*Official* New Zealand in England 2021

[Fuller Pilch]

Just need to get through to afternoon tea with no more wickets. The quicks will tire, they'll have to bowl part-time spin and hopefully we can cash in.

 

[wpdavid]

Is Wood too quick for Nicolls?

Interesting couple of spells by Wood. Obviously he's significantly faster than the other three, but I don't think he's really looked like taking a wicket.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Taylor can still play a big innings in a big match. Too early to discard him.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Joe Root. Sweep him to death Henry

 

[wpdavid]

Root to rip out the last seven wickets.

 

[Flem274*]

Do NZ not want to drop a player (who's been a great servant and role model) because it might hurt his feelings a bit and lead to fractured relationships within the team? Bizarre

correct

nz is used to selecting squads with a scarcity mentality, where you try and cram in every good player you can and never let go of someone who shows some talent - just look at how nz select their squads, and how even posters on here select sometimes.

if we were smart we'd have lined up a cheeky test v bangers last summer for the boss to get his 20th and taylor could retire from tests in dignity. his odi form has never dropped off, so he's more than welcome to continue playing odis and be a discreet emergency test reserve if we need a batsman in a hurry.

nz would never do that though.

 

[Flem274*]

Nah, the guy deserves to play the WTC final for all the stuff he's put up with his whole career, I don't give a **** if he's not in the best XI.

well yea this too. another reason why we need to get bangers or someone down here to give him a charity ton. 2008 - 2012 he and vettori were our entire batting line up.

 

[Pothas]

Interesting couple of spells by Wood. Obviously he's significantly faster than the other three, but I don't think he's really looked like taking a wicket.

This is basically standard Mark Wood.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I can't take anymore of these batting mikes, they'd have made Nathan Astle's 222 sound like an out of form Chris Martin.

 

[wpdavid]

This is basically standard Mark Wood.

Yeah, I know. His test average doesn't really lie, does it. He's admirably whole hearted and seems very likeable, but we've waited a long time for him to become a real threat in test cricket.

 

[Flem274*]

please continue not pitching it up to nicholls. bowl some spin at him too while you're at it.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Already a lot of byes. What's the verdict on Bracey as a keeper?

 

[Flem274*]

I can't take anymore of these batting mikes, they'd have made Nathan Astle's 222 sound like an out of form Chris Martin.

the stump mikes are turned up and there's static, so some defensive shots on the back foot sound like he's been castled.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I can't take anymore of these batting mikes, they'd have made Nathan Astle's 222 sound like an out of form Chris Martin.

They should rig the audio to make explosion sounds when it's hit out of the middle and fart noises for edges.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Sibley > Root as a bowler.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah, I know. His test average doesn't really lie, does it.

His record at home must be so much worse than any other England seam bowler in that time.

Still if Archer was playing there would probably be people moaning he was not bowling as quickly.

 

[StephenZA]

Who the hell is James Bracey and why is he playing?

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

I just got a giggle after hearing Nasser Hussain say, "Rock hard."

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Who the hell is James Bracey and why is he playing?

He sounds more like the name of a SKY Sports statistician.

 

[Pothas]

Who the hell is James Bracey and why is he playing?

Ben Foakes slipped on a sock.