*Official* England in New Zealand 2019

[straw man]

No incentive for NZ to force the game really ... and England I can understand being a bit cautious after the disaster in the first test. Pitch doesn’t seem to be doing anything. Hopefully something develops though.

Thought there was a slim chance of NZ pushing for a win at the start of play, but needed two early wickets and then secure a lead of 50-60. Hasn't happened so draw or England win only real options now.

England need NZ to throw a good old fashioned lollapse second innings.

 

[Athlai]

NZ aren't out of the game yet, I'd say England are still potentially in danger until around the hour after lunch mark. England will want till bat till lunch tomorrow to win this.

 

[NZTailender]

So from England's PoV they might get more out of giving Pope a chance to bat time and then Archer, Curran and Woakes bowling experience tomorrow

 

[Athlai]

Actually around the hour after lunch mark is where we probably get the 2nd new ball. So I'll revise that to England aren't out of danger until 30 minutes before tea.

 

[NZTailender]

NZ aren't out of the game yet, I'd say England are still potentially in danger until around the hour after lunch mark. England will want till bat till lunch tomorrow to win this.

NZ basically need to get them all out before lunch or just after, then pile on 250+ before lunch tomorrow.

It's not out of the realms of possibility but not having CdG hurts us there.

 

[Athlai]

NZ basically need to get them all out before lunch or just after, then pile on 250+ before lunch tomorrow.

It's not out of the realms of possibility but not having CdG hurts us there.

Yeah I'd definitely say if we have to try win the game in only 70 overs it'd be a very very very long shot. But its not outside the realms of possibility and England won't feel totally safe until they're clear of that too. If we get a proper 80 odd overs to bat, they'll be in real trouble.

 

[theegyptian]

Nz are playing for the draw at this point.

There isn't enough time in the game for them to bat England out of the game, and then bowl them out. They are 1-0 in the series, they aren't going to give England a sniff of a runchase if they can help it.

 

[nzfan]

Root.... what a player? Fantastic comeback and very elegant.

Just hope that he doesn't change gears and put a massive lead. Ollie Pope is helping Black Caps cause though, pretty slow going by the looks of it. If England bat till tea at this rate they will still be nowhere. If England has to put Black Caps under pressure they will need at least 150-200 runs lead. Can't see that happening by tea. I think this is going to be a draw or I hope it's a draw.

 

[NZTailender]

Nz are playing for the draw at this point.

There isn't enough time in the game for them to bat England out of the game, and then bowl them out. They are 1-0 in the series, they aren't going to give England a sniff of a runchase if they can help it.

If England bat the day and a bit of tomorrow and get a 250 lead, they'll need some Broad magic and Archer to turn up. Those two firing on all cylinders could run through our batting.

 

[Grasshopper]

So with the deficit erased and England not looking like losing any more wickets today, at what point should Root declare? Surely he'll want to put the foot down after Lunch, but how far ahead will they need to be for an unlikely shot at victory?

 

[Flem274*]

they're scoring quickly enough to give themselves a day at us

 

[Grasshopper]

But there's rain forecast for tomorrow arvo, so not sure there'll be a full day's play. I hope Root goes hard after Lunch then decides to have a crack at us for an hour or so today.

 

[the big bambino]

NZ basically parked the bus for this test to preserve a lead. The choice of Henry over Ferguson. Good occupation in the first innings that forced England to bat as long to retain parity. A slow pitch that doesn't look like it will break up - or so it seems. Not saying it'll work as they've conceded a first innings lead now but it does seem the intention from the time they named the team.

 

[Flem274*]

this game is foreshadowing of the australian tour. southee and henry are perfectly fine bowlers but on motorways we need boult-ferguson-wagner

santa can bat but he still isn't much with the ball.

 

[Athlai]

this game is foreshadowing of the australian tour. southee and henry are perfectly fine bowlers but on motorways we need boult-ferguson-wagner

santa can bat but he still isn't much with the ball.

Last I checked Southee's 2 wickets > Wagner's 1 wicket in the ol' tally.

Though I do agree.

Santa just holds down an end which is what you need in AU and NZ from a spinner that isn't Lyon.

 

[Spikey]

this game is foreshadowing of the australian tour. southee and henry are perfectly fine bowlers but on motorways we need boult-ferguson-wagner

santa can bat but he still isn't much with the ball.

and somers somerville, skip

 

[Flem274*]

Last I checked Southee's 2 wickets > Wagner's 1 wicket in the ol' tally.

Though I do agree.

Santa just holds down an end which is what you need in AU and NZ from a spinner that isn't Lyon.

yea look southee's record for the past few years despite trundling in at 126kph with the ball just now barely making it to watling is just something i can't explain. i don't even care that much about his pace (we all know how much people appear to hate facing cdg) but his ability to take wickets with no zip or even extreme accuracy just leaves me scratching my head.

even doug bracewell hits the gloves harder and he's trying to james franklin.

 

[Flem274*]

ah, since jan 1 2017 southee's only played 3 away tests compared to 12 at home. that makes the 68 wickets @ 25 more believable, since he's still a good bowler at home.

 

[Flem274*]

i miss 25 year old southee tho. had everything except truly express pace. swing, bounce, bags of tricks, a good bouncer, reverse...what happened

 

[Athlai]

Take Southee to Aus but bin him after the first Test if the 125km/h h4x gets creamed in Australia IMO.