**Official** England in New Zealand

[Pratters]

Yeah, Mustard looking very good. As the Kiwis haven't lost any wickets, England can look at attacking here, as they have been looking at doing since the Oram over. So the McCullum catch miss is proving costly in more ways than one. Martin is looking pressured with the English attack too, as indicative by the two wides he has bowled in this over.

 

[Richard]

Mustard looking in fairly good nick here. Still gonna get out for under 35 tho.

Well, that's already that Greigied for certain. Mustard somehow now as of this post on 42*. Looking worryingly like getting something sizeable here, thus consigning England to wasting another 10 games or so in the World Cup build-up.

Bit of a ringer for a slimmer Anthony McGrath with his helmet on, or is it just me?

Well the fellow I saw at the gym earlier today looked even more like him, and his resemblence to McGrath is nothing compared to Wright's to Watson's.

Nonetheless, there's more likeness there than most.

 

[Pratters]

Martin choking here.

 

[Richard]

16 from the over. Abysmal bowling.

 

[Somerset]

Huge over, 16 off it - lucky it wasn't 20 with that last delivery.

O'Brien will most likely come on next over then, time for us New Zealanders to look away...

When was the last time England had an opening partnership this good?

 

[Richard]

When was the last time England had an opening partnership this good?

When was the last time two openers happened to manage to put-on a partnership this size you mean?

Not sure, seem to recall there being something of a small amount of size last summer but obviously this one is only on the board because of McCullum's ineptitude.

 

[Somerset]

When was the last time two openers happened to manage to put-on a partnership this size you mean?

Not sure, seem to recall there being something of a small amount of size last summer but obviously this one is only on the board because of McCullum's ineptitude.

True but you have to make your chances count. Shocking miss it was but then again, McCullum and Ryder both had chances dropped at Hamilton and they were considered legends for their stand.

 

[Jamee999]

Well, that's already that Greigied for certain. Mustard somehow now as of this post on 42*. Looking worryingly like getting something sizeable here, thus consigning England to wasting another 10 games or so in the World Cup build-up.

God forbid he may actually be a useful batsman

 

[Richard]

God forbid he may actually be a useful batsman

Yeah, next to no chance of that.

 

[Richard]

O'Brien will most likely come on next over then, time for us New Zealanders to look away...

Yep, here we go.

And the music reaches new heights as we have Hermes House Band immediately followed by Boston.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well, that's already that Greigied for certain. Mustard somehow now as of this post on 42*.

Was attempting the reverse-mockers and it seems to be working so far.

Your mate O'Brien bowling now, looks cut above Hitchcock but no movement for him so far.

 

[Somerset]

First over from O'Brien acceptable. Six from it.

England run rate up to six now, they will probably be disappointed if they don't make 300 from here.

 

[Richard]

Was attempting the reverse-mockers and it seems to be working so far.

Your mate O'Brien bowling now, looks cut above Hitchcock but no movement for him so far.

There's been precious little swing, it's been really odd, given how much of a freak ground this has been for swing down the years.

O'Brien's first over was better than pretty much anything Hitchcock managed - can surely only be downhill from here?

 

[Pup Clarke]

Not a bad first over from Mr O'Brien.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Gnarls Barkley.

 

[Somerset]

I wonder if Vettori will opt against taking the Power Play and bowl himself - something needs to change. I'd rather have take the restrictions with Bell and Cook at the crease, rather than Mustard.

 

[Jamee999]

Was just thinking that this might signal Vettori on.

 

[Somerset]

Gnarls Barkley.

Hahah...oh leave our ground DJs alone..

50 for Mustard, an excellent knock so far.

 

[Richard]

Gnarls Barkley.

So that's a half-century from Mustard. Guess it had to happen eventually.

 

[Richard]

Y'know, I wasn't sure that drop was going to prove that costly, but it looks like it might prove really so.

Wonder if England will manage to slog Vettori on these short square boundaries?