**Official** New Zealand in England

[Prince EWS]

Who's your pick to replace Martin in a couple of years?

Well, Franklin will be back soon, and Southee will probably get dropped when he's back to full fitness. I'd expect Southee to come back in once Martin retired.

 

[Leslie1]

Word is Franklin wants to be a batsman eventually and bowl less and less (like Oram). Is there any truth to this? It'd be a shame if that happens.

 

[_Ed_]

That would be silly, he wouldn't make the NZ team as a batsman/part-time bowler.

 

[Zinzan]

Anyone know whether Old Trafford is a good draining ground or not?

 

[Zinzan]

What's the weather forecast for this thing?

Not too flash for the 1st day, 90 % chance of rain

 

[Zinzan]

I can't see it happening, but I would like to see Mason given a crack on this bouncy Old Trafford surface. I'm not totally convinced he would be quick enough to be effective, but I'd be interested to see how he would go anyhow.

 

[Flem274*]

Word is Franklin wants to be a batsman eventually and bowl less and less (like Oram). Is there any truth to this? It'd be a shame if that happens.

I doubt it. Anyway we cannot let our best test seamer take that path. I'd like to see him improve his batting to the level of a number 6 though as Oram could get a career ending injury anytime.

 

[S.P. Fleming]

whats the weather like in manchester this morning?

 

[Spitfires_Fan]

Looking at the radar, it's a bit drizzly at the moment, but I think the sun is supposed to come out later. There will probably be one or two showers around today so I'm expecting some stoppages, but I reckon we'll still get a decent amount of overs in.

 

[S.P. Fleming]

ok thanks mate. lets hope we get some good cricket in aye, wouldnt mind seeing NZ bat first today.

 

[Richard]

Anyone know whether Old Trafford is a good draining ground or not?

No. Compared to Lord's, The Oval and all, it's abysmal, in fact.

 

[Leslie1]

So any bets on a rain affected test match and a draw beckoning. I'll be satisfied so long as one of our newbies score a 50 / 100 and then we draw.

 

[Zinzan]

No. Compared to Lord's, The Oval and all, it's abysmal, in fact.

Cheers

 

[Richard]

So any bets on a rain affected test match and a draw beckoning.

Certainly a decent possibility.

 

[Steulen]

BBC reporting that Southee is out and replaced by O'Brien.

 

[_Ed_]

Oh dear.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

BBC reporting that Southee is out and replaced by O'Brien.

GO'Brien! Hoping he can prove to the Haters that he's at least vaguely decent!

 

[Richard]

Aw, WHAT? WTF does Mason have to do?

I'm glad for Southee's sake he's out because I don't think playing these next 2 games would neccessarily have been good for him at all.

And I could understand it if O'Dir(Bri)en's First-Class record was obviously superior to Mason's - but it isn't.

 

[Days of Grace]

Aw, WHAT? WTF does Mason have to do?

Get with Bracewell in the showers??

He should ask the Marshall brothers for tips.

 

[Flem274*]

GO'Brien! Hoping he can prove to the Haters that he's at least vaguely decent!

Actualy agree with this. Both he and Mason have domestic records that are better than their compainions therefore they have alot more to offer than they've shown imo. Hopefully he puts the bouncer away, he isn't a short pitched style bowler from what I've seen. Pitch it up.