I agree, just I don't think NZ will be overly concerned as the pitch is good to bat on and they should get a decent score on the board. Both sides were going to bowl but it isn't a pitch that bowlers will be relishing getting the ball on.I think bowling first is probably the right call. Gives them the best possible chance of forcing a result if it turns out to be another England vs. the draw type match.
I seriously don't know what they're watching then. Between the odd half-decent shot, Fulton has looked utterly awful this morning. Keeps playing at deliveries 3 feet wide of off-stump when it's crucial these two see off the new ball. Is lucky to still be there imo.The radio commentators have said that Fulton looks pretty good. Apparently moving his feet with a lot more purpose, and is wafting far less outside the off-stump.
EDIT: as I say that, Fulton nicks one through the vacant 4th slip for 4.
Would appreciate a few more ones and twos. At this stage of his career, Rutherford seems pretty easy to stop up. Good to have an opening pair that can get through the opening 10 overs unscathed though.
Finn in particular has been too short all series.tbf England have Bowles pretty poorly. Anderson has been excellent but Broad and now Finn just haven't been full enough.
It's the effect of having Rutherford in the team. They're targeting his lack of scoring shots on the backfoot, which is good for slowing the run rate, but not so good for making the most of the new ball.tbf England have Bowles pretty poorly. Anderson has been excellent but Broad and now Finn just haven't been full enough.
He's our batting equivalent of Neil Wagner. Somehow has passable performances in the series, despite looking inept a lot of the time.I seriously don't know what they're watching then. Between the odd half-decent shot, Fulton has looked utterly awful this morning. Keeps playing at deliveries 3 feet wide of off-stump when it's crucial these two see off the new ball. Is lucky to still be there imo.
The radio commentators have said that Fulton looks pretty good. Apparently moving his feet with a lot more purpose, and is wafting far less outside the off-stump.
EDIT: as I say that, Fulton nicks one through the vacant 4th slip for 4.
Would appreciate a few more ones and twos. At this stage of his career, Rutherford seems pretty easy to stop up. Good to have an opening pair that can get through the opening 10 overs unscathed though.
FFS Fulton, don't you ever learn you dope !
Haha I'm listening to the radio too and was also wondering if Fulton was actually playing well. Zinzan and others have now disavowed me of that notion.I seriously don't know what they're watching then. Between the odd half-decent shot, Fulton has looked utterly awful this morning. Keeps playing at deliveries 3 feet wide of off-stump when it's crucial these two see off the new ball. Is lucky to still be there imo.
Ind33d. I'm still not entirely convinced by Wagner & I think he's had more than his fair share of luck this series. However you're right that people conveniently ignore the fact that Bracewell has been a liability with the ball in the last 12 months.Wtf, why wasn't the seamer with most wickets this series dropped for the recently injured goon whose last 8 tests has yielded 16 wickets at 48.87? Outrageous!
I like this guy.Wtf, why wasn't the seamer with most wickets this series dropped for the recently injured goon whose last 8 tests has yielded 16 wickets at 48.87? Outrageous!
Huzzah!Got through Jimmeh's first spell untarnished. Bonus territory!
Yup, fine point. Fulton really is the "Anti-Guppy"Still, seems to be excelling in the art of looking awful but staying in and still hitting bad balls for four. Like a reverse-Guptill.
Mostly true, though he also arguably slightly outbowled Boult to be our best bowler in South Africa, and was definitely better than Wagner.Ind33d. I'm still not entirely convinced by Wagner & I think he's had more than his fair share of luck this series. However you're right that people conveniently ignore the fact that Bracewell has been a liability with the ball in the last 12 months.