New Zealand in England

[King Pietersen]

He almost took the game away from England, i've watched the entirity of his innings, and as opposed to Ross Taylor's innings, which was a shambolic slog-fest, this was a marvelous example of attacking batting. He got himself in and then just settled into his stroke play, he was lucky on occassion, but a marvelous innings from McCullum, what a player.

Nice performance from Jimmy Anderson today, he look threatening, swung the ball, took top order wickets, and could have had 3 in the first few overs if he hadn't had marginally over-stepped the line. Him and Broad have been awesome today.

 

[Vcassano]

He didn't 'deserve' a hundred. He was lucky to get to 96 as it is.

 

[Will_NA]

Well, as I said, I've only just come back from Sixth Form.

 

[zub2005]

mccullum played very well, but for england that wicket came at a crucial time

 

[Animator!]

McCullum played how he always does, but he got a ridiculous amount of luck, but that came from backing himself.

Ross Taylor, have no idea what the lad was playing at. Truely ridiculous.

 

[zub2005]

if taylor had gone on to make a big knock the way he was playing then people would say what a counter attack.

 

[Animator!]

Yes, but he didn't. He gave it away totally. The shot he played to get out was appaulling.

 

[zub2005]

i know what you are saying but if it worked, people would say what a great knock.

 

[wolf]

The New Zealand top order is useless. McCullum, Oram and Vettori are their best batters and they are not even specialists. There is only going to be one winner in this series.

 

[m_vaughan]

It was great to watch Anderson bowl the way he did today. Good movement, and could have got a few wickets more himself to be honest. Think the home side have the edge, but I would like to see how England bat tomorrow.

 

[MUFC1987]

McCullum needs to realise that he's not in a good enough team to just have a slog when he comes in to bat. He seemingly wants to be Adam Gilchrist, yet Gilchrist wouldn't have been able to play that way were it not for the likes of Ponting, Langer, and the Waugh's etc above him.

Regarding Anderson, I don't think there is any doubt that he's going to do well when conditions suit, the true test of him will come when the conditions get better for batting.

 

[Sureshot]

My thoughts on the day

Shameless plug!

Interesting days cricket, can't think of anything to add that I haven't said in the above link.

 

[irottev]

He didn't 'deserve' a hundred. He was lucky to get to 96 as it is.

Thats his second time in the 90's out at Lords I believe. 96 and now 97. Bad luck. Not the best shot, bowled ff his pads, really gutting.. The knock didn't start pretty, but in the context it would have been well deserved. He had to battle through hard conditions and though he got away with playing some balls in the air early, he played well all the same.

McCullum needs to realise that he's not in a good enough team to just have a slog when he comes in to bat. He seemingly wants to be Adam Gilchrist, yet Gilchrist wouldn't have been able to play that way were it not for the likes of Ponting, Langer, and the Waugh's etc above him.

It's the way he plays. I don't think he is trying to be Gilly, he's trying to be McCullum. They're actually very different players. He's an aggressive player, he'll always play his shots. It's natural to him.

Anyway, I think New Zealand actually owned the day ever so slightly thanks to McCullum. Had he been 100* at stumps or sure we would have. 6 wickets down at the end of 2 sessions after being put in isn't bad and 200 runs is good scoring rate. Oram and Vettori are our two best test batsmen so hopefully these guys can pile on another hundred or so. That would be ideal. Top 4 failing is nothing new, i'm used to it. We're just going to have to wait now.

 

[angryangy]

He didn't 'deserve' a hundred. He was lucky to get to 96 as it is.

Fortune favours the brave.

 

[Greenidge]

McCullum needs to realise that he's not in a good enough team to just have a slog when he comes in to bat. He seemingly wants to be Adam Gilchrist, yet Gilchrist wouldn't have been able to play that way were it not for the likes of Ponting, Langer, and the Waugh's etc above him.

Regarding Anderson, I don't think there is any doubt that he's going to do well when conditions suit, the true test of him will come when the conditions get better for batting.

Couldn't disagree more. McCullum has to play his natural game. He is an agressive player and it's his natural instinct to attack. It won't work for him or the team if he tries temper that too much. He looks to change the momentum of a game by taking the game to the bowlers and putting pressure on them.

He does look to do what Gilchrist has done for Australia, but often he has to do it to turn a game around rather than build on what his top order has done. No disrespect to Gilchrist (he's been an awesome player and has revolutionised the keeper/batsman role), but McCullum has a far more difficult task because he doesn't have the batsmen around him. He also has to play most of his cricket in New Zealand on our bowler friendly wickets rather than the fast wickets in Aus.