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

[Flem274*]

Southee hasn't been quite on the money in this innings. keeps straying down leg.

need everyone to fire today.

 

[MW1304]

Wagner to Trott, no run, whoa! This one is on a length wide outside off, but it doesn't bounce at all after hitting the deck, goes low to the keeper after bouncing once behind the stumps

Oh man, ****'s going down

I'm in the library and jealous, ftr

Also in the library but not jealous. Errybody peerin at ma screen.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Root's made batting look easier than any other batsman in the test so far imo.

Well if the guy on the back of three tons in a row doesn't look the part then something is wrong. High hopes for the lad in the future, seems to have a good head on his young shoulders.

 

[stumpski]

I assume that as Bell was off the field, he won't be able to bat higher than 7 - could be a blessing in disguise though, bit of steel in the tail.

 

[Maximas]

Why does Martin bowl those disgusting wide half trackers every five overs out of the blue. On the topic of Martin, he seems to me to be a bit of a first innings bowler who capitalizes on poor batting by catching players unaware, but then in the second dig when they see him as a threat he can't do much. But I haven't followed his domestic career so I don't know for sure.

 

[Zinzan]

So so mentally weak from NZ in the last 20 minutes. Way to hand the advantage to the opposition.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Why does Martin bowl those disgusting wide half trackers every five overs out of the blue. On the topic of Martin, he seems to me to be a bit of a first innings bowler who capitalizes on poor batting by catching players unaware, but then in the second dig when they see him as a threat he can't do much. But I haven't followed his domestic career so I don't know for sure.

You mean he is Paul Harris II

 

[stumpski]

Heh, who brought their dog to the Test match? Or is it working?

 

[Maximas]

You mean he is Paul Harris II

Sort of, but without the accuracy which builds pressure.

 

[wpdavid]

I assume that as Bell was off the field, he won't be able to bat higher than 7 - could be a blessing in disguise though, bit of steel in the tail.

Hmmm - I'm not used to seeing the word 'steel' used in conjunction with Ian Bell lately. Perhaps batting at 7 might might free him up to come out and play his shots as Broad and Swann don't stick around long nowadays.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

nooo sky why must you crash?

Albi, report to cricsim. it's cricket time but my back up isn't working. need your expertise.

try hitting it with a hammer. If that fails, put froot loops in the disc drive.

 

[Spark]

So this is more the Lord's pitch I'm used to.

 

[Prince EWS]

Root looks sublime.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Sort of, but without the accuracy which builds pressure.

He's just a very good NZ club spinner. His style is perfect for the kind of slow, often dusty pitches we get below FC.

 

[Maximas]

some fairly defensive lines creeping in now, NZ certainly on the back foot here.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Only the 2nd 50 partnership of the match, came at a crucial time for England and in a low scoring match could be the stand that gives us the edge. If one of these goes on to get 70+ i'd think we will be in a position to win the game.

 

[Howe_zat]

It's definately looking a bit rosier, but still precarious. NZ would be well on top with 2 wickets now. Block up for tea please.

 

[wpdavid]

They've batted very well. Lets hope Trott can rediscover his ability to score big instead of looking good for 30 or so. And a debut test 100 for Root would be wonderful.

I do wonder whether we've made a rod for our backs by having Compton open in India against their rather moderate opening attack and on those slow pitches in NZ. It would have been difficult for him not to have done respectably in those circumstances but he isn't convincing at all.

 

[Howe_zat]

They've batted very well. Lets hope Trott can rediscover his ability to score big instead of looking good for 30 or so. And a debut test 100 for Root would be wonderful.

I do wonder whether we've made a rod for our backs by having Compton open in India against their rather moderate opening attack and on those slow pitches in NZ. It would have been difficult for him not to have done respectably in those circumstances but he isn't convincing at all.

There's been a lot of hyperbole about Compton. I think he's going to end up as one of those average Test cricketers who's constantly going to attract bile for not being amazing.

Hard for me to get that worked up about him either way, really.

 

[Bahnz]

This is almost gone for NZ now. Need to bowl England out for under 200 to have a chance.