**Official** New Zealand in England

[NUFAN]

I reckon one of the top 6, most likely to be Vaughan, will need to get 100 if we are in with a chance. I really want Pietersen to make runs today, seems like yonks since he last played well.

I don't even think Pietersen will bat today.

 

[Richard]

Strauss off-the-mark. EDIT: and Cook off-the-mark.

Out of all run-chases of 294 or more in Test history, only 5% have been successful.

 

[PhoenixFire]

I don't even think Pietersen will bat today.

Nah, well I hope he doesn't anyway, but tomorrow, he near as to certain will do.

 

[Richard]

I reckon one of the top 6, most likely to be Vaughan, will need to get 100 if we are in with a chance. I really want Pietersen to make runs today, seems like yonks since he last played well.

I really want Pietersen not to bat today TBH, as Rob B said.

 

[Richard]

NZ 3rd innings' batting average since playing SA in 2004 at Wellington is 21.89 per wicket.

They have played 16 matches in that time, batting 1st and 3rd, and have won just 2 of them, and losing 9.

Ahem...

Excluding declaration innings', 202. And this is after 336 in the first of these. Thereafter, the best is 272 and the average, unsurprisingly, below 200.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Yeah didn't mean to put today actually.

 

[Days of Grace]

Ahem...

I don't particularly care mate. I did the research myself, and so posted it.

BTW, since 2004, NZ's 4th innings total is actually 5 points higher (27 vs. 22) than their
3rd innings, which is rather interesting.

 

[Richard]

Superb bit of fielding there by How.

 

[Richard]

Jeeys, Cook wasn't far from doing a Graeme Smith there.

 

[stumpski]

I reckon one of the top 6, most likely to be Vaughan, will need to get 100 if we are in with a chance. I really want Pietersen to make runs this test, seems like yonks since he last played well.

A hundred only two Tests ago tbf, plus one in his only f-c match for Hants, but I know what you mean.

Been out for the day and just seen the score, this could be a classic. Scores remind me a bit of Lord's 2000. Diminishing totals are a worry though.

 

[wpdavid]

Been out for the day and just seen the score, this could be a classic. Scores remind me a bit of Lord's 2000. Diminishing totals are a worry though.

Yeah, reminded me of that game too.

I popped out too, when NZ were 80 for 2. Turned on the radio to find Cook batting. My first assumption was that Taylor & McCullum had gone absolutely ballistic, enabling Vettori to declare really early & not wanting to rely on the 5th day at all. Turns out that didn't happen.

NZ favourites, but they may remember England twice chasing down big 4th innings targets last time they were here.

 

[Richard]

Quality of bowling throughout the match was far higher in that Lord's WI 2000 Test TBF. That opening session everso slightly excepted.

Cook doing his Tom Jones impression here.

 

[Richard]

NZ favourites, but they may remember England twice chasing down big 4th innings targets last time they were here.

Neither pitch which bore the slightest resemblence to this one. The Trent Bridge one did turn, though not as viciously as this one has.

More significantly, Vettori at that point was in a truly d-i-r-e rut. Something which emphatically is not the case currently.

 

[Richard]

Haha, WoW, never seen that before - McCullum spots the premeditated sweep from Cook, goes for that, Cook misses, Taylor from first slip dives and stops the byes.

ITSTL.

 

[stumpski]

Where's Nasser Hussain when you need him, eh?


'Tom Jones impression?' Care to elaborate?

 

[Richard]

The half-unbuttoned shirt.

Even Hussain would struggle to win this game, for my money. Though there's not all that many of recent times I'd rather have to try it.

 

[cover drive man]

Think England have a very realistic chance at this, they've got a full day tomorrow to do it.

 

[PhoenixFire]

And Tuesday.

 

[stumpski]

True ... was anyone else thinking this was day four?

We've been lucky to have had a full day's play though - no play at Edbgaston, and only 20-odd overs at Derby.

 

[cover drive man]

And Tuesday.

Oh yeah I keep forgetting. Well its anyone's game then.