New Zealand tour of England - May/June 2015

[Thomas Saywell]

First test between England and New Zealand has been started and England has not desired start they have lost their 4 quick wickets. Is it going in favor of New Zealand or England will come back? Let's See.

 

[richowebbo]

there's a lot in this, but Root is batting so well at 5 I'm loathe to move him... but clearly this lineup is not right.[DOUBLEPOST=1432209203][/DOUBLEPOST]good gravy we've got away with one there!

I think Root has the ability to play anywhere and perform as well as he is now. I don't think Ballance should bat at 3, not with our openers!

Yeah that was a proper tight one!

 

[richowebbo]

It's mind boggling that Stokes was left out of the WC squad, isn't it? So much power.

 

[Deleted member 149013]

Well played Root and Stokes in getting us back in the game. Lyth feel bad for him but not that surprised at his score hopefully he can come back strong in the second innings. Cook playing at his best there and showing the newbee how it’s done. New Zealand what a team they have. It’s the thought of bowlers like Boult/Southee are more than capable now so 3 or 4 years time? Well the majority of the team have huge potential.

 

[PokerAce]

Just checked up on the score and Eng were 30/4 wow. Thats some hole they have dug themselves out of. Root unsurprisingly was a big part of the rebuilding. Stokes did well too.

Still at only 219/5, Eng have a long way to go still. A 100 run partnership between Butler and Root would do fine.

 

[IceAgeComing]

Good day of cricket IMO - lots of runs from some good batting; some good bowling and a comical England collapse; what more could you want?

 

[Markkkkk]

I feel that from an England Fan's perspective that these last 4 must have batted to well... Especially earlier on when the run rate was at 4.5 I was imagining Cook and Struass taking all the credit and trying to cerment their spots for years to come...

 

[PokerAce]

From 4 down for almost nothing to 354/7, England have done extremely well to come back into the match and arguably toe ahead. Kiwis will have to bat really well tomororw, but having said that, the pitch does seem a lot better for batting now, based on the evidence of the two post lunch sessions.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

First of all, big props to England for keeping all the outside rubbish aside and playing some good cricket.

I think, today England played a polarizing brand of cricket. It was almost like watching two separate games of cricket. One reminded me of the England of yesteryear. Weak, Insipid, Feeble, Defensive, Scared and borderline boring. The other, gave me a sneak peak of the future and the kind of talent that is just waiting to be unearthed and unleashed in a country with great cricketing history. The young lot of England showed and proved that they can play a fearless, entertaining and refreshing brand of cricket that not only puts bums on seats, but also helps you compete and to win games of cricket.

There's no doubting that having lost the toss, England will be the happier of the two dressing rooms. However, I'm not a result oriented person and I still feel that there are lots of pot holes that need mending. Every time I see Alastair Cook stride out for the toss, he breeds negativity. He's almost unbearable to be honest. I know the past certainly clouds my thinking, but I can't help but feel that he needs a reset button. The outside pressures are mutilating his batting and though he's a player of proven worth, he's never had an 'impact' game. I, for the life of me cannot understand why Moeen Ali is playing as a specialist spinner. If, he really is the best spinner in England, then there's a lot to be scared about. The selection baffles me and I can't help but feel that he's been picked because England were worried about getting skittled out for not much.

Gary Ballance is a mirror image of Alastair Cook and I'll be utterly shocked if he can get runs anywhere apart from England, that too against mediocre attacks like India. Again, he's a defensive, one dimensional player and I see very little scope for growth.

Get rid of Ballance, make Root the captain, put Bell at 3, Root at 4, Ali and Stokes at 5&6 with Buttler to follow. Play a specialist spinner and you have a good looking side with genuine options.

Lastly, I'm very pleased that England played the way they did. There's been a lot of doom and gloom, and the youngsters today showed that English cricket, if managed properly, is capable enough to compete and beat the best.

Give the youngsters the power and all this KP, Cook, Strauss bla bla bla will take a back seat!

 

[_Sam_]

Ballance has had the best start to a test career since Graeme Smith statistically and I really think he's someone we should keep persevering with overall as if he can solve a few issues he could become a solid player. It's hardly like we can drop him right now after the start he's had either. Suggestions on commentary today for Bell or Root at 3 so they don't have to be counterattacking but simply removing the pressure so one is not necessary were interesting. Not sure I'd want to adjust anything about Root right now given how he's going!

 

[richowebbo]

Anyone fancy calling today's play after yesterday?!

If Broad turns up with bat, we could add another 40-50 on our total.

Really looking forward to seeing how NZ bat, and England bowl.

 

[_Sam_]

If Broad turns up with bat

Don't be silly .

 

[richowebbo]

Don't be silly .

Yeah that was an ill advised post!

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Cook can drop a catch at slip at anytime. His balance and poise is just awful!

 

[cooks1st100]

Despite Broad predictably not lasting long with the bat, his pace seems to be back up and will be interesting to see if he maintains it. Wood up now, good pace from a short run-up.