*Official* England in New Zealand 2019

[Moss]

Very unlike Nicholls to give it away like that.

England have demanded respect this morning, game on.

 

[Woodster]

Credit for NZ sticking with Nicholls. Averaged only 31 after 14 tests with the 1 hundred, looked always good for a duck, but now has a test average at 45 with 5 hundreds.

Now England have re-located his weakness, a short ball around 120kph should do it.

 

[straw man]

This is turning into a poor innings by nz. Relying on the debutant to bail us out.

 

[Moss]

This is turning into a poor innings by nz. Relying on the debutant to bail us out.

Think Taylor especially should feel cross with himself for not kicking on. Expect the senior pro to be more ruthless, though he's been prone to giving it away early in tests lately.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

walked past seddon early this morning and told bj he's a ****ing legend. hopefully my inspiration will prove sufficient again.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Decent hit

 

[King Pietersen]

Never seen Mitchell play before, but he looks a very tidy player. Positive, times the ball nicely, gets into decent positions. Could be a dangerous partnership this one.

 

[Moss]

Nice straight hit Mitchell. Looked alright thus far.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Denly really is an absolute prank bowler

 

[Woodster]

If Archer doesn’t step it up next over I’d have him out of the attack, he can’t waste this new ball bowling 130 kph, Curran can do that, and swing it. Get Woakes on.

 

[Moss]

Think Mitchell was stone dead there. Would be interesting to see ball tracking.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

archer's natural length is useless in NZ. Needs to pitch it up a foot or two.

 

[Woodster]

I think I’m going to have a love/hate relationship with Archer. Some spells during the Ashes there was so much to enjoy about his bowling, he looked utterly unfazed by the occasion, he bowled rapidly and looked like he had the capabilities to be a top bowler, and just as importantly, he could be the type of bowler that would give us a cutting edge on flat decks.

Fast forward to this series, and I find myself hugely frustrated he isn’t hitting those heights or look remotely like he can do. Now, I accept there are potential mitigating factors, perhaps he just hasn’t got his rhythm and to still hit mid 130’s with a fair degree of accuracy is as good as can be expected. Perhaps the summer took a hell of a lot out of him. Maybe we’re still working out how best to use him. But ultimately he has looked lethargic, disinterested at times (I appreciate he has that casual look about him even when he’s pumped it just looks worse when it’s not happening for him), and not remotely threatening. This second new ball should’ve been identified as a very key part of this Test, a fiery spell, a couple of wickets would probably have seen us on top, instead it was another almost apologetic effort for a bowler with his tools.

 

[Cabinet96]

In his last 804 balls in tests the only time Walting has got out was a declaration dismissal ffs.

 

[Mike5181]

Ian Smith talking about Daryl Mitchell being a potential test opener, and it being seriously entertained by the other commentators, hurts me to the core.

 

[NZTailender]

On Woakes

 

[Mike5181]

Last 10 Ov (Run Rate)
9/0 (0.90)

peak test cricket.

 

[maggot8210]

Great looking bloke this Daryl Mitchell. Hope he goes big

 

[Days of Grace]

This is my one criticism of Watling. We are going nowhere at the moment. The bowlers look tired. Push it on a little bit.

 

[straw man]

I guess with the second new ball 23 overs old, they may think if they just keep batting and ensure they give England nothing, then fairly soon English spirits will flag and scoring will be easier.

To their credit the English bowlers have been very tight this morning. But I don't know how long they can keep it up.