**Official** England in New Zealand 28 Nov-18 Dec 2024 - 3 Tests

[Hungry Llama]

Stokes determined to show he can still bowl, probably wont be able to walk tomorrow, but daft not to let the spinners have a bowl if only to give the seamers a rest. The bazball barrage again failed to finish off the tail cheaply. I thought Hamilton had a rep for helping the spinners?

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Stokes determined to show he can still bowl, probably wont be able to walk tomorrow, but daft not to let the spinners have a bowl if only to give the seamers a rest. The bazball barrage again failed to finish off the tail cheaply. I thought Hamilton had a rep for helping the spinners?

For domestic games it often rags but the test pitch is usually just slow and flat and marginally less hostile to spinners than hagley

 

[ashley bach]

Only 42 but another tick for Young

 

[Molehill]

Only 42 but another tick for Young

It was a pretty lucky 42 though. I gave up watching after he edged two boundaries in succession.

 

[AndrewB]

I heard them say on radio it has only ever happened twice (0-3 @ home in a 3 test series) that time against the GOAT Aussies, and once to England in the 50s.

In 1963 v England (the NZ v Eng 50s series were all 2 Tests).

 

[slowfinger]

Just caught up on the highlights from the afternoon and evening sessions that I'd largely missed and while it is incredibly frustrating seeing our batsmen getting out in such infuriating ways again, I think in this case there's at least some blame down to the pitch being very two-paced. You play a shot at one ball and it races along the ground to the boundary; get a similar one landing in a different patch of grass and it comes on too slowly and goes in the air. Of course, it would be nice if they were a bit more judicious with their shotmaking but we can guarantee England also won't be and I just hope we bowl consistently enough to test them out. I will be there tomorrow so will let the coaches know my thoughts and an invitation for interview is bound to follow

keep us updated

 

[Betterpolo]

Just caught up on the highlights from the afternoon and evening sessions that I'd largely missed and while it is incredibly frustrating seeing our batsmen getting out in such infuriating ways again, I think in this case there's at least some blame down to the pitch being very two-paced. You play a shot at one ball and it races along the ground to the boundary; get a similar one landing in a different patch of grass and it comes on too slowly and goes in the air. Of course, it would be nice if they were a bit more judicious with their shotmaking but we can guarantee England also won't be and I just hope we bowl consistently enough to test them out. I will be there tomorrow so will let the coaches know my thoughts and an invitation for interview is bound to follow

Completely agree. Over here Alistair Cook did some good analysis of the off-side field England set and bowled full to. Basically, hit it well you get 4 well done, miscue and 4 fielders at different depths for the catches. And I do think variable pace played a role.

Have to say Williamson was looking top class, very grateful that he couldn't build on his start. Some of Santner's shot were ridiculous, I guess one way of dealing with tennis ball bounce is to play tennis shots

 

[Betterpolo]

Meanwhile, over here it looks like TNT Sports gave their American Intern the log-in to their social media last night

 

[Fuller Pilch]

In 1963 v England (the NZ v Eng 50s series were all 2 Tests).

Thanks. I didn't catch the year clearly but heard some of the names mentioned.

 

[SteveNZ]

I just saw that Baz presented the caps to our playing XI last night!! I don't mind us being good hosts but that is absolutely ridiculous. Be fHe also would've known Santner for Smith was confirmed ahead of the toss. Fraternise after the series, not during.

Hmmm, I can't say I agree. Baz was named in that hall of Fame XI last week, he's an NZ cricket great, he was in presenting to an old team mate and friend. XIs are generally named a day or two out, there's little benefit to knowing Santner is in. And it isn't the 80s and 90s anymore when Allan Border refused to talk to Gower for a whole series. These guys are friendly and play franchise cricket together, have a beer, and hopefully it doesn't mute their competitiveness

 

[SteveNZ]

Santner at 7 is possible. It's where he started his test career. But after de Grandhomme had debut success the following year there hasn't really been a starting test spot for Santner on normal NZ pitches, didn't need two holding-bowler all-rounders in the starting XI.

Phillips could be good enough to bat at 5 when Mitchell's career ends, then Hay at 6, Santner at 7, bowling all-rounder at 8 (Nathan Smith / Zac Foulkes) then 3 specialist quicks (including Sears or Fisher who won't need to bowl more than 15 overs a day).

You can't have a guy at 7 who averages 25 as a high bar, and that's Santner. He batted well yesterday but that's not what you'll get more often than not.

Phillips at 5, Hay 7, then someone like Dale Phillips or the next best middle order player at 6

 

[Immenso]

Absolute trash collection of day 1 wickets, again.

 

[Immenso]

I assume stats don't back this up, and it's probably the first time ever ..

But, why did that Kane played on seem so not unexpected. How many times has he almost done that with his stupid 45-degree-bat soft block.

 

[Betterpolo]

I assume stats don't back this up, and it's probably the first time ever ..

But, why did that Kane played on seem so unexpected. How many times has he almost done that with his stupid 45-degree-bat soft block.

Interesting comment. I haven't seen enough of this innings or recent batting generally to comment, but can see how playing with soft hands may end up looking like that. I don't agree with the idea that he was unlucky, end of the day the bowler breached his defences.

 

[Dick Rockett]

But, why did that Kane played on seem so unexpected. How many times has he almost done that with his stupid 45-degree-bat soft block.

I wasn't surprised. He's gotten out many times just like this or doing his smart alec little dab to third man

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

He almost got out the same way at Hagley, as it happens.

 

[hazsa19]

Our tactics to 'established batsman'/ tailender partnerships have been easily the most frustrating thing about the Stokes era. What are we doing here?

 

[straw man]

I don't feel like this is a bad first innings score at all, especially if Santner can slog another 20 or 30 runs tomorrow morning. The problem for NZ is they've only got two bowlers likely to be of any use on this deck tomorrow, so if England make it through the first session only 2 or 3 down NZ are in for a world of hurt.

Yes agree, though NZ had England 4 down for not much a couple of times this series already, and couldn't get through the middle order. England's fast scoring diminishes the importance of the second new ball, too.

New ball wickets and then Santa to spin England out, I guess?

 

[kevinw]

Our tactics to 'established batsman'/ tailender partnerships have been easily the most frustrating thing about the Stokes era. What are we doing here?

Agree, get the guy on strike out and don't bank on the one ball in the over you'll get at the rabbit. Plus, it's a new day, Santner isn't set yet.

 

[Bahnz]

Jeez, Potts looks awfully gentle for the morning of day 2.