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

[_Ed_]

I can almost guarantee if they lose a wicket close to a declaration we’ll see Southee out there.

Yeah, there's so much time left in this game anyway and the weather looks mostly good (maybe some showers tomorrow, but then fine again on Tuesday and Wednesday), so it would be rude not to give him one last cameo.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

I saw Brook out there practicing his golf swing when he noticed the camera on him. All this ‘we’d rather be playing golf’ stuff comes across as arrogant and disrespectful, a convenient cop out.

It's the same as his batting style tbf

 

[cricman]

I saw Brook out there practicing his golf swing when he noticed the camera on him. All this ‘we’d rather be playing golf’ stuff comes across as arrogant and disrespectful, a convenient cop out.

When did Gareth Bale manage England?

NZ should make it hurt for England in this test. Nothing to play for WTC wise but they should try to inflict a heavy
target/defeat, also Brook and Root are 1 & 2, I wouldn't feel safe nothing short of 600 tbh

 

[Prince EWS]

I can almost guarantee if they lose a wicket close to a declaration we’ll see Southee out there.

I can even see someone being asked to retire out to let him do it if there's a big partnership.

 

[Bahnz]

One other thing Young brings to the side is he's a very reliable catcher at gully.

 

[ScaryMinds]

Slightly unsporting of NZ not to enforce the follow on instead of trying to actually win the game.

England would’ve caved anyway. Clearly they’ve been on the golf course all week and would happily get there again asap.

Strangely seems to be the way of the modern game.

Can only speculate they want Southee to have another bat after he was carted all round the ground when bowling, final game and all that.

 

[SteveNZ]

What a scorecard to wake up to. Have England just lost all intensity here because the series is over?

Certainty felt that way. I thought we'd have a fair chance this week given they are out of running for the WTC, the sun is shining, Baz likes a beer and there's a few holes to play.

 

[kevinw]

Strangely seems to be the way of the modern game.

Can only speculate they want Southee to have another bat after he was carted all round the ground when bowling, final game and all that.

Absolutely no need to enforce the follow on in this situation. Bat for at least two sessions tomorrow at good pace, you're still going to win the game easily, and you're not risking your bowlers.

 

[Moss]

I guess this test has shown there’s something to be said for picking players in form. In the Sri Lanka ODIs that took place just before this series it was pretty obvious to anyone who watched that Young was carrying on well from the India tests (though as usual not converting starts), and Santner is right at the top of his game (long may it continue). Can understand the selectors’ dilemma, playing Young as opener has broken him in the past and they were never going to drop Southee. That said, spin should always be a serious consideration for this team when going up against a Bazball-like approach from the opponent.

 

[jcas0167]

Strangely seems to be the way of the modern game.

Can only speculate they want Southee to have another bat after he was carted all round the ground when bowling, final game and all that.

Mark Taylor raised some eyebrows when he did it in the 94/95 Ashes to give the bowlers a break. Not sure why anyone would be surprised at it happening these days. Also deprives the opposition the opportunity to set an awkward target as the pitch deteriorates.

 

[Starfighter]

Slightly unsporting of NZ not to enforce the follow on instead of trying to actually win the game.

England would’ve caved anyway. Clearly they’ve been on the golf course all week and would happily get there again asap.

Strangely seems to be the way of the modern game.

Can only speculate they want Southee to have another bat after he was carted all round the ground when bowling, final game and all that.

No it's not. With this much time left in the game, enforcing the follow on is the action of the arrogant and the foolish. You're less likely to win than if you bat again.

 

[SteveNZ]

Strangely seems to be the way of the modern game.

Can only speculate they want Southee to have another bat after he was carted all round the ground when bowling, final game and all that.

Or that 18 months ago, or two seasons ago in @thierry henry terms, England lost in very similar circumstances enforcing the follow on.

I dunno if it was clear seeing the players on TV today but it was HOT as a mother ****er at Seddon. Sending those guys into bowl again would not have been popular in the bowling group

 

[wellAlbidarned]

I guess this test has shown there’s something to be said for picking players in form. In the Sri Lanka ODIs that took place just before this series it was pretty obvious to anyone who watched that Young was carrying on well from the India tests (though as usual not converting starts), and Santner is right at the top of his game (long may it continue). Can understand the selectors’ dilemma, playing Young as opener has broken him in the past and they were never going to drop Southee. That said, firmly spin should always be a serious consideration for this team when going up against a Bazball-like approach from the opponent.

Santner is literally the perfect anti-bazball spinner too

 

[Prince EWS]

Santner is literally the perfect anti-bazball spinner too

It's exactly why/how he got Stokes out too. Pope less so, but still.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Strangely seems to be the way of the modern game.

Can only speculate they want Southee to have another bat after he was carted all round the ground when bowling, final game and all that.

They picked a spinner as they wanted to bowl last. Why give away a trump card

 

[flibbertyjibber]

And pad stats

Get Southee to 100 6s hopefully. Not like he will do anything with the ball.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

It's exactly why/how he got Stokes out too. Pope less so, but still.

it's really funny to me that stokes has played a whole career never evolving his play of spin past "I'll just slog sweep them and hope the captain gets spooked"

 

[Prince EWS]

it's really funny to me that stokes has played a whole career never evolving his play of spin past "I'll just slog sweep them and hope the captain gets spooked"

It's even funnier how often it still works. Worked so well against Ajaz in England that he bowled like two overs and then got dropped for Michael Bracewell to bat eight and be the fourth bowler.

 

[Moss]

It's even funnier how often it still works. Worked so well against Ajaz in England that he bowled like two overs and then got dropped for Michael Bracewell to bat eight and be the fourth bowler.

That for me was an all time poor captaincy moment, both from a tactical and man-management perspective, and a pretty good illustration of the difference between these two sides since 2022.

 

[trundler]

it's really funny to me that stokes has played a whole career never evolving his play of spin past "I'll just slog sweep them and hope the captain gets spooked"

It's also why he averages 26 in Asia and probably sub 20 on turners.