***Official*** England in New Zealand 2018

[The Hutt Rec]

Great game to be at though, even with the sparse attendance. NZC really needs to go back to 2-3 LO games in Welly next year. This was I think the 5th game they've played in a 2-month window.

The lack of an England test really has thrown the whole schedule off in Wellington this year. It seems so weird as a fan that it’s ended with five consecutive limited overs matches, after the early West Indies test.

I know NZ Cricket blamed the state of the Basin for not getting the test, but it really has seemed like we’ve overloaded on starters and missed the main course, from a spectator point of view.

 

[Athlai]

The latest ODI games have been by far the best of the summer but I just CBF watching really because it's all been limited overs stuff for months now.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

The latest ODI games have been by far the best of the summer but I just CBF watching really because it's all been limited overs stuff for months now.

Yep I’ve definitely reached that stage too ... although I was out of town this weekend so couldn’t go anyway.

 

[thierry henry]

I've found myself forgetting that the games are on but then finding them absolutely compelling viewing....somehow "90s ODIs" where the chasing team is struggling with something less than run-a-ball feel more meaningful.

 

[Prince EWS]

I've found myself forgetting that the games are on but then finding them absolutely compelling viewing....somehow "90s ODIs" where the chasing team is struggling with something less than run-a-ball feel more meaningful.

I agree so much. It might just be because we were 90s kids, but I feel like there's something more to it than that.

 

[OverratedSanity]

I agree so much. It might just be because we were 90s kids, but I feel like there's something more to it than that.

Could well be that we enjoy it more simply because these kind of ODIs have become rare.

 

[Bahnz]

I think it's because we're all snobs, and watching teams struggling to knock the ball around at 4.5 rpo without suffering a massive collapse has a lot more in common with test cricket than modern ODI's.

 

[straw man]

snobs and proud

 

[veganbob]

Im not a cricket snob, while tests is my favourite format I hold the odi cricket world cup as the ultimate. I'd take that over winning any test series.

However Ive always loved low scoring games, both odis and tests. This series has been even more enjoyable because its rare these days in odis.
Our middle order batting and the running between wickets combined with very good bowling from both sides (england fielding has been epic) has made the scores way lower than par.

 

[Days of Grace]

I think we enjoy if because there’s actually a contest between bat and ball with momentum shifting between the two during the innings.

 

[robbypark]

edit

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Metservice says a fine morning, but there could be a shower from afternoon:

Dunedin Weather - NZ Weather Forecast from MetService.com

It is a day game.

 

[robbypark]

Metservice says a fine morning, but there could be a shower from afternoon:

Dunedin Weather - NZ Weather Forecast from MetService.com

It is a day game.

You're right. For some reason I thought the game was in Wellington. My bad.

 

[SteveNZ]

Weather looks clear as a bell as far as I can see, game on

 

[Fuller Pilch]

We are chasing. Big day for Henry Nicholls - if he is out cheaply and Munro does well, the test no 5 place might be in jeopardy

 

[straw man]

Don't know about selecting the test number 5 spot based on ODI matches, but it's a big day for Nicholls regardless. Have to think that if Chapman had made a score in the last two matches, Nicholls would already be out of the side. As it is, this might be his last chance.

 

[Athlai]

Don't know about selecting the test number 5 spot based on ODI matches, but it's a big day for Nicholls regardless. Have to think that if Chapman had made a score in the last two matches, Nicholls would already be out of the side. As it is, this might be his last chance.

It's New Zealand tradition.

 

[straw man]

I thought we got rid of that tradition though.

Sounds like a bad start by our bowlers - yes a couple of lucky edges or mis-hits but overall too inaccurate. We really need early wickets against this batting lineup. May have been tempted to give Henry the new ball over Southee here to search for early wickets, though selectors' conservatism always going to hold sway in a must-win like this.

 

[Athlai]

Reckon Southee has been better than Boult this series tbf.

 

[robbypark]

Great start for the colonizers.