**Official** New Zealand in England

[Richard]

Ambrose should've 'ad 'im.

 

[Richard]

Well, some swing 2nd ball with the new one (1st ball was way too short). Taylor rapped on the pads by a very straight one, which fortunately for him was too high.

 

[steds]

Ball being changed again. This is weird how many cricket-balls have gone out of shape this season.

Get made out of Plasticine these days, I reckon.

 

[Richard]

If Anderson get get the outswinger-to-the-left-hander going, he has to get around-the-wicket ASAP.

Aaaaaaaand guess what? It's raining.

Stedmeisters, how has that rain in St.Helen's ended-up?

 

[chalky]

Yup. I suppose the absolute dream scenario now that he's playing again is Jones plus Flintoff, SB & Panesar. Probably more chance of the Beatles reforming, I suppose. Hoggard's an interesting one - me & Richard were discussing him the other day, in particular his average of 35 over the last 2 years compared to 25 in the 2 and a half years before that. My take on the matter is that he'll spare us Anderson's absolute direnes when out of sorts, but I don't see him taking many wickets against SA & Aus over the next yar or so.

I would want Hoggard back for South Africa if only to embarrass Graeme Smith if nothing else. I suppose the crux of the matter is wheather Hoggard is on the slide or if he is just going through a poor patch caused by injury & lack of bowling. i would go for the latter.

 

[Richard]

This Taylor is indistinguishable from the Taylor who turned-up at Lord's.

 

[NZTailender]

Showing the replay of a Taylor drive. Looks faaaaaaantastic!

 

[NZTailender]

This Taylor is indistinguishable from the Taylor who turned-up at Lord's.

Lesser batsmen would still be doing what they did. Shows his class, IMO.

 

[jammay123]

This Taylor is indistinguishable from the Taylor who turned-up at Lord's.

boycott must have got to him

 

[NZTailender]

Welcome to interntional cricket, Daniel Flynn.

 

[chalky]

Sconed him looked nasty

 

[Richard]

Ouch, Flynn hit by Anderson. Shades of Ponting circa '05.

 

[jammay123]

first attacking stroke flynn attempts all series and jimmy whallops him

 

[Richard]

Argh, that is nasty indeeed. Thought the days of whacks in the mouth and blood and teeth were gone TBH.

 

[wpdavid]

I would want Hoggard back for South Africa if only to embarrass Graeme Smith if nothing else. I suppose the crux of the matter is wheather Hoggard is on the slide or if he is just going through a poor patch caused by injury & lack of bowling. i would go for the latter.

I would imagine that Smith would rather face Anderson than Hoggard. Depends how much we make of Flecther's observation that Hoggard has 'lost his nip'.

 

[Nate]

Crap me. Tooth and all.

 

[chalky]

Think his lost a tooth! ouch

 

[steds]

Aaaaaaaand guess what? It's raining.

Stedmeisters, how has that rain in St.Helen's ended-up?

Not as serious as I first suspected. Series of short showers. Lots of cloud around, though. Saving it up for 25 miles down the road, possibly. If the heavens are to open, it'll be about/after 5 imo.


Ow. Bullseye from Anderson. Right where you want a bouncer to be.

 

[Richard]

That's the nastiest injury I've seen live since Tudor in 2002/03.

 

[99*]

If Anderson has one thing going for him, it that damn bouncer of his.