England v New Zealand (1st test) Lords

[Bordeauxclaret]

First Test innings for Bracey so a long way to go but there is a massive difference to County Cricket and Test Match Cricket and we will have to see if Bracey is good enough to bat at No 3 as he says he is aiming for
Clearly missing Stokes, Buttler,Malan Bairstowe and dare I say Jason Roy !!

Roy

[tiger76]

England's typical collapse has duly occurred,232-9 the one notable expectation is Rory Burns who's just completed his 3rd test hundred, heaven knows where England would have been without his innings, and Robinson scored a good 42 on debut, but as for the rest the less said the better I'm afraid.

5 wickets for Southee to boost New Zealand's hopes of pushing for an unlikely victory on day 5.

[tiger76]

England 275 all out at tea, so NZ lead by 103, but that crucial last wicket stand between Burns and Jimmy worth 52, could be more than useful to England's chances of saving this game.

However whether England ultimately draw this game or not serious questions will quite rightly be asked about the middle order collapse, and none of Bracey or Lawrence have done their cause any good with that dire capitulation.

Funny match 2 openers have batted through almost both completed innings, and scored heavily, yet nobody else bar Nicholls has passed 50.

Southee outstanding for the Black Caps, 6-43 he finished with.

[tiger76]

More wickets for Robinson in the 2nd innings, he's giving the England manager a big problem by playing this well, cos really how can he be left out of the next game, however equally the England hierarchy probably know that they'll also need to send a message regarding his historic Tweets which have come to light over the past few days, Hmm! it's certainly a poser for them and of course Joe Root.

New Zealand aren't really going anywhere in this 2nd innings, only a lead of 164 and unless something spectacular happens tomorrow morning I can't see how they can give themselves enough time to bowl England out for a 2nd time, mind you if England bat as poorly 2nd dig who knows.

[Spijed]

More wickets for Robinson in the 2nd innings, he's giving the England manager a big problem by playing this well, cos really how can he be left out of the next game, however equally the England hierarchy probably know that they'll also need to send a message regarding his historic Tweets which have come to light over the past few days, Hmm! it's certainly a poser for them and of course Joe Root.

New Zealand aren't really going anywhere in this 2nd innings, only a lead of 164 and unless something spectacular happens tomorrow morning I can't see how they can give themselves enough time to bowl England out for a 2nd time, mind you if England bat as poorly 2nd dig who knows.

On the flip side, if England could knock off the remaining wickets, leaving a target of say 250 then that's possible as well.

[Foulthrow]

More wickets for Robinson in the 2nd innings, he's giving the England manager a big problem by playing this well

... the England manager? Does he play right back as well?

[tiger76]

On the flip side, if England could knock off the remaining wickets, leaving a target of say 250 then that's possible as well.

I admire your optimism Spijed, but that's a long shot, and even 250 wouldn't be an easy chase on this wicket against an attack of this quality, take Rory Burns fabulous knock out of the equation and England would have been struggling to reach 150, and also don't forget this is an incredibly inexperienced batting line-up lacking in confidence. in hindsight it was certainly more to England's benefit that the rain came yesterday, otherwise it would have been an even more daunting task facing them.

Over rates have been pathetic yet again today, and it's time the authorities took serious steps to clamp down on this, because clearly the current measures aren't strong enough to deter the fielding side from employing team wasting tactics when it suits them, and this applies to both teams in this match.

An extra half hour added on to the day's play, and they still couldn't manage 90 overs, let alone the 98 which were supposed to be bowled,

[tiger76]

... the England manager? Does he play right back as well?

What would you call Chris Silverwood then, he picks the team, and no doubt has a large say in any tactics England are deploying, so in my book that classes him as a manager.

[BurnleyFC]

Watching the highlights. It’s a frightening batting line up.

There’s a few in that 11 who are nowhere near Test standard.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Watching the highlights. It’s a frightening batting line up.

There’s a few in that 11 who are nowhere near Test standard.

Indeed. Crawley is truly useless and somehow scored one huge score which will no doubt see him selected for a couple more years. Lawrence doesn’t seem good either. I don’t understand why we play these players who average 30 even on county championship and don’t give players who average 45+ for their counties a chance.

