*Official* New Zealand in England 2015

[Bahnz]

Don't you dare bet on us.

I'm not, just commenting that I think the betting agencies are wrong to back the draw as the second most likely result.

 

[Flem274*]

So what's the word on Watling?

 

[thierry henry]

Boult's bowling the correct pace to be effective. There is little point in a swing bowler in England operating much faster.

Well- and maybe I can be accused of circular logic here- I didn't think he was very effective, and I think his pace had something to do with it.

How is there "little point" in bowling faster though, isn't there always a point in bowling faster? 130kph swing is good but 150kph swing is better, etc. It's not like Boult stops swinging it at 140kph, swinging it at speed is his natural method when on song.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

Thought our bowling was pretty poor throughout the day. Lucky to have them at 30/4, then unlucky that they got so far ahead.

Looks like a good batting strip though, hopefully we can make 550 or so.

 

[Antihippy]

Well- and maybe I can be accused of circular logic here- I didn't think he was very effective, and I think his pace had something to do with it.

How is there "little point" in bowling faster though, isn't there always a point in bowling faster? 130kph swing is good but 150kph swing is better, etc. It's not like Boult stops swinging it at 140kph, swinging it at speed is his natural method when on song.

I don't think pace was the problem for him this test, it was mostly spraying it all over the shop.

 

[Dan]

I just don't think Boult is overly effective (as a containment bowler) to left handers when the ball is still swinging but not consistently.

If you look at his bowling during the Stokes innings, his natural angle in towards leg stump (for the 'angle it in, swing away' delivery) was feeding his midwicket clip perfectly when the ball didn't shape away. When it did swing he was damn hard to face.

I don't think he bowled especially badly, just that, as vic pointed out, he was bowling as if 4 balls per over were swinging, when only 2 balls per over were actually moving.

 

[Hooksey]

A sub isn't allowed to keep. Has to be one of the starting 11.

Subs have kept before though. But by agreement.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

I'm pretty sure Watling will be okay to keep playing, just with a bruise. I expect to see him with the gloves come the morning of day 2.

 

[Zinzan]

Really found Smithy more annoying than ever in his first stint in commentary yesterday, was literally cringing. Assuming he was tasting it in his spells later in the day.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

And while it's hot, how awesome is Joe Root? He made it look like we were bowling the 1992 World Cup attack at him. Just so much time to play his shots, and always seems to find the right placement.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Just checked the score. What even is this.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

Just checked the score. What even is this.

We bowled well for the first hour and had a bit of luck. Then Stokes was excellent, Root otherworldly and McCullum far too aggressive for too long (in retrospect). Then it was pretty even for a bit. England slightly ahead.

 

[Antihippy]

I think moeen ali's cover drive is reaching lara levels of unneeded overly-extravagent flourish.

 

[Furball]

Could be cloudy in the weekend, and Broad, Wood and Ali all capable of quick runs and getting it past 400. Then you got Latham who has yet to prove himself against top class seam bowling (to be fair neither has Ballance) a test meh player in Guptil and in between Taylor an undercooked Kane and Mc Cullum.

Not saying England will definitely win or anything absurd like that, but I dunno, it seems a nothing sort of price for me, if it was close to 7/1 or 8/1, I'd be excited.

I haven't backed a winner in ages though, so probably best to follow your own hunch.

It's not 2013 any more.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

I'm pretty sure Watling will be okay to keep playing, just with a bruise. I expect to see him with the gloves come the morning of day 2.

Depends. It may have stiffened over night which would make keeping almost impossible.

 

[Flem274*]

Pretty dubious about our batting now it's time. Really needed to keep the bath spurners under 300 in case we have an implosion to get out of our system. We might need Watling and the engine room today.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

I think a lot will depend on how McCullum goes. Probably (imo) he will bat in World Cup mode, and so we could see 150* from him at the end of the day (or out for nothing and heralding a huge collapse).

 

[Zinzan]

Runs on the board for England, even if we do get these last 3 poles quickly... England well on top for mine, not slightly.

 

[Hurricane]

Runs on the board for England, even if we do get these last 3 poles quickly... England well on top for mine, not slightly.

Agreed even if we roll them for another 30 runs - not many teams lose after posting 380 odd first dig.

 

[longranger]

What a day of Test cricket. Awesome new ball bowling to have England at 30/4 and then some aggressive batting dug England out. I like the idea of playing Stokes up in the batting order - gives him more confidence. And Moeen coming at 8 really means this team bats till deep. If they stick to this, Australia may not steamroll England in the 5-0 fashion some people expect.

Day 2's first session is critical. If NZ bundle them out cheaply, they're back in the game.

I love the IPL, but this stuff is the real deal.