***Official*** England in New Zealand 2018

[Flem274*]

He has to be close to done, no? You can't carry an opener who doesn't do anything of substance for 9 out of 10 innings, regardless of how impressive the 1 of 10 is.

who replaces him though?

 

[Bahnz]

KW such a defensive captain. Everyone knows this is a new ball pitch, and yet doesn't even have a gully in place against a compulsive stroke player like Vince.

 

[Flem274*]

you could argue the rotation of blokes scoring 30s every other knock is better than nothing nothing ton but you'd be brave to punt cook for another stoneman/lyth/carberry/compton

 

[vandem]

Thick edge from Vince ... don't know why Kane didn't have a fielder there, seems too early to defend with an extra cover fielder. This game is still winnable for the NZers, and based on the first two innings, best chance is for edges in the first 20 overs.

 

[vandem]

Interesting test today for Kane's captaincy, can he use a leggie successfully in a 3rd innings? Unfortunately I think we'll see de Grandhomme blocking up an end for 12-15 overs, then Sodhi appearing when England are 3-180 with set middle order players.

 

[straw man]

Interesting test today for Kane's captaincy, can he use a leggie successfully in a 3rd innings? Unfortunately I think we'll see de Grandhomme blocking up an end for 12-15 overs, then Sodhi appearing when England are 3-180 with set middle order players.

If this happens I will be fuming, and I wouldn't be surprised if it does. Coney talking about the same thing on the radio right now.

 

[Daemon]

you could argue the rotation of blokes scoring 30s every other knock is better than nothing nothing ton but you'd be brave to punt cook for another stoneman/lyth/carberry/compton

Hameed?

Carberry was hard done by but imo wasn't going to succeed at the level anyways.

 

[Flem274*]

i want to see sodhi give the ball some air in this innings. you're not going to beat proper test batsmen off the pitch in nz like you can in white ball cricket where they have to come at you.

 

[Flem274*]

wags has looked very floaty in this test

 

[Prince EWS]

KW such a defensive captain. Everyone knows this is a new ball pitch, and yet doesn't even have a gully in place against a compulsive stroke player like Vince.

If I could only have one fielder on the entire field against Vince I'd put him at gully. It's beyond just overly defensive and into the realm of outright bad.

 

[Prince EWS]

He has to be close to done, no? You can't carry an opener who doesn't do anything of substance for 9 out of 10 innings, regardless of how impressive the 1 of 10 is.

You can carry an opener doing whatever as long as whatever is better than what you think the next guy would do.

 

[Athlai]

You can carry an opener doing whatever as long as whatever is better than what you think the next guy would do.

The Guptill clause.

 

[Athlai]

CDG bowling well always makes me feel weird.

 

[morgieb]

You can carry an opener doing whatever as long as whatever is better than what you think the next guy would do.

That's the issue with England, not only are they carrying a few passengers, it's hard to see replacements doing much better. Realistically Cook would near jettison level and Vince, Stoneman, Moeen and Woakes (yeah I know the latter two aren't playing but they're still in the mix) out of the side, but England's depth is pretty atrocious.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Actually surprised that Sodhi is coming on already. This is super attacking by Williamson's standards.

 

[Flem274*]

i am concerned

the guys who have struggled a bit look at ease. getting through root, stokes, bairstow will prove challenging.

 

[Gnske]

Wow this Vince guy looks great, why have England waited so long to play this fella?

 

[91Jmay]

We need 350 at minimum. If Vince/Stoneman look this assured imagine what KW/Ross will do.

 

[Immenso]

i am concerned

the guys who have struggled a bit look at ease. getting through root, stokes, bairstow will prove challenging.

Well done for only being concerned. I'm outright conceding defeat.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I think this game is heading to drawsville, tbh. It's looking like great batting conditions out there, and I don't see it deteriorating too much. NZ will only have to bat out four and a bit sessions, most likely, because I doubt England will want to let them chase 350.