New Zealand v England 1st test

[Quickenthetempo]

England have bowled with plenty of bounce and movement but NZ have rode it out with a bit of luck.

37-0

[Dressinggown]

Good start for NZ.

85-0.

[Dressinggown]

Still something in it for the bowlers. Decent bounce and movement both in the air and off the pitch.

[Dressinggown]

Latham strangled down the leg side.

142-2.

[Dressinggown]

Hamilton looks a beautiful venue.

A trip to both New Zealand islands including a few England cricket matches thrown in would have to be near the top of my Bucket List.

[Dressinggown]

Carse gets a wicket on the verge of the interval.

Very close to a no ball.

[Dressinggown]

Repairs being carried out to the scoreboard which has gone tits up.

Last ball before tea hits Mitchell in the 'Box Area' and he staggers off clutching at his groin.

Might see a bit of spin

[Dressinggown]

England turn things around in the final session.

NZ 239-7.

Santner just taken a blow to the head from Stokes who is employing all manner of deliveries at the lower order.

No sign of any spin so far.

[footballdiedin92]

Nice catch from Brook
Here comes the sexy camel.

[Dressinggown]

NZ employing the 'Long Handle' to short stuff from Stokes until Henry is dismissed with a smart piece of catching from Brook on the boundary.

[footballdiedin92]

Southee's record for 6 hitting is staggering for a tail ender.

[IanMcL]

Last ball before tea hits Mitchell in the 'Box Area' and he staggers off clutching at his groin.

Might see a bit of spin

Are these two statements linked?

[Bordeauxclaret]

Nearly a hundred overs with no spinner.
England clearly treating this a training session for the pace bowlers.

[Dressinggown]

Interesting afternoon session with 2 down and still 300 runs behind.

I reckon that England have the quality to respond but another couple of wickets could turn the game in favour of the home side.

Bethell has had to deal with some short stuff in the last over.

[Dressinggown]

England will always be in the ascendancy if Root remains at the crease for a couple of sessions.

Bethell gone to a poor shot.

[Dressinggown]

Next in is Brook and gone first ball chopping one onto his stumps.

[Quickenthetempo]

77 for 4.

England struggling with some good bowling.

It's a little worrying how much Bethell has struggled with the bounce if he's in the plan for Australia. He got hit on the gloves several times before falling for the floated one up.
He will need to learn to leave/get out of the way quicker to be a success at this level.

Root is looking in fine fettle though.

[Dressinggown]

All going pear shaped. Root gone after almost being run out from the previous delivery.

Stokes needs to step up to the plate but who plays the anchor ? I don't think that Pope has the temperament to bat on the defence for a prolonged period.

Interesting stuff.

[RammyClaret61]

They’ve got 70 odd to many. We look like being a 100 plus short.

[Dressinggown]

Stokes is employing a mixed position to each delivery. Sometimes he will bat well in front of the crease to negate any swing or movement. Then he will take a conventional stance and will either walk down the wicket or take a step back to target the mid wicket area.

This post will obviously lead to a total England collapse in the very near future.

[Dressinggown]

Ship currently steadied. Looking a bit more positive.

[Dressinggown]

Pope goes to the spinner following a slow period of play where the only highlights were Stokes being hit in the knackers and then nailing a reverse sweep.

[Dressinggown]

A Captain's innings is required.

[Dressinggown]

That's out !

[Dressinggown]

Stokes is employing a mixed position to each delivery. Sometimes he will bat well in front of the crease to negate any swing or movement. Then he will take a conventional stance and will either walk down the wicket or take a step back to target the mid wicket area.

This post will obviously lead to a total England collapse in the very near future.

Mmm.

[Dressinggown]

I quite like Steve Harmison as a commentator. He seems to be a good prospect for a long term career within the sport.

Alternatively, David Gower is a complete arse.

[Dressinggown]

Latham goes chopping onto the stumps.

[RammyClaret61]

I quite like Steve Harmison as a commentator. He seems to be a good prospect for a long term career within the sport.

Listened to him on TalkSPORT for the first test. Thought he talked absolute garbage.

[Mondsley]

We were lucky enough to be in Christchurch and Wellington. It was brilliant. Beautiful country with the friendliest people. And the cricket wasnt too shabby. The decision not to go to Hamilton is looking a good one! It's easy being wise after the event, but our tactics at the start of Day 2 were baffling. 9 on the boundary to a number 8 batsman gave NZ the impetus and set the tone for a really disappointing day. The TV coverage is driving me mad. That Ladbrokes advert after every over. Why??

[Andreshotboots]

This performance has a definite, we've already won the series and we're going home for Christmas soon look about it..

[RammyClaret61]

Only another 639 required for victory. 2 wkts already gone. Crawley & Duckett, Stokes injured, probably won’t bat.

Could be a struggle!!

[jrgbfc]

Read somewhere today Crawley series average is 8. Don't see them dropping him but he could do with a good start to the summer with the Ashes on the horizon.

[Dressinggown]

Slow death or they might play some shots.

[Dressinggown]

That's going to be the end of any sort of reply.

[Dressinggown]

Pope wears one.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Big defeat there. 423 runs.

England managed to bat for a total of 83 overs across both innings.
Perhaps they did want to get home early.

[jrgbfc]

Don't think i'd be too impressed if i spent the money to go out there and support the team and they treat it like an end of season 2nd eleven game.