**Official** England in New Zealand

[_Ed_]

End of a very good innings from Bell. Well played.

 

[tooextracool]

Unfortunately another largely useless century in conditions that could not be better for batting will save Strauss once again from facing the cut. Looks like we'll be forced to endure more mediocrity against top bowling sides.

 

[_Ed_]

I wouldn't call it useless, he was part of a 187-run partnership that all but guaranteed England a series win.

 

[Flem274*]

Damn my net crashed and I have to start this damn post again. I'll shorten it.

Positives: Flat pitch, plenty of time, Fleming, How, Taylor, Vettori

Negatives: Ryan Sidebottom, the Matthews, Elliot, the new ball

We only have four reliable players and therein lies the problem. If they all make sizable contributions we'll make a decent score but really we can't expect them to do it all themselves. One or two of Bell, Sinclair, Elliot and McCullum need to pull finger with the bat and show some fight and heart. If Strauss can score runs on this pitch after his form then Sinclair and McCullum can. Expect Bell to attempt to hook a yorker however.

 

[tooextracool]

I wouldn't call it useless, he was part of a 187-run partnership that all but guaranteed England a series win.

Given the quality of the pitch and the pace of the bowlers, we could get Hussain and Atherton from the commentary box and they would have no problems scoring runs in these conditions.

 

[Flem274*]

I'm not sure how giving an honest assessment equates to throwing toys out of the cot? If you take your NZ eye-patch off for a moment and look at things objectively, you will also see that there is very little evidence to suggest our test batting lineup will compete in England especially with no Fleming.

I'm calling it as I see it mate.

Taylor, How, Ryder, Fulton might not have the records behind them but they are all good batsmen. This series has proved rep means nothing. They will score runs and the bowlers are pretty ****ing good. I don't think we'll win due to its inexperience, inconsistency and lapses in concentration but I do believe we will compete.

I'm not going to start packing a sad just yet. I see potential in our side. if you don't then hey, fine with me. You're entitled to an opinion.

 

[Flem274*]

Given the quality of the pitch and the pace of the bowlers, we could get Hussain and Atherton from the commentary box and they would have no problems scoring runs in these conditions.

Love this. A few NZ fans are resigned to a loss and some Englsih supporters are worried that we'll come from behind

I think England should give James Anderson a nice long bowl with the old ball TBH

 

[_Ed_]

NZ players absolutely ecstatic with that wicket...

 

[Flem274*]

Can I be bitter just for a moment?

England=flat track bullies

Thank you.

In all seriousness, anyone from either side (so yes including NZ for those who think I have the black eye patch on ) who hasn't scored much until this match will need to do it on more bowler favoured pitch before judgement can be passed.

 

[Days of Grace]

The only thing that will save me from topping myself after this match is over is a century from a NZ top 6 batsman. Of course, I would prefer Fleming above all else.

And at least 50 for Sinclair to save himself from the axe once more.

I also believe if Skippy gets to 50, he will go on. And on. And on.

 

[Flem274*]

Well played Andrew Strauss. Great innings under pressure. Showed some real toughness.












Prick.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

I also believe if Skippy gets to 50, he will go on. And on. And on.

......and on, and on, and on. Triple hundy?

Fleming needs 54 to reach an average of 40.00. He will score 47.

 

[James]

Does anyone know what happened at the tea-break with Stephen Fleming?

Crowe and Doull were saying he went off the handle about Crowe cracking a joke about him declaring when 274*.

 

[Flem274*]

The only thing that will save me from topping myself after this match is over is a century from a NZ top 6 batsman. Of course, I would prefer Fleming above all else.

And at least 50 for Sinclair to save himself from the axe once more.

I also believe if Skippy gets to 50, he will go on. And on. And on.

If Sinclair is anything like Craig McMillan he's gonna get a triple after all the media and public bagging he's copped.

I actualy think he'll be a great loss of talent for us. If he'd been technically sound he would have averaged around 45, he had such great potential. Please, PLEASE let today be the turning of the corner for him.

I doubt it will happen though but its a road and he's facing James Anderson and you never know, Sidebottom might die or something.

 

[Zinzan]

I'm calling it as I see it mate.

Taylor, How, Ryder, Fulton might not have the records behind them but they are all good batsmen. This series has proved rep means nothing. They will score runs and the bowlers are pretty ****ing good. I don't think we'll win due to its inexperience, inconsistency and lapses in concentration but I do believe we will compete.

I'm not going to start packing a sad just yet. I see potential in our side. if you don't then hey, fine with me. You're entitled to an opinion.

You're equally entitled to your opinion, but don't be alarmed if you get the reputation of possessing a black eye patch, particularly if you don't see huge problems with the strength of NZ's test batting lineup without Fleming,

Its not a matter of packing a sad. Its facing reality.

 

[_Ed_]

Oh dear.

 

[Halfpast_Yellow]

Does anyone know what happened at the tea-break with Stephen Fleming?

Crowe and Doull were saying he went off the handle about Crowe cracking a joke about him declaring when 274*.

So that's the person they were on about who couldn't take a joke?

wasn't paying close attention at the tea-break, AFAIK the joke was pretty std harmless fare.

 

[Days of Grace]

I'll pay 100 bucks for some **** to take out Sidebottom with some dodgy pills in his drink.

 

[James]

So that's the person they were on about who couldn't take a joke?

wasn't paying close attention at the tea-break, AFAIK the joke was pretty std harmless fare.

Yeah, apparently he took it really badly judging by what Martin Crowe was saying. Interested in more details.....

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ooops. Taylor shells a stiff one. Unlucky for Patel, He's bowled better than his figures suggest.

Fair play to Strauss. No better way to answer your critics (self included, I'm man enough to admit) than to make your best test score & register a maiden 150.