**Official** New Zealand in England

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Does Vaughan have the genitals to go for a sporting declaration to get NZ in before stumps or will we make sure we only need to bat once?

I hear Don Topley's at the ground to try and prevent an 'exchange' of Leather Jackets.

 

[Richard]

Hmm, interesting there. Another good decision from the Taufeller. No inside-edge.

 

[Burgey]

They'll be aiming outside Strauss' off. Has always been the best way to get him, bowling full and wide. Full credit to him, he's removed that weakness from his game completely so far this innings.

If he can play like this for more than a few innings, he should be right back to being a decent Test opener.

And that's the first century opening stand between these two. A day I honestly never thought would come until very, very recently. Strange little coincidence that it comes in the first innings they bat together after it's finally confirmed that Trescothick will never open in a Test again.

Problem though, is there's "outside off stump", then there's "3 feet outside off stump with no movement and going so wide with the angle that you couldn't reach it with a vaulting pole".

Sorry, it just looks completely innocuous to me.

 

[Richard]

Not much sense of urgency from the cack-handed opening duo. Think we're on the verge of the fourth maiden on the bounce.

EDIT: Commentator's curse. England take a single. Woo-hoo.

What's more, they take 11 off the next 6 balls with 2 pull-strokes to the boundary.

 

[Nate]

Get Southee on imo.

 

[Richard]

Problem though, is there's "outside off stump", then there's "3 feet outside off stump with no movement and going so wide with the angle that you couldn't reach it with a vaulting pole".

Sorry, it just looks completely innocuous to me.

Strauss has made a living of getting out to deliveries like that for 28 months. Fortunately, it looks like he might now have cured that. Well, no, he has. The question is, can he keep it up beyond this innings. Now closing-in on a half-century.

 

[Nate]

Martinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Awesome take from McCullum.

 

[Richard]

Cook is gooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeee. Extremely good ball from Martin.

Vaughan has to get a few here, really, really important for him to reassert himself at three. Couldn't have a better platform.

 

[Burgey]

Cook caught in slips - never thought I'd see that....

TBF a good rock - squared him up beautifully.

 

[Richard]

Nice catch from McCullum too actually, looked routine on the first look.

 

[_Ed_]

Great stuff.

Only took 2 days to get that first wicket. Hope the next one comes a bit sooner.

 

[Richard]

You a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles fan dear namesake?

Vaughan off-the-mark, good.

 

[Nate]

Vaughan to get out for not many. And I'll be happy.

 

[Richard]

Wants Vaughan to get dropped before 2009 for my money.

 

[Richard]

Martin causing quite some problems here. Nasty whack on the shin for Marshall.

Even causing problems for McCullum.

 

[Richard]

Oram on.

 

[Perm]

Saw some of the game last night/replay this afternoon, Strauss looked in control. Loved watching it, playing the ball late and under his eyes. Good to see.

 

[Richard]

And that's the half-century for him.

Normally something that takes 151 balls would be very scratchy, but he's barely played a false stroke.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Brings up his 50 now. Off 151 balls; a proper opener's knock. Good to see him coming back into form, comes across as one of nature's good guys.

 

[Perm]

50 up for Strauss, really good knock. Determination and patience.