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

[Dan]

Is Root actually allowed to get out?

Both innings now, Boult has bowled him a couple of pearlers and he’s getting ripped into for getting out.

Was referring to his behaviour throughout the innings tbf.

Boult was giving him a proper working over and he basically tried his best to sell Malan down the river (taking sharp singles when he was facing Boult, swiping his bat angrily when Malan took one off Boult too), wasting time patting down the pitch every second ball, and then taking forever when he got hit. No idea how it translated onto TV, but I think everybody at the ground lost respect for him - showed no leadership or fight whatsoever.

I think there was a genuine reason for Boult clearly telling him '**** you' after he crumpled to the ground.

 

[SteveNZ]

Was referring to his behaviour throughout the innings tbf.

Boult was giving him a proper working over and he basically tried his best to sell Malan down the river (taking sharp singles when he was facing Boult, swiping his bat angrily when Malan took a single, wasting time patting down the pitch every second ball, and then taking forever when he got hit. No idea how it translated onto TV, but I think everybody at the ground lost respect for him - showed no leadership or fight whatsoever.

I think there was a genuine reason for Boult clearly telling him '**** you' after he crumpled to the ground.

Hey, whoa what...swiping his bat angrily? Boult told him **** you? That all happened? Didn't see it in the coverage.

 

[Larwood's_boots]

Actually starting to look quite restrained- if these two can get to tea they might actually have a very vague sliver of a chance here.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Must say I’ve never seen Boult so fired up before! I didn’t see the words on the coverage but he was clearly fuming and looked mad as after hitting him on the gloves.

 

[_Ed_]

Have to give Astle a couple of overs soon. Surely.

 

[Immenso]

Only 20 overs until the new ball ... not sure Astle will get the ball before then. Williamson doesn’t seem to have much faith in him ...

Batting too long before declaring. Not bowling one of his bowlers.

This will be one we look back on as a learning experience for Captain Kane.

There are valid reason for not bowling Astle at certain times. New ball, night sessions etc. But right now I'm as baffled as I was yesterday when we kept batting and batting.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Theyre doing a Paul Wiseman on him.

 

[Immenso]

What kind of captain undermines one of his payers like this? A **** one. Dick move Kane.

 

[_Ed_]

Astle now - good. He'll probably turn out to be completely ineffective now.

 

[Athlai]

If Tastle breaks through Kane will also look a bit daft.

 

[Prince EWS]

When the commentators were talking yesterday about Astle bowling four overs in four innings I thought it was a silly discussion given the circumstances of those innings -- Santner who he'd come in for wouldn't have bowled much more if any more than that, and in one of those innings there were literally only two bowlers used FFS. But as this innings has gone on it has become a bit dire. It's not like de Grandhomme has looked unplayable in his 0/33 off 16.

Ah and as I type this, Astle is on. Good.

 

[Larwood's_boots]

This is astonishingly dull, I'm loving it!

 

[_Ed_]

Oh dear. A long hop carved for four.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Oh dear. A long hop carved for four.

What was Williamson thinking bringing on Astle ... poor captaincy!!!

 

[Athlai]

Astle is a spud.

 

[_Ed_]

Oh no, Trent.

 

[Prince EWS]

Poor Astle. Waits forever to bowl, finally comes on but can't find his length, then has a dolly dropped off a long hop before being driven down the ground for four.

That wicket could've down wonders for his confidence; drop Boult IMO.

 

[Spark]

what a magnificent passage of play

 

[BeeGee]

Dear God.

 

[straw man]

Was banking on Astle getting a wicket with a rank short ball or full toss and he should've.

We dropped multiple catches (more difficult than that) last time we failed to bowl England out iirc. That's the sort of things that makes you feel like history will repeat.