*Official* 2022 New Zealand Tour of England, Ireland, Scotland & Netherlands

[ashley bach]

Huge this last 10 overs really. 14-3 in a game with so many runs so quickly is massive.

Now to not drop catches when the come as this is the pair we need.

Feels like that short delay was a big turning point.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Batman and Robin are back together in the middle again.

 

[Howsie]

The most ****ed thing about the incompetence of Stead and co is that he moved these two down a spot each after everything they have done this series.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

The most ****ed thing about the incompetence of Stead and co is that he moved these two down a spot each after everything they have done this series.

The one thing about Blundell is you haven't missed Watling as he couldn't have done any better. Guess he has to prove it long term though.

Top order has been a disaster.

 

[Howsie]

The one thing about Blundell is you haven't missed Watling as he couldn't have done any better. Guess he has to prove it long term though.

Top order has been a disaster.

Yeah, I mean we all loved BJ but it’s was quite obvious during those last 12 months he was done at this level.

Blundell has played some excellent innings during his short career so far.He could be a level a live Watling if he’s that type of guy normally

 

[thundaboult]

This isn't true. He's been fit to play for ages, we just refuse to consider him after injuring him through our own mismanagement.

Fire Gary Stead, Shane Jurgensen and Gavin Larsen

Would absolutely love to see it. But I can't see Lockie choosing to play FC cricket now, too much money from T20 leagues.

 

[Moss]

NZ surrendering positions of advantage has become quite the theme over this series. Guess the only question now is will they find any new and interesting ways of doing so for the remainder of the test, or will England shut the door on them once and for all?

 

[grecian]

Broad now more 6s than those hacks sanga and Yousuf, Southee's record still ridiculous.

 

[NZTailender]

Conway lucky that there are worse performances by his teammates than his 150 runs at 25. Very disappointing series for him.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I went to sleep with Latham and Williamson in and things looking good. And now this!

 

[Burgey]

Looking forward to NZ recovering to set England 720 which they chase down in 43 overs with an hour to spare on day five. Southee 0/526 (12)

 

[Skyliner]

A great line from Ian Anderson writing for Stuff -

‘New Zealand may yet regret opting to use Michael Bracewell as their spin option when England start out in pursuit of their third consecutive successful fourth-innings chase.

Bracewell was woefully insignificant when the hosts raced to victory with five wickets to spare at Trent Bridge; his eight overs costing 60 runs.

Employing him at No 8 in the batting order for the third test appeared more conservative than the US Supreme Court.’

 

[Skyliner]

I reckon the more defensive and gritty mindset required of an opener actually suited Conway. Had him playing straighter and knuckling down early doors, then making hay when well set. His technique seems to have loosened up, lots of inside edges, shots where the hand comes off the bat.

 

[kaetor]

It's probably been said already, but you aren't looking to win a game by picking 3 bowlers.

Might be a controversial take, but if you have an allrounder who couldn't make it in the team on batting or bowling alone, they shouldn't be there at all. I'd rather have a long tail and back the batting lineup to do their job than some half-assed stop-gap in the middle.

To be fair to Bracewell, I think he is a decent enough batsman, just not good enough to justify being there. The Leach/Bracewell bowling contrast has been pretty evident this game.

 

[Bahnz]

Ah well here’s hoping Blundell and Mitchell can channel Daft Punk and do it one more time.

Conway I think is just getting worked out. That technique of his playing slightly outside the line of the ball is made for bowlers who take the ball across him. Doesn’t mean he’s bad now, but he’s got something he needs to work on.

 

[kaetor]

I reckon the more defensive and gritty mindset required of an opener actually suited Conway. Had him playing straighter and knuckling down early doors, then making hay when well set. His technique seems to have loosened up, lots of inside edges, shots where the hand comes off the bat.

Agreed. Young goes too hard too early. Why did Conway stop opening in the first place? It was weird, it was like he did a good job, then he was replaced by another non-opener. I suppose an element of it is that Conway is regarded as valuable, so having him at 4 might be more beneficial where the new-ball factor isn't a thing.

Not that I think Conway opening would have worked at all given how he's been getting out this series.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I went to sleep with Latham and Williamson

So this entire tour can be blamed on you being useless in the sack.

 

[kaetor]

I don't feel all doom and gloom about this series really though. I think we've had a lot of good moments, just we've let England off the hook when we were in the driving seat, whereas most of the time they are ahead they press the advantage. Slight change of fate and we could win this test or the last

 

[Bahnz]

I don't feel all doom and gloom about this series really though. I think we've had a lot of good moments, just we've let England off the hook when we were in the driving seat, whereas most of the time they are ahead they press the advantage. Slight change of fate and we could win this test or the last

Don’t really agree. Both sides have been pretty bad in terms of getting into dominant positions and then letting the opposition off the hook. Has been an entertaining series between two flawed, relatively evenly matched sides where one’s just been consistently a bit better than the other. Given how New Zealand were playing a year ago that’s a pretty troubling state of affairs.

 

[straw man]

Last two tests when we were setting a target and then England began chasing, I always believed NZ would break through and win up until it was completely clear we wouldn't. But at essentially 137/5 and completely reliant on the Mitchell/Blundell yet again I have to say this time I don't believe. One wicket in the morning and we will get rolled imo.

Bad middle order collapse, Nicholls sub par and agree with Bahnz that Conway is facing scrutiny and analysis of his technique that he never would've faced before (even if his mode of dismissal yesterday was not one of the identified weaknesses). Will be interesting watching him adapt over the next season.