**Official** New Zealand in England

[Neil Pickup]

And the lack of withdrawal afterwards. Really, really pathetic.

 

[Prince EWS]

McCullum ran Chris Mpofu out in almost (although admittedly not quite as bad, as the batsman was at fault in that case) circumstances once before and played the "rules are rules" card - he better not be among those who complain about this.

 

[Richard]

Easy to miss, but Broad is about to bowl out, and if he doesn't get a wicket NZ are very much still in this.

Four more.

 

[Neil Pickup]

McCullum ran Chris Mpofu out in almost (although admittedly not quite as bad, as the batsman was at fault in that case) circumstances once before and played the "rules are rules" card - he better not be among those who complain about this.

Not analogous. McCullum ran out Mpofu and Murali because they were brain dead idiots and wandered out their creases. This is mid-pitch injury and not in the same ball park.

 

[Richard]

Haha, another collision(!)

 

[Richard]

Look on Mark Benson's face plainly said something quite similar to this.

 

[Manee]

Although Collingwood will be painted as the villian by the papers, in the weeks to come - withdrawing the appeal practically meant ending any chance of victory.

 

[stumpski]

Just had me thinking about Wally Grout and Fred Titmus for a while there.

 

[Richard]

And with Sidebottom, Anderson and Broad all finished, NZ now certainly have a perfectly good chance.

14 from 24 against Collingwood, maybe Swann, and someone from Wright and Bopara.

 

[stumpski]

Sidebottom, Broad and Anderson all bowled out now. The big guns gone. 14 wanted off 4 overs.

* snap * (I was checking the card)

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Although Collingwood will be painted as the villian by the papers, in the weeks to come - withdrawing the appeal practically meant ending any chance of victory.

But now a win will be tainted. A tleast if he had withdrawn the appeal there was a chance of an untainted victory.

 

[Manee]

But was there? I am not justifying it, but it was a tough decision for an England captain trying to stamp his determination.

Oh dear, looks like a close finish.

 

[Richard]

Another run-out. All down to Mark Gillespie now.

How does Mills play it? (If he gets on strike again) Does he go for it, or try and get 'em in singles?

 

[Prince EWS]

Not analogous. McCullum ran out Mpofu and Murali because they were brain dead idiots and wandered out their creases. This is mid-pitch injury and not in the same ball park.

Obviously one is worse than the other, but I still think it's relevant. I don't think it's any more in the "spirit of cricket" to run out a 19 year old number 11 congratulating his #9 partner on scoring on his first Test half century with the result well and truly beyond all doubt than it is to run out someone after a mid-pitch collision.

I'll try to dig up the interview with McCullum I read at the time, but at no point did he suggest he was in the right because the batsman was an idiot - he insisted he'd do his best to advance his team as long as it was within the rules. Running out Elliott fits right in with his philosophy and I have no doubt he would have done the same.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

But was there?

Of course there was. The problem is, we will never know now.
I would rather lose than win this way.

 

[Richard]

12 from 18. Swann to bowl?

 

[stumpski]

Another run-out. All down to Mark Gillespie now.

How does Mills play it? (If he gets on strike again) Does he go for it, or try and get 'em in singles?

They both have to get the singles I think - Gillespie can bat a bit and there's no need for boundaries (would help though)

 

[Neil Pickup]

Fair enough: I doubt I would have gone through with the appeal in any instance - but I can appreciate McCullum's actions more than England's in this case, as mentioned.

Tim Ambrose drops Gillespie...

 

[Richard]

They both have to get the singles I think - Gillespie can bat a bit and there's no need for boundaries (would help though)

Doesn't always work that way though - one mistake and it's lost. You can count that out by getting it quickly.

Ambrose dropped? Not sure.

Good over from Swann anyway. 48th over maiden, extremely unusual.

 

[silentstriker]

This whole spirit of cricket is bollocks. If it's legal, then by all means, go ahead and do it. Although......purposeful collisions for a chance of a run out, here we come....