**Official** New Zealand in England

[wpdavid]

WoW, that 1978 game was fascinating.

Which game are they showing?

 

[Richard]

Same ground, same teams. Lord's, England vs New Zealand.

 

[Richard]

I think 4 down was our minimum requirement if we want to win the game. Given the strength of NZ's lower order, even that might not have been enough. As it is, it's going to take something astonishing for NZ to lose this now, and I don't think England have anyone good enough to make that happen. I still think it was poor captaincy to leave Anderson on as long as he did: 90 minutes or so is a heck of a long spell. Probably not the deciding factor though.

If Strauss had caught that chance from How we might just still be in a decent position.

 

[Athlai]

...If Vaugan had been rightfully given out LBW we might be in that position.

If if if.

 

[Richard]

Well, I doubt it TBH, but it's certainly far from impossible.

I think, if you look, I've said NZ were damn unfortunate with that should-be dismissal - several times - haven't I?

 

[Athlai]

Doesn't mean I'm not bitter about an attacking position in an away Test match.

 

[Goughy]

Well...I hope Redmond will learn a lot from this match.

He will learn what its like to enter the history books as a Test cricketer.

He must be laughing all the way and at least its a good story to tell the grandkids.

I know I complain a lot about English selectors but if I was a Kiwi Id have led a revolution by now.

 

[wpdavid]

Same ground, same teams. Lord's, England vs New Zealand.

I had to look it up, and even then I didn't remember much of it. Maybe I was on hols or something, plus the series was already decided by then. Still, Beefy & Willis skittling NZ for 67 must have been worth watching.

 

[Richard]

He will learn what its like to enter the history books as a Test cricketer.

He must be laughing all the way and at least its a good story to tell the grandkids.

I know I complain a lot about English selectors but if I was a Kiwi Id have led a revolution by now.

Grant Elliot was a far worse pick than Redmond TBF. And I hope Redmond gets this series.

 

[Goughy]

Grant Elliot was a far worse pick than Redmond TBF. And I hope Redmond gets this series.

Yeah I know. Thats why its a problem. This isnt just 1 strange selection

 

[Richard]

I had to look it up, and even then I didn't remember much of it. Maybe I was on hols or something, plus the series was already decided by then. Still, Beefy & Willis skittling NZ for 67 must have been worth watching.

Unfortunately we only got the odd stroke from Gower (even that little is always worth watching - the power he hit the ball with compared to others is astonishing viewed from 2008) and a few remarkable balls from Willis, Hadlee and Botham - more than half of which were viewed from behind the wicketkeeper.

Anyway, anything is fun. Never seen a thing from that summer before. Another thing that's fascinating is how close the slips were standing even to the considerable (presumably 92-3mph) pace of Willis.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I think 4 down was our minimum requirement if we want to win the game. Given the strength of NZ's lower order, even that might not have been enough. As it is, it's going to take something astonishing for NZ to lose this now, and I don't think England have anyone good enough to make that happen. I still think it was poor captaincy to leave Anderson on as long as he did: 90 minutes or so is a heck of a long spell. Probably not the deciding factor though.

NZ's lower middle order is countered by their top 6, 3 of which are still to get out yet. Given the way NZ are playing Panesar (ooh lets play for tons of spin off straight deliveries) there's not a great amount of security in their batting.

According to cricinfo there's 74 (scheduled) overs left so NZ need to survive maybe 40 of them which isn't a given.

 

[Richard]

Given the way NZ are playing Panesar (ooh lets play for tons of spin off straight deliveries)

Despite the fact the pitch is offering more than a little turn for Panesar as it did for Vettori. Thus making both bowlers fairly dangerous (despite Vettori's figures flattering him).

 

[Athlai]

Unless NZ collapse for under 150 to chase with more than one session to go. I'd say your pretty optimistic to think this English batting line up (KP excluded) has the fire and brimstone to chase anything down in this late stage of the game. If time hadn't been lost to the rain thats a completely different story.

 

[Richard]

Well, there's some justice - Broad eventually gets How. Good catch from Cook this time. Will that lost time, as well as the 22 extra runs, prove costly to the team though?

 

[wpdavid]

NZ's lower middle order is countered by their top 6, 3 of which are still to get out yet. Given the way NZ are playing Panesar (ooh lets play for tons of spin off straight deliveries) there's not a great amount of security in their batting.

According to cricinfo there's 74 (scheduled) overs left so NZ need to survive maybe 40 of them which isn't a given.

What are they right now - 70 runs ahead?
40 overs at at 3-an-over would leave us chasing 190 in a little over 30 overs. Not sure about that.

30 more overs at 3-an-over may be chasable though. 160 in 40 shouldn't be beyond us.

 

[Richard]

As of the How wicket it's 73 ahead. 69 overs left (that's including the 2 that'll be lost for change of innings).

Flynn needs to be disposed of very quickly if this charge is to continue. Off-the-mark with an edged three 1st ball.

 

[Athlai]

What are they right now - 70 runs ahead?
40 overs at at 3-an-over would leave us chasing 190 in a little over 30 overs. Not sure about that.

30 more overs at 3-an-over may be chasable though. 160 in 40 shouldn't be beyond us.

McCullum should take care of that IMO.

 

[Richard]

If he doesn't get caught trying to play one of the shots that will be required to achieve said rate, that is.

MSP almost gets Flynn, just over short-leg.

 

[GIMH]

So...if we get them all-out and it's set for a tight chase...bump KP up to 3?