*Official** New Zealand in England

[Loony BoB]

I lost my anger about that when I realised just about every fringe NZ player is in the UK anyway. The perils of being the second or third-favourite sport in a country of only 4 million people is probably more accurate. (if it weren't for Canterbury's dry summer climate, we'd be lucky to have the cricket depth of Wales!)

Esimated populations...

India: 1,088,056,200 (2004)
Pakistan: 140,000,000 (2004)
Bangladesh: 131,269,860 (2001)
England and Wales: 52,041,916 (2004)
South Africa: 42,768,678 (2003)
West Indies: 33,640,000 (1990 is the best I could find for the Windies in general)
Kenya: 33,520,700 (2004)
Australia: 20,101,810 (2004)
Zimbabwe: 12,500,000 (2003)
Scotland: 5,062,011 (and falling!) (2001)
New Zealand: 4,058,151 (2004)
Ireland: 3,621,035 (1996)

I'd say NZ is on par with Ireland, population wise. We don't do too badly in the sporting world, all things considered.

 

[luckyeddie]

For what it's worth, here's the day 1 report

 

[Oli Norwell]

I always said he should be in the team

He's a bit old though? I was slightly surprised one of the younger fringe players wasn't given a chance.

 

[luckyeddie]

Esimated populations...
I'd say NZ is on par with Ireland, population wise. We don't do too badly in the sporting world, all things considered.

Yes, but if it went on the number of sheep, New Zealand would lead the world, followed by Wales and the Falklands.

"Now there's an idea" says Malcolm Speed

 

[Rich2001]

He's a bit old though? I was slightly surprised one of the younger fringe players wasn't given a chance.

Now where have I heard that before Marc - Is that you in there

 

[marc71178]

And Iam not sure but isn't the rule he must be back by the end of day 1 for that to count?

Not sure, but if he'd been released overnight he could've driven down and been there while Kent were still piling on the runs...

 

[marc71178]

He's a bit old though? I was slightly surprised one of the younger fringe players wasn't given a chance.

But who is there?

I can't see one I'd want to send up there at the moment (although Ian Bell's bowlings improved... )

 

[Rich2001]

But who is there?

I can't see one I'd want to send up there at the moment (although Ian Bell's bowlings improved... )

Yes well if that's the case I better run off to TW and tell Key to start doing a bit of bowling as well - We have just enough runs for him to play with (I would think)

 

[Neil Pickup]

Well, that was fun (!)

First thoughts were, "why isn't the damn ball swinging". As usual, we were loose and bowled too straight too often first up and Papps is fairly useful behind square on the leg side. Bringing on Freddy for two overs to wait for the swing to develop was an excellent move.

As for Papps - um. I don't recall seeing a worse specialist batsman playing Test cricket. His foot movement is indecisive at best, and when they do move, he takes an almighty step across which isn't great for the stability of the head. Add to that a tendency to play, with hard hands, away from the body, and it's amazing that he's still at the crease. The only thing that's been worse than Papps' batting has been the English slip catching. Dear, oh dear, Thorpey..

 

[twctopcat]

Just what i thought with regards to Papps as well.I was ****ed off when thorpe dropped him don't get me wrong but nowhere near as if it would have been Richardson/Fleming/Astle etc in the same situation. He seems a bit of a "hit anything" person. Hope my words don't come back to haunt me tomorrow .

 

[Craig]

Although it's actually a weaker attack as Oram can't bowl in the match!

The perils of a 14 man squad with injury doubts included in the 14!

Which I don't see the point because if he injuries it, he can not have a runner.

 

[tooextracool]

Just what i thought with regards to Papps as well.I was ****ed off when thorpe dropped him don't get me wrong but nowhere near as if it would have been Richardson/Fleming/Astle etc in the same situation. He seems a bit of a "hit anything" person. Hope my words don't come back to haunt me tomorrow .

you were saying?

 

[tooextracool]

is anybody else watching the henman vs coria match instead?

 

[Loony BoB]

And that's 86 and out for Papps - exactly doubling the amount of runs he's scored in test cricket. Not a bad knock (at least from an NZ'er reading the cricinfo commentary perspective). Bring on the next batsman, and make sure he doesn't get out as fast as the middle order of test #1! Oh, and a century for Fleming, please.

 

[tooextracool]

seriously though what is it with england and headingly?over the past 4 years they have saved their worst bowling performances for this ground. granted that the pitch hasnt done anywhere near as much as it did last year but there was a little bit in there for the bowlers. hoggard has been abysmal to say the least and quite frankly i do hope that he misses the rest of the series,saggers just hasnt looked effective whatsoever,harmison hasnt pitched a single ball up in the match and has continued to be "caddick-like" while flintoff too has been a little too short. that said fleming has played very well indeed while papps....well he hasnt really looked the part but hes been effective, definetly stressing my point about having a couple of genuine openers in the side

 

[Loony BoB]

Has Vaughan or Giles been able to get the ball to turn much?

 

[twctopcat]

is anybody else watching the henman vs coria match instead?

Yes siree, don't want to tempt fate but henman is looking pretty impressive (touch wood).

 

[twctopcat]

you were saying?

That ends all my prediction's regarding english cricket, for ever.

 

[tooextracool]

Yes siree, don't want to tempt fate but henman is looking pretty impressive (touch wood).

dont you go on making more predictions now.....

EDIT: oh look you jinxed another englishman

 

[Loony BoB]

twc obviously was just thinking that Fleming was doing well, too. Bugger! Another out in the 90's... Sigh. Oh well, let's see if Styris can finally break his bad run... fingers crossed.