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

[ganeshran]

Martin is bowling too short.

 

[Immenso]

Right about now wishing for a McClenaghan/Bennett as the third seamer, and Astle as spinner. In this parellel universe where these players are good, fit, in form ....

Of course, may not have got into this situation in first place with different attack make up. Bring 'back' super-subs!

God, I have patience deficiency. Only been half an hour

 

[Howsie]

Bah, Martin still bowling complete puss.

 

[Flem274*]

Bring on Boult. Keep rotating the bowlers. Don't let the English settle.

 

[ganeshran]

McCullum has the advantage of England trying to save the match rather than win it. So he can afford to keep the close-in fielders

 

[Bahnz]

Not sure I agree with opening with the spinners from McCullum. Would've preferred a burst with Southee and Boult for at least the first half hour.

 

[Cabinet96]

I don't understand why commentators always like the batsman to be aggressive in these situations. Runs are no longer part of the equation FFS. You can't reap the benefits of playing aggressively if the runs don't mean anything.

 

[ganeshran]

I don't understand why commentators always like the batsman to be aggressive in these situations. Runs are no longer part of the equation FFS. You can't reap the benefits of playing aggressively if the runs don't mean anything.

You can force the bowlers to try something different and not to settle down. If you keep defending against spinners with close-in catchers, sooner or later one good delivery will lead to the dismissal

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Because there's nothing better for a bowler and captain than bowling ball after ball at the same guy with absurdly attacking fields. Bowlers don't like being scored off so you can't go completely deadbeat.

 

[Cabinet96]

But there's no reason to remove catchers if the runs needed are pretty much impossible to get. If I was a fast bowler in such situations I certainly wouldn't mind batsman trying to hook bouncers instead of ducking and batsman trying to drive balls they could leave. It's all extra risk taking.

 

[ganeshran]

Boult looks like taking a wicket any time now.

 

[Flem274*]

Depends how they're scoring. If they're trying to blast you then that's risky stroke play and you're in the game. Ones and twos punctuated by the odd boundary is depressing.

 

[Flem274*]

Root's angled defense can't be doing any favours for Flower's heart rate.

 

[Cabinet96]

Depends how they're scoring. If they're trying to blast you then that's risky stroke play and you're in the game. Ones and twos punctuated by the odd boundary is depressing.

It shouldn't be though should it. England have to go at nearly five an over for 2 and a half sessions to win here, so if they simply meander along at 2 and a half an over, putting away the odd bad ball, it doesn't really get them anywhere and doesn't force a captain to remove attacking fielders.

 

[Zinzan]

Thankfully for NZ Boult looks in good rhythm. Stating the obvious here, but crucial the second new-ball swings for NZ. It's only 25 overs away so should be available shortly after lunch.

 

[ganeshran]

Thankfully for NZ Boult looks in good rhythm. Stating the obvious here, but crucial the second new-ball swings for NZ. It's only 25 overs away so should be available shortly after lunch.

It is 13 overs away so should be available before lunch

 

[Flem274*]

It shouldn't be though should it. England have to go at nearly five an over for 2 and a half sessions to win here, so if they simply meander along at 2 and a half an over, putting away the odd bad ball, it doesn't really get them anywhere and doesn't force a captain to remove attacking fielders.

I was reffering to a run rate of about 3 with plenty of singles. It looks much more comfortable than blocking to the opposition and if a batsman makes conditions look easy the captain needs to have a long hard think about the field, whereas just blocking means the captain can pitch a tent on all out attack because he's being given nothing to think about.

A batsman having a real go is in some ways more prefferable because you can keep the field up and force him to go over the top continuously.

 

[Bahnz]

Bruce "the revelation" Martin has been abysmal this morning. Would take him off and give Wagner a chance to pick up another jammy wicket before lunch.

 

[Meridio]

Looking pretty flat out there. Going to be hard work. Martin just not quite accurate enough atm, hardly landing anything on a good length - either too short or too full.

 

[Flem274*]

How much is a draw paying?

Hope Wagner does a Finn this morning.