[Local cricketer]

First Test innings for Bracey so a long way to go but there is a massive difference to County Cricket and Test Match Cricket and we will have to see if Bracey is good enough to bat at No 3 as he says he is aiming for
Clearly missing Stokes, Buttler,Malan Bairstowe and dare I say Jason Roy !!

Dave has been on the holy wine again! Roy!!! Next he will be suggesting Matt Lowton bats 7

[MACCA]

Sibley = dogger

You just get the feeling No3 is coming in without us reaching double figure most of the time.

Yes this dismissal was a touch unfortunate, but he doesnt fill me with any confidence.
Gone are the days where we see our openers get us off to a lyer and take a lot of pressure off the rest which in this case is an inexperienced bunch.

[tiger76]

Sibley = dogger

You just get the feeling No3 is coming in without us reaching double figure most of the time.

Yes this dismissal was a touch unfortunate, but he doesnt fill me with any confidence.
Gone are the days where we see our openers get us off to a lyer and take a lot of pressure off the rest which in this case is an inexperienced bunch.

It's a tricky one with Sibley, yes he's hopelessly out of nick, but if England do decide to drop him there's not any obvious replacements to fill the opening berth that I can see, and Sibley has shown on several important occasions that he can graft an innings out, however I do agree it's a problem having Burns/Sibley opening together as they are both very similar in style and scoring rate, now that's fine if wickets don't fall early, but that's rarely been the case for this England team in recent times.

Ben Stokes is a huge absence though, and any side in world cricket would miss someone of that calibre, but he's one of many who England are deprived of for the time being so we'll just have to make the best of it I'm afraid.

[Quickenthetempo]

A few wickets and runs have moved the game on, that could mean England are batting for a result.

NZ lead by 240.

[tiger76]

Plenty happening this morning runs & wickets, and Jimmy could have added to his impressive test haul if England had reviewed that Taylor nick.

137-5 NZ lead of 236, now how many will they be content with?

And 7 wickets in the match for Ollie Robinson, as debuts go it's been a good one, and he also chipped in with the bat. And a couple of catches for Bracey this morning as well, so at least he'll finally feel he's contributing to the England cause.

Why is Joe Root bowling this smacks of David Gower in 1989 all over again, and we know how that ended.

[tiger76]

169-6 at lunch, and perhaps surprisingly NZ are still batting, lead is 272 now, so surely they'll declare soon won't they.

Shows what I know Root picks up a wicket, but he's also chucked a few pies down which NZ have gratefully accepted.

This match should end in a draw, particular with the showers floating around the London area, but with this fragile England batting line-up you can never be totally confident.

[Milltown1882]

If any team can collapse and lose from here it’s England. 75 overs in the day so at this rate that’s about 55.

[Milltown1882]

If any team can collapse and lose from here it’s England. 75 overs in the day so at this rate that’s about 55.

[tiger76]

NZ declare leaving England 273 to win off 75 overs. Not an impossible chase by any means if a couple of guys get themselves in.

Either a very brave call by Williamson or a very rash call.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

I just can't see England pulling off a win in this game, particularly after the batting display in the first innings.
NZ could quite possibly force a win if they get a couple of early wickets and Siblye is giving them every chance!
A draw it is then!

[tiger76]

A steady if slow start by England, and yes it doesn't appear there's much appetite to chase this total, and with the rain forecast by about 5PM onwards this is heading towards a tame draw unless something dramatic happens between now and tea,

[Clarets4me]

35/0 off 17.4 ..... Jesus !
Anyone else rather see them give it a go ?

[tiger76]

35/0 off 17.4 ..... Jesus !
Anyone else rather see them give it a go ?

I don't approve but this just sums up the mindset in the England ranks right now, now if Bairstow, Buttler & Stokes were all playing it might well be a different story, however it's probable if that trio were all playing NZ wouldn't have made such a bold declaration.

[TheFamilyCat]

I don't approve but this just sums up the mindset in the England ranks right now, now if Bairstow, Buttler & Stokes were all playing it might well be a different story, however it's probable if that trio were all playing NZ wouldn't have made such a bold declaration.

If Bairstow was playing they'd have declared earlier.

[CleggHall]

Crawley is not a Test batsman.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Crawley is not a Test batsman.

Can't argue against that statement because he has had two very poor dismissals in this match.

