel unlucky but not expecting a deck that suits him and Vettori in England?

Sinclair and Bell have played themselves out of consideration. Oram has to get fit/good at batting again in a hurry, hope Ryder and Franklin are fit.

I'm with Zinzan, there isn't much to inspire confidence in that lineup :/

Isn't Ryder ruled-out of the tour for certain?

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Taylor may have had a promising series, but you still wouldn't have him replace anyone from England's middle order of Bell, Pietersen or Collingwood

I would, on potential.

 

[Richard]

Vettori bowls too many no-balls

Way, way too many. And that most recent 1 cost him 5 runs.

 

[Woodster]

Providing we bat long enough, I would set them around 450-500, and leave ourselves 5 sessions to bowl them out.

 

[Zinzan]

I would, on potential.

Your joking yeah? Instead of who, Bell, Pietersen or Collingwood ?

 

[Richard]

What do we think we need to score here?

TBH, I reckon another 80 or 90 and in my head I think we're in an almost impregnable position. But anything less than 400 and I'll feel far from safe-and-assured in my heart.

Fabulous stroke from Bell. EDIT: make that 2 fabulous strokes, 1 four and 1 six.

 

[Richard]

Your joking yeah? Instead of who, Bell, Pietersen or Collingwood ?

I really believe Taylor will probably be a better Test batsman than Collingwood, but right now I'd have no hesitation in picking Collingwood.

 

[Woodster]

Lovely drive from Bell and than an exquisite piece of timing in lofting the ball for six off Patel with a gentle flick off his legs. Good positive stuff from Belly.

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Isn't Ryder ruled-out of the tour for certain?

The commentators were banging on about it earlier. Apparently he is due to be fully recovered around about the time the IPL guys would arrive late to the tour. Hence Ian Smith's opinion he should be taken along...

 

[Days of Grace]

Our big threat is the bowlers. Mills, Martin, Vettori, Southee, Franklin, Patel. Oram can bowl well in favourable conditions as well.

Yes, but the threat of the bowlers is totally wiped away by our poor batting.

The last two tests have showed: whatever England make, they will bowl us out for 50-100 less.

First innings batting performances are a BIG worry for us.

 

[JBH001]

Bell looks like he is imposing himself alright so far.

Hopefully he can carry on.

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Haha loving this commentary atm.

 

[Zinzan]

Isn't Ryder ruled-out of the tour for certain?

My understanding is that he is definately ruled out of the tests, but may be an outside chance of making it back in time for the ODI's

 

[Zinzan]

I really believe Taylor will probably be a better Test batsman than Collingwood, but right now I'd have no hesitation in picking Collingwood.

Precisely

 

[Richard]

FFS, is there ANYONE who's ever suggested to Vettori "might be an idea to move your front-foot back fella! You don't get anything from that extra 10cm!" That's another 5 runs he's just cost himself.

Lead coming on nicely now, 4-an-over+ in the session so far.