Maybe they wanted to wait for the new ball to be taken to make it easier for him to send that ball travelling.There’s no guarantee that Southee would come out and smash two 6’s. He’s equally likely to be clean bowled or hit one ‘straight up’. Does he deserve a batting record after a career of reckless slogging when he could have knuckled down for the bloke at the other end?
Well that's my question - I don't know whose call it is. If it's Rachin's, it's weak. If it's Latham's or Stead's, it's also weak but it puts Rachin in a real invidious spot. I presume it's a team edict, that they must have a night watchman with a certain amount of overs before the close. I hate it
I was about to say the exact thing. I said earlier on when we were 2-0 up that this showing doesn't really give me much confidence for the Ashes and watching this I'm even less confident
Over analysis I think, fact is Southee is on 98 sixes and NZ are in declaration batting mode where runs aren't an issue at this stage, would cost nothing to let Southee have a go at the record. I mean Southee's selection is based on sentimentality instead of form so you might aswell allow him to try for 100 sixes.There’s no guarantee that Southee would come out and smash two 6’s. He’s equally likely to be clean bowled or hit one ‘straight up’. Does he deserve a batting record after a career of reckless slogging when he could have knuckled down for the bloke at the other end?
That would require acknowledgement of the radical take that batting time for time’s sake does sometimes have value!
Heaps. Even though the chance of England playing for a draw is infinitesimal.
Hardly had any cricket in 2020, and was great in 2023 (55.91 average with 2 centuries).
