*Official** New Zealand in England

[luckyeddie]

"A wild swipe by Styris did everything except make contact with the ball before it thudded into the gauntlets of Simon Jones"

He's learned a new skill! Geraint surely...

Thanks, Liam.

If that's the only gaffe in a 2500 word report I'll be more than happy.

 

[Langeveldt]

That's a 500 wicket if ever I saw one.

Wasn't the Trent Bridge wicket an absolute minefield last year when the Boks played??? Change of groundsman??

 

[luckyeddie]

Wasn't the Trent Bridge wicket an absolute minefield last year when the Boks played??? Change of groundsman??

The wicket was slow and low for 3 days last year, then completely fell apart, if I'm thinking of the same game.

Both sides had little difficulty in making decent totals in the first innings, then everyone went belly-up as James Kirtley took a sixfer on debut.

yup

 

[badgerhair]

Wasn't the Trent Bridge wicket an absolute minefield last year when the Boks played??? Change of groundsman??

The same groundsman did a lot of work on the pitch over the winter.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Langeveldt]

Ah okay.. Glad to see its improved. the stadium itself is the best by a stretch in the UK IMO...

 

[marc71178]

winning roll ?

Yes, 5 wins in the last 6 games isn't to be sniffed at.

The Aussies had some easy games in their world record streak, but did that cheapen the achievment?

Winning is a habit, and a very good one at that, for you to suggest that if NZ play to their potential they will win is a statement that completely ignores the opposition.

 

[marc71178]

well saggers has been selected ahead of anderson for the 3rd test....i dont understand what the selectors see in saggers who is really another conditions affected bowler, at 32 he doesnt have much of a future anyways. anderson might not be any better but hes younger and has more of a future in the english side.

Could be because Anderson isn't fully fit and the series has been won so no point in risking him?

 

[marc71178]

Saying that, there could easily have been wickets falling at almost any time up until half an hour before lunch.

I think I can guess that Giles started bowling about 12.01?

 

[marc71178]

The wicket was slow and low for 3 days last year, then completely fell apart, if I'm thinking of the same game.

Yes, and then Smith complained that it was the worst wicket he'd ever seen...

 

[luckyeddie]

I think I can guess that Giles started bowling about 12.01?

Should have used the 'H' word. He really roughed the batsmen up today.

Where's Clive Dunn saying "They don't like it up 'em" when you need him?

Giles did a good job, actually. Quietly gave Harmison a break without waking the other bowlers up.

 

[luckyeddie]

Yes, and then Smith complained that it was the worst wicket he'd ever seen...

He would - we won.

 

[_Ed_]

I think Franklin is the key player for NZ's chances, he provides variety, the ball will be coming at a different angle because he's a left armer, and if he manages to get some swing he could cause some problems for the England batsmen.

Would be nice to see him cement his place this time, it was a shame when he disappeared into oblivion (also known as Wellington ) after the VB series 2002.

 

[anzac]

the NZL top order has performed reasonably well in this series - yes they have lost early wickets but the top 3 have managed to post a platform on most occaisions..............

yet again however the middle order trend of losing quick wickets has continued and must be a concern.............

Astle has looked out of sorts since Lords (injury?)

Macca continues his run of poor form - since BAN in NZL in 2001 he has played something like 27 innings for 4x50s & 1x100, with 2x50s & the ton coming in IND. Against ENG in NZL in 2002 he only posted 1x50 but also posted 3x40 scores, then 8 innings sub 20 b4 IND, and now1x50 in his last 9 innings.........with 3x0 in a row.............

Similarly Fleming will be relieved to have scored only his 4th plus 40 score in his last 20 innings.........

By contrast Styris has only played 27 innings & has posted 6x50s & 3x100s since his debut in WIN........

 

[anzac]

I think Franklin is the key player for NZ's chances, he provides variety, the ball will be coming at a different angle because he's a left armer, and if he manages to get some swing he could cause some problems for the England batsmen.

Would be nice to see him cement his place this time, it was a shame when he disappeared into oblivion (also known as Wellington ) after the VB series 2002.