[Milltown1882]

Crawley is not a Test batsman.

Him and Sibley are so out of form. I miss the old top 3!

[ClaretTony]

Crawley is not a Test batsman.

He’s not on his own in that line up.

[Quickenthetempo]

We have a poor batting line up at this time. Even at full strength.

I'm not surprised we haven't give it a go.

[Milltown1882]

Surprised to make it to tea only 2 down. Sibley and Crawley are making Hameed’s return next week even more appealing.

[tiger76]

Surprised to make it to tea only 2 down. Sibley and Crawley are making Hameed’s return next week even more appealing.

Hameed must be knocking on the door now, of course should Sibley bat for another couple of hours and end up on 40 not out it'll be hard to justify dropping him, Crawley looked the real deal in his first few tests, so I'd be loathe to just discard him, but he's batted poorly in this match.

The worry is it's not just in the top order where the problems are, as apart from Pope you cant rely on any of the middle lower order chipping with many runs, so if Root doesn't go big, and he's not going to do that in every match, then England are often blown away for very few, they got away with it in the 1st innings here thanks to Burns scrapping a hard earned ton, but even when the established stars return to the fold I fear for this XI in the Ashes, the likes of Cummins & Starc will be relishing the prospect of bowling at this mob.

[tiger76]

England 67-2 after 40 (FORTY) overs, I'm all for batting sensibly but this is turgid. On the plus side I suppose the time out in the middle may help Sibley rediscover his touch again. Surely the skips will shake hands soon, this game is just meandering along now.

[Clarets4me]

England 67-2 after 40 (FORTY) overs, I'm all for batting sensibly but this is turgid. On the plus side I suppose the time out in the middle may help Sibley rediscover his touch again. Surely the skips will shake hands soon, this game is just meandering along now.

Botham and Flintoff were said to " empty the bars " when they batted .... this England side must be on a share of the takings !!

[CleggHall]

How to kill Test cricket, dreary beyond words, surely England could have given it a go and not shut up shop in the 1st over. Just the game to bring the crowds back!

[tiger76]

Hold your horses the hundred up for England, mind you it has taken nearly 50 overs.

[ClaretTony]

How to kill Test cricket, dreary beyond words, surely England could have given it a go and not shut up shop in the 1st over. Just the game to bring the crowds back!

Did you honestly think they would have considered giving it a go?

[Quickenthetempo]

It got that boring I turned over to put the football on.

What a choice of viewing.

[MACCA]

It got that boring I turned over to put the football on.

What a choice of viewing.

I must admit I've had an hours snooze, but surely it isnt that bad you've put the football on?

[Milltown1882]

50 up for the vicar. Well needed for him.

[Claretitus]

And boring Joe will trot out his usual verbal diarrhoea, about many positives to take out of this match....................................

[tiger76]

And boring Joe will trot out his usual verbal diarrhoea, about many positives to take out of this match....................................

Disappointing end to what could have been a cracking run chase, credit to Kane Williamson and NZ for trying to force a result out of a dead duck situation, but England were never remotely interested in pushing for the win, despite a pretty sporting declaration by the Kiwi skipper.

As for positives England do have plenty, runs for Burns, and in the 2nd innings Sibley, a terrific debut by Ollie Robinson, and Mark Wood looking back to his hostile best.

[Milltown1882]

Disappointing end to what could have been a cracking run chase, credit to Kane Williamson and NZ for trying to force a result out of a dead duck situation, but England were never remotely interested in pushing for the win, despite a pretty sporting declaration by the Kiwi skipper.

As for positives England do have plenty, runs for Burns, and in the 2nd innings Sibley, a terrific debut by Ollie Robinson, and Mark Wood looking back to his hostile best.

Shame Robinson will be ostracised next week to tick a box

[tiger76]

Shame Robinson will be ostracised next week to tick a box

Yes that's unfortunate, but the ECB are damned if they do and damned if they don't I'm afraid, and although these offences are historical I guess they have to be seen to take action, however this might be a catalyst for Robinson to show the powers that be and the general public what he can offer English cricket when he returns later in the summer, and there's no doubt he will make a return fairly soon, indeed I fully expect him to be part of the Ashes squad after that debut, he's precisely the kind of no nonsense character England will need down under to ruffle the Aussie feathers.