**Official** New Zealand in England

[Manee]

It has certainly gone now. He is follow through-ing with much vigour, now.

 

[Nate]

Monty to ton up in this Test?

Yeah, could get there, luck permitting. Ripping them enough.

EDIT: MONTY!

 

[Richard]

How the hell was that not out????????????

Ah well, never mind, that one is. Shows that you can't just attack spinners and find an easy way out. Woeful stroke from McCullum.

 

[jammay123]

Montyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!

 

[chalky]

McCullum becoming Monty's Bunny this series.

 

[Richard]

Bloody hell, this pitch is turning plenty. MSP should get 6 or 7 here.

 

[Prince EWS]

McCullum looked really bad for all of that IMO. Get Vettori in.

 

[Richard]

Hmm, this Oram injury must be worse than first thought if he's not batting.

Unless he's been forced down to seven by his spell off the field.

 

[Manee]

Interesting. The pace is up to over 55mph and he is spinning the ball with far more vigour. Could it be that those telling him to slow down have hindered his bowling?

 

[James_W]

Monty is Godly.

 

[Richard]

Interesting. The pace is up to over 55mph and he is spinning the ball with far more vigour. Could it be that those telling him to slow down have hindered his bowling?

He's a funny case. That is indeed a question I've often wondered.

Sidebottom on, good captaincy. Could he maybe, finally, find some reverse-swing?

 

[gettingbetter]

Don't think that NZ need to many more runs to be safe. 300 is solid, but with Vettori's first innings, 250 seems good enough.

 

[gettingbetter]

Broad taken off after 3 overs. Am I reading too much into it?

 

[Richard]

Broad never is and never has been that good. He's not the sort of bowler a captain with sense would want with Sidebottom available.

 

[Beleg]

Not really. Broad can't pitch two bowls at the same length, let alone the same spot. And you need consistency on this pitch.

 

[Nate]

Cribb looked really bad for all of that IMO. Get his CricSim mates in.

 

[Richard]

McCullum looked really bad for all of that IMO. Get Vettori in.

Cribb looked really bad for all of that IMO. Get his CricSim mates in.

Ah, but Cribb didn't bat.

Yes, a bit of reverse-swing for Sidebottom - hopefully he can keep it up.

 

[jammay123]

another for monty i think hes on 99

 

[Richard]

Vettori gone slogged-sweeping, just as they were talking about the slogged-sweep maybe being a route out for left-handers.

MSP must get his 100th Test wicket this game now surely.

 

[Nate]

Just keep falling. Have faith in Mills here.