*Official* England in NZ 2023

[Niall]

Quite sad now

Big Harry knocks this off in 20 minutes. All Good.

 

[silentstriker]

This is so amazing!

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Oh I don't know. You've lost a nightwatchmanhawk and an by far our best opener (who will probably be dropped after the Ashes before Crawley anyway). Now you're into the real batsmen.

Fixed.

Also Ollie Pope looking like Chris Martin/Zak Crawley out there right now.

 

[GIMH]

Shitting bricks

 

[silentstriker]

I have to say, ESPN+ is great in the USA for watching both of these series.

 

[trundler]

That over should settle some nerves. Scratchy runs but very valuable right now.

 

[straw man]

No, and I'd prefer if we debuted a mid 20s bowler v Sri Lanka rather than pick a 33 year-old stopgap who won't play against Aus & SA next summer.

Yeah part of NZ's problem is there is no test experience among the backup group outside of Matt Henry. So picking Boult for a one-off should come before picking a true random like say Logan van Beek, but after giving matches to the next core group.

Southee - 92 tests
Boult [basically retired] - 78 tests
Wagner [almost retired] - 61 tests
Henry - 19 tests
Jamieson [serious injury] - 16 tests
...
Tickner - 1 test
the other guy - 1 test
Ferguson - 0.1 tests
Sears, Shipley, Smith etc - yet to debut

Though I could kinda imagine if the coach was someone like McCullum, he'd find a way to twist Boult's ear into coming back to properly play for NZ next season.

Stead will not take any risk vs SL. He has not had much success in tests over the last year or so. He will stick with the same squad and hope to win two test matches to finish his test coaching. He wouldn't give a damn about who the next coach is or what he's left with to work.

Infuriating but probably true.

 

[wpdavid]

****ting bricks

You, or Ollie Pope? I haven't seen him looking so nervous since those tests in India a couple of years ago.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

That over should settle some nerves. Scratchy runs but very valuable right now.

Edging closer to the target.

Strong emphasis on "edge".

 

[GIMH]

You, or Ollie Pope? I haven't seen him looking so nervous since those tests in India a couple of years ago.

Both frankly

I’m exhausted. Need to get my head down.And yet

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

@chris.hinton - GIMH is having a stressful time. Can you please drop in and tell him how this match finishes?

 

[wpdavid]

Both frankly

I’m exhausted. Need to get my head down.And yet

And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, etc, ...'

 

[trundler]

Gower laying into Crawley throughout that over. Lovely.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Stead will not take any risk vs SL. He has not had much success in tests over the last year or so. He will stick with the same squad and hope to win two test matches to finish his test coaching. He wouldn't give a damn about who the next coach is or what he's left with to work.

So much for coaches saying they want to leave teams in a better way than when they started with them.

 

[slippy888]

I told you guys on New Zealand to win was a good bet

 

[ataraxia]

1899's the last time England swept a winter! It's 5 tests not even against bad opposition, this.

 

[Howe_zat]

A lot riding on whether Wagner can keep up the pressure. I was promised shitty change bowling, I merely demand what was promised

 

[chris.hinton]

Giving New Zealand a sniff is nice of the boys. But an easy win expected

Brook is improving as a bowler btw. 18 months and he would lead the NZ attack

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Yes boi!

 

[ataraxia]

Hope we keep the keeper up for the true madness to come