*Official* New Zealand in England 2021

[Uppercut]

The odds baffle me. Last test match they had England as favorites. This match again they had England favorites by heaps. Good number of English batsmen struggling for runs can't see why there were favorites.

The English batting is always pretty crappy but they just don't lose home test series, think the last one was Sri Lanka 7 years ago? They look useless for 95% of every summer but then the other 5% is the touring side getting bowled out for 27 on a cloudy day.

Losing to Australia was kind of a defeat tbf. But that Australia team is the kind of level you'd need to be at to be the bookies' favourites.

 

[Bahnz]

Will depend a bit what the forecast is like tomorrow as well. Batting looked the easiest thing in the world in the morning session, but after lunch with some heavier clouds in place, Henry had it hooping and likewise with Boult straight after tea. Then the sun came out again and life looked pretty easy even for some fairly rabbity bats.

Still frustrating for NZ to let England run up 90 runs for just 1 lower order wicket. NZ should really be batting by now.

Re: Ajaz, he bowled excellently, but if he plays it’ll have to be as part of a 3 man seam attack. If NZ goes that way, who plays? Southee, Boult and KJ? Or do we back Wagz’ memers to rattle up the Indians even in England?


Normally I’d say NZ noses in front, but with out KW, Wagner at 8 and having to bat last on a dry pitch I think that was a good day for England.

 

[thierry henry]

The odds baffle me. Last test match they had England as favorites. This match again they had England favorites by heaps. Good number of English batsmen struggling for runs can't see why there were favorites.

England are clear favourites. We have 6 players out and it’s a test in England. Everyone beats everyone at home, that’s test cricket. It’s certainly within the realms of ‘competitive’ but home team always gonna be the safer bet.

 

[Bahnz]

Yep, if NZ are to win this they’ll need to bat big in their first innings. Unfortunately the forecast of more cloud cover for tomorrow will have James Anderson twirling his moustache.

 

[straw man]

Re: Ajaz, he bowled excellently, but if he plays it’ll have to be as part of a 3 man seam attack. If NZ goes that way, who plays? Southee, Boult and KJ? Or do we back Wagz’ memers to rattle up the Indians even in England?

IMO best bowling attack on recent form is
Southee
Jamieson
Wagner
Boult/Ajaz, depending on conditions.

Boult could turn that around with a five-fer this match though.

 

[Prince EWS]

I went to sleep at tea so I'm just catching up, but I'm surprised to see Stone batted ahead of Wood. I'm also disappointed he got out before Lawrence so we didn't see a Pacific Ale partnership.

 

[nzfan]

I'll reserve my comments on Ajaz for now. Its only the first day of the match and how he's bowling will be found when he bowls in the 2nd inning when he's under some pressure to perform. The two wickets weren't because he bowled great deliveries but he built reasonable pressure and England looked to score of him.

We know Indian batting is twice as good particularly vs spin. If Ajaz bowls really well in the second inning then he puts a bit of pressure on the management to play him. He'll replace Wagner if that happens in my opinion.

Still some distance to go in this test match. If we struggle to bat and England goes on to score 320+ it may work against Ajaz.

I can't think how we can go into the wtc finals without a spinner but if we do go with Ajaz and have to play 4 fast bowlers the batting will look quite weak at least on paper.

Hoping we score good runs and would benefit if a big one comes from Taylor, Latham or Nicholls. Conway is in good touch so no worries there.

 

[Bahnz]

Yeah I think that if he plays he’ll replace Wagner as well. A bit telling that Wagner is the only quick from the first test not to be rested.

 

[NZTailender]

Henry looks much uglier than I remember

 

[NZTailender]

Normally I’d say NZ noses in front, but with out KW, Wagner at 8 and having to bat last on a dry pitch I think that was a good day for England.

Flip side England have 4 bowlers & Root. So unless we get a Broad special, we may just grind them into the dust.

Or the pitch will turn heaps and Root will take 5fer.

 

[Bahnz]

Flip side England have 4 bowlers & Root. So unless we get a Broad special, we may just grind them into the dust.

Or the pitch will turn heaps and Root will take 5fer.

Yeah, Root’s a bit better than your average part time spinner. Would back him to pick up 2 or 3 on day 5.

 

[Nintendo]

The English batting is always pretty crappy but they just don't lose home test series, think the last one was Sri Lanka 7 years ago? They look useless for 95% of every summer but then the other 5% is the touring side getting bowled out for 27 on a cloudy day.

Losing to Australia was kind of a defeat tbf. But that Australia team is the kind of level you'd need to be at to be the bookies' favourites.

I mean tbf as an Australian can we really weren't to good that series. It was a 4 man show with occasional cameos from Wade and Lyon

 

[SteveNZ]

I went to sleep at tea so I'm just catching up, but I'm surprised to see Stone batted ahead of Wood. I'm also disappointed he got out before Lawrence so we didn't see a Pacific Ale partnership.

That is the best beer I've ever tried I reckon. Absolute pure drop.

 

[cnerd123]

Ajaz is quality

 

[Spark]

I agree that it wasn't the highest quality series in terms of the pure standard of cricket, but IIRC the bowling was actually pretty good on the whole and should probably count in favour of Bell's legacy from that series (or at least, not against it)

Oh yeah definitely. But the relatively low quality compared to what came before for England or since for Australia is probably why it doesn't stick in the memory. England weren't that great - as shown six months later - but they were still far too good for that particular Australian side.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Oh yeah definitely. But the relatively low quality compared to what came before for England or since for Australia is probably why it doesn't stick in the memory. England weren't that great - as shown six months later - but they were still far too good for that particular Australian side.

The fixture congestion wasn't great either lbh

 

[straw man]

Statswatch: If Henry takes one more wicket this innings and concedes fewer than 36 runs, dat test bowling average will move below 50.

 

[Nintendo]

If Lawrence turns this 67 into a bigger score and pope doesn't score much in the second dig what Do England do? When the ipl guys are back there's only really 1 middle order spot up for grabs.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Oh yeah definitely. But the relatively low quality compared to what came before for England or since for Australia is probably why it doesn't stick in the memory. England weren't that great - as shown six months later - but they were still far too good for that particular Australian side.

If we're talking about the 2013 Ashes I thought Australia's bowling was pretty bad for most of it, with the exception of Ryan Harris. They came in with the hype of Starc and Pattinson opening on day 1 and they were ****. Siddle was ok but below his usual standard. Spin was bad they didn't even pick Lyon until the 3rd Test IIRC and Agar was unthreatening as I've seen a spinner outside of Australia. Tells a story that when Faulkner came in for his 1 Test he was actually a vast improvement on what they served up before him.

If we're not talking about 2013 . . . carry on

 

[BoyBrumby]

If Lawrence turns this 67 into a bigger score and pope doesn't score much in the second dig what Do England do? When the ipl guys are back there's only really 1 middle order spot up for grabs.

Drop Crawley.

Not sure either Pope or Lawrence at #3 fills me with much confidence, but Crawley has almost literally not scored a run since his 267 vs. Pakistan.

The lanky doofus keeps essaying that same drive and nicking that same ball to the slips.