*Official* New Zealand in England 2021

[hazsa19]

Still could be but this would be a cracker if the catches had been taken

 

[Moss]

Time for the engine room to do its thing. Get NZ to 400 at least please.

 

[nzfan]

Wouldn't suggest bowling short to Tom Blundell though.

 

[Athlai]

Just remembered how giant a nosebleed we have at 8

 

[straw man]

If we lose max one wicket in the first 20 overs of the new ball we are right in the box seat. If we lose three then England are suddenly into our tail with Wagner very high at 8. Quite a stark difference.

Hmmm, attitude of everyone all morning is NZ are right on top, but one more wicket and the awful tail starts. England could still keep the lead to 60 odd.

These two will be very proactive while they're in though.

 

[Athlai]

Blundell has creamed 3 fours now, think that nervy start ended a while ago

 

[nzfan]

Happy to accept I thought Darryl Mitchell is one the most average player to make the black caps. Never thought he's good enough to play for black caps let alone in test cricket. He's not that bad.

 

[Moss]

These two will be very proactive while they're in though.

Any thoughts on why Blundell’s List A record is below par? He seems to have the ideal game for the format.

 

[thierry henry]

Blundell has creamed 3 fours now, think that nervy start ended a while ago

Yeah Hussein is completely no-selling Blundell for some reason

 

[hendrix]

Happy to accept I thought Darryl Mitchell is one the most average player to make the black caps. Never thought he's good enough to play for black caps let alone in test cricket. He's not that bad.

I've been shocked with how well he's done and looked so far too. I'd always just seen him as a bog standard NZ domestic cricketer.

There's value in selecting blokes in their late 20s/right at their peak when they just really know their game and there's no confidence issues.

 

[jcas0167]

Happy to accept I thought Darryl Mitchell is one the most average player to make the black caps. Never thought he's good enough to play for black caps let alone in test cricket. He's not that bad.

I think he's kept improving to the point he's now a dominant figure in domestic cricket and seems to have taken that assurance into international cricket. He's strong off the backfoot which has helped with the transition to test cricket

 

[straw man]

Any thoughts on why Blundell’s List A record is below par? He seems to have the ideal game for the format.

I don't know really. Though he's not the only decent NZ batsman with a surprisingly crap List A record. Ford Trophy just too much of an afterthought?

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Better second hour from England, but New Zealand still making all the running as they have through most of the series.

 

[Moss]

Happy to accept I thought Darryl Mitchell is one the most average player to make the black caps. Never thought he's good enough to play for black caps let alone in test cricket. He's not that bad.

If NZ’s allrounder was a combination of Mitchell’s batting and CdG’s bowling there probably wouldn’t be any debate about his place in the side.

Still early days for Mitchell but happy with the allrounder situation after Anderson and Neesham failed to live up to their initial red ball promise.

 

[nzfan]

Any thoughts on why Blundell’s List A record is below par? He seems to have the ideal game for the format.

Mostly played in the lower order after making the firebirds side. Only in the last 2-3 years hes been batting up the order. Also the basin deck and the dimensions.

 

[Bahnz]

Sigh, well it was a charmed life for Ross this morning, but not charmed enough. Terrific gutsy knock to get 80 when he was looking like Southee with the bat yesterday evening. Here’s hoping he takes confidence from this to the Ajaz Bowl.

 

[Nintendo]

Mostly played in the lower order after making the firebirds side. Only in the last 2-3 years hes been batting up the order. Also the basin deck and the dimensions.

Made back to back hundreds just before the Firebirds got knocked out by that Nathan Smith 50 at the back end of the last tournament, probably down to a lack of time at the crease.

 

[cnerd123]

sincerely hope this isn't Bracey's last Test. Was thrown into the deep end. Deserves another chance when he's ready.

NZ have been excellent.

 

[straw man]

godammit

 

[Moss]

Careless from Mitchell. Missed out on a chance to capitalise on the platform set, and given England a shot at the tail.