***Official*** England in New Zealand series 2013

[Athlai]

I'll admit Taylor wasn't a poor captain and I was on his side in the captaincy drama but Baz so far has justified his captaincy in all forms of the game as well as proving that his decision to start batting down the order was a pretty good call.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Prior going with hard hands against the swinging ball

 

[Flem274*]

And then you think back to the attacks that Crowe generally faced compared to the ones against whom Bell has cashed in.

Oh definitely, I'd say Bell's average in context of todays batsmen is good but not exceptional, and he does have a tendency to go very very big when the hard work has been done.

He was a true quality batsman for a couple of years when England were dominant though, and imo can still get back to that point.

 

[L Trumper]

I'll admit Taylor wasn't a poor captain and I was on his side in the captaincy drama but Baz so far has justified his captaincy in all forms of the game as well as proving that his decision to start batting down the order was a pretty good call.

Yes. He was excellent through out the series, even better today.Very long spells from both bowlers too.

 

[Flem274*]

I'll admit Taylor wasn't a poor captain and I was on his side in the captaincy drama but Baz so far has justified his captaincy in all forms of the game as well as proving that his decision to start batting down the order was a pretty good call.

this

 

[Viscount Tom]

I've heard BeeGee loves Boult annd Southee and Wagner amd he's quite keen on Martin.

 

[Pothas]

Well, in a spot of bother here....

 

[hendrix]

not swinging any more, but it's only 40 overs until the new ball. That's crucial.

Just as important is the fact that Bruce Martin is a wicket taker in his own right.

 

[L Trumper]

Oh definitely, I'd say Bell's average in context of todays batsmen is good but not exceptional, and he does have a tendency to go very very big when the hard work has been done.

He was a true quality batsman for a couple of years when England were dominant though, and imo can still get back to that point.

Even at that time he missed home series against Pak, probably the toughest bowling attack to face at that time. So his stats didn't suffer.

 

[hendrix]

Meh, Bell got a good ball. He doesn't look as incompetent as Compton did against the swinging ball.

 

[wpdavid]

Excellent bowling from both. Once again highlights England ****ness in both bowling and batting. They are mostly getting by Cook, KP, Prior, Jimmy & Swann for the last 18 months. Carrying roughly 6 players tbh. Also special kudos to B Mac. Brilliant captaincy,

This test reminds me so much of the debacle that was Christchurch 1984.

 

[Athlai]

Reckon Wagner will run riot today. A quality player with his tail up. Sort of like Bracewell in that regard. Can be pretty mundane but when the mood takes him will bowl an occasional grenade and force lower order bats into throwing away their wickets.

 

[straw man]

I'll admit Taylor wasn't a poor captain and I was on his side in the captaincy drama but Baz so far has justified his captaincy in all forms of the game as well as proving that his decision to start batting down the order was a pretty good call.

Agree that McCullum's captaincy seems to have been pretty good - I like the attacking fields.

I'm still suspect on the openers though - this aberration where Fulton and Rutherford consistently score runs is too good to continue. Will review how McCullum batting down the order is going when we're back to being 12/2 every second innings.

 

[grecian]

Meh, Bell got a good ball. He doesn't look as incompetent as Compton did against the swinging ball.

We're losing a Test Match, always time to blame Bell.

 

[straw man]

Surprisingly good start from Wagner there - no swing but accurate apart from the compulsory bouncer that he must bowl every over.

 

[Athlai]

Agree that McCullum's captaincy seems to have been pretty good - I like the attacking fields.

I'm still suspect on the openers though - this aberration where Fulton and Rutherford consistently score runs is too good to continue. Will review how McCullum batting down the order is going when we're back to being 12/2 every second innings.

This has been one of our greatest opening partnerships in our Test history for any series. It's really, really, really weird.

 

[straw man]

"Oooh yes Bruce"

 

[Cabinet96]

Finn and Broad at maximum pace are quicker than Boult. Those two are scary quick when they want to be.

I don't know about Broad. I think his maximum pace is overrated because he's 6ft 6, and likes a bouncer. I'd say he's been pretty close to his maximum pace this series actually, which isn't faster than Boult is it?

Oh definitely, I'd say Bell's average in context of todays batsmen is good but not exceptional, and he does have a tendency to go very very big when the hard work has been done.

He was a true quality batsman for a couple of years when England were dominant though, and imo can still get back to that point.

He seems to have gone back to being everyones favourite punching bag recently, for some reason. But I'm going to say it now; he'll have a gun Ashes. Can't wait to see the Aussies tears when this crap hack of a player does well against their beloved Australia.

 

[Flem274*]

When was the last time two different New Zealand openers scored hundreds in the same series? I remember McIntosh/McCullum in India and Richardson/Fleming in England. Any others?

Completely agree with Doull. Eden Park can gagf wrt test cricket. If you want a test in Auckland, move it somewhere else.

 

[Viscount Tom]

We're losing a Test Match, always time to blame Bell.

Personally I blame Colly for retiring.