**Official** New Zealand in England

[Richard]

Outswing from Broad. That's very interesting, and very encouraging from his POV.

First time I've ever seen him get the ball to swing away from the right-hander.

 

[Bahnz]

That really was an astonishingly stupid innings from Taylor. An innings that made McCullum's usual excesses look like a Boycott masterclass. Perhaps he should just be banned from 20/20 from now on.

EDIT: As I say that, McCullum batting quite sensibly so far. Long may it continue.

 

[Richard]

If Taylor's been playing like that in the tour-games, I guess that explains why he got so few.

 

[andruid]

Anderson matching Broad for pace.

 

[pasag]

What's the pitch like?

 

[Goughy]

So Im sat in the office on the other side of the Continent.

I cant wait to get home and watch, but what are the conditions exactly like. Overly green? quick? slow? overcast? Clear? etc

 

[Goughy]

Anderson matching Broad for pace.

He should do as he is usually quicker

 

[Scaly piscine]

England gone with their usual 3 and a half bowling attack then. So great having Panesar instead of someone like Hoggard eh. Hopefully Colly has a good day with the ball.

 

[Steulen]

So Im sat in the office on the other side of the Continent.

I cant wait to get home and watch, but what are the conditions exactly like. Overly green? quick? slow? overcast? Clear? etc

Very overcast, slightly green pitch and there's of course the ever-present Lord's slope to take into account. The outfield is slow, and a few crisp strikes along the ground have not made it further than a 2 or 3.

The Sky commentators were just now mentioning that the conditions must be near-perfect for swing bowling if Stuart Broad (not a swing bowler, normally) is getting considerable outswing.

 

[Steulen]

Interesting move, Collingwood replacing Sidebottom after just one over.

 

[Goughy]

Very overcast, slightly green pitch and there's of course the ever-present Lord's slope to take into account. The outfield is slow, and a few crisp strikes along the ground have not made it further than a 2 or 3.

The Sky commentators were just now mentioning that the conditions must be near-perfect for swing bowling if Stuart Broad (not a swing bowler, normally) is getting considerable outswing.

Madness then that Hoggard isnt there.

 

[wpdavid]

Can't help thinking a good attack would have had NZ 5 down in these conditions. Obv Marshall should have gone anyway, but even so we haven't done quite as much as we should imo. And I think our batting will struggle hugely. If NZ can muster 200, they may well be in a decent position.

 

[Steulen]

Madness then that Hoggard isnt there.

Funnily enough Anderson has been the pick of the bowlers so far.

 

[Goughy]

Funnily enough Anderson has been the pick of the bowlers so far.

Given the conditions Id have had him over Broad. This English attack upsets me so much, there isnt 1 bowler I personally rate highly

 

[Steulen]

Given the conditions Id have had him over Broad. This English attack upsets me so much, there isnt 1 bowler I personally rate highly

I do rate Sidebottom, but he's been relatively poor so far.

 

[wpdavid]

For once, I'd have to agree with Scaly that Panesar shouldn't be playing ahead of Hoggard in this game. If the quicks do their jobs, Panesar should barely get a bowl in these conditions.

 

[Steulen]

For once, I'd have to agree with Scaly that Panesar shouldn't be playing ahead of Hoggard in this game. If the quicks do their jobs, Panesar should barely get a bowl in these conditions.

Disagree. Having these conditions and a continuous swing attack is Plan A, but this is a Test match and you need to have a Plan B.

 

[Scaly piscine]

For once, I'd have to agree with Scaly that Panesar shouldn't be playing ahead of Hoggard in this game. If the quicks do their jobs, Panesar should barely get a bowl in these conditions.

It's not just the conditions, look at England's seamers. It's not like they've got 3 experiences greats. They've got 1 who's as erratic as hell (Anderson), Broad who's also erratic, very young and doesn't have much experience and then Sidebottom who's a bit more reliable who ironically is the one bowling some rubbish. So you've got 1 good old county pro type seamer and 2 a bit on and off and a part-timer - it's not enough.

England can't afford to accommodate a nothing bowler like Panesar who's only effective occasionally.

 

[Goughy]

Disagree. Having these conditions and a continuous swing attack is Plan A, but this is a Test match and you need to have a Plan B.

Nah, there is never a need for a Plan B which entails bowling the guy less likely to get wickets.

In these condition (as described to me) it should be a diet of seam as only having 3 seamers means Plan A can never be properly put into action.

 

[Steulen]

It's not just the conditions, look at England's seamers. It's not like they've got 3 experiences greats. They've got 1 who's as erratic as hell (Anderson), Broad who's also erratic, very young and doesn't have much experience and then Sidebottom who's a bit more reliable who ironically is the one bowling some rubbish. So you've got 1 good old county pro type seamer and 2 a bit on and off and a part-timer - it's not enough.

England can't afford to accommodate a nothing bowler like Panesar who's only effective occasionally.

But in these conditions, if 3 (and a bit) pace bowlers can't do it, would a 4th have made the difference?