I've been saying for a while that the NZL attack lacks variety - either in pace or line of attack..........

while I agree that he will be a key I don't want him to be seen as the 'saviour'........as it's unfair to expect so much from a player who is essentially a 4th pick 'specialist' seamer (not including the allrounders).......

 

[anzac]

based upon the series to date I agree that NZL will need to post 500+ to give their bowling any chance on this wicket, let alone the fact that they are so out of form...........

and that's b4 we even consider the ENG team................

 

[anzac]

I know it's very early for this but I'd hope to see more than 14 in the squad to go to BAN & a few more options re batting & bowling..............and NO injured / out of form players taken!!!!!!!

 

[Kent]

Macca continues his run of poor form - since BAN in NZL in 2001 he has played something like 27 innings for 4x50s & 1x100, with 2x50s & the ton coming in IND. Against ENG in NZL in 2002 he only posted 1x50 but also posted 3x40 scores, then 8 innings sub 20 b4 IND, and now1x50 in his last 9 innings.........with 3x0 in a row.

McMillan's career is facing the biggest threat it ever has in my opinion. Hearing Fleming speak in the last few days he's been the lowest I've ever heard him, and I'm getting the strong impression that heads will roll because of this series. I know Fleming took the WC failure pretty deeply, and this might've been the last straw.

Fleming's always said he wants to usher in the new faces of the NZ game before he departs the scene himself (probably a result of how he felt exposed by the quickfire retirements of Crowe, Wright, Jones, etc.), and I get the feeling McMillan is running out of time before steps are taken in this direction.

Here is NZ's top 12 specialist batting assets IMO. I don't think many would argue that McMillan is now #6 and sliding...

1. Fleming
2. Richardson
3. Astle
4. Styris
5. Papps

6. McMillan
7. Sinclair
8. Marshall
9. Fulton
10. Taylor
11. How
12. Vincent

 

[Isolator]

Marshall's no.5, in my opinion. I would dearly love to see Vincent again... he has enormous potential.

 

[Arjun]

I know it's very early for this but I'd hope to see more than 14 in the squad to go to BAN & a few more options re batting & bowling..............and NO injured / out of form players taken!!!!!!!

Always a good chance for injured/out of form players to return to form, isn't it?

 

[meatspx]

McMillan's career is facing the biggest threat it ever has in my opinion. Hearing Fleming speak in the last few days he's been the lowest I've ever heard him, and I'm getting the strong impression that heads will roll because of this series. I know Fleming took the WC failure pretty deeply, and this might've been the last straw.

Fleming's always said he wants to usher in the new faces of the NZ game before he departs the scene himself (probably a result of how he felt exposed by the quickfire retirements of Crowe, Wright, Jones, etc.), and I get the feeling McMillan is running out of time before steps are taken in this direction.

Here is NZ's top 12 specialist batting assets IMO. I don't think many would argue that McMillan is now #6 and sliding...

Agreed. McMillan is the constant underachiever and inconsistent scorer in the current team who demands inclusion in the test side. The selectors finally came to their senses and have dropped him for ODI series in the past (he has an average of about 27) - it's time for a new face in the test side. I would venture to say that he shouldn't even be in the ODI squad, give a youngster an opportunity (Marshall's bro, Fulton, Taylor).

Vettori needs to go to. He may have improved slightly in the current series - but he isn't taking wickets, time for Bruce Martin to be given an opportunity. If the selectors had the b*lls they would have dropped him for the Pakistani & South African home series and given him time to slog it out in domestic cricket. He's still young, 1-2 years out of the team will probably do him good (no need to continue to bowl and see your average rise to embarrassing heights).

McMillan & Vettori need to go - wasted spaces, havent been performing for a long time. Tuffey should be given another opportunity (if he is 100%).

Who to replace McMillan & Cairns? Personally I would replace them with 2 batsmen - but with the current form of the NZ attack 1 batsman & 1 bowler who can handle a bat will do.

Batsman: Sinclair (give him another go) or Marshall (good punt, can play on the bouncier and faster tracks).

Bowler: Need a 4th seamer to take over Cairn's role. Franklin is the only name that comes to mind, possibly Adams.