***Official*** New Zealand in England series 2013

[Howe_zat]

This is almost gone for NZ now. Need to bowl England out for under 200 to have a chance.

That's silly. You're silly.

 

[BoyBrumby]

They've batted very well. Lets hope Trott can rediscover his ability to score big instead of looking good for 30 or so. And a debut test 100 for Root would be wonderful.

I do wonder whether we've made a rod for our backs by having Compton open in India against their rather moderate opening attack and on those slow pitches in NZ. It would have been difficult for him not to have done respectably in those circumstances but he isn't convincing at all.

Yeah, agree with this. Dogged, stoic and all that, but I'm not quite convinced he's of the requisite quality.

Root to open and Jos Buttler in at #6, please.

 

[Maximas]

yeah c'mon, NZ can chase 300 if their openers get their **** sorted, Bucko should try coming over the wicket to get a look into those footmarks.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

There's been a lot of hyperbole about Compton. I think he's going to end up as one of those average Test cricketers who's constantly going to attract bile for not being amazing.

Hard for me to get that worked up about him either way, really.

In the same way that Collingwood was always criticised. For me he has done enough so far to deserve a little slack. Don't forget this was a first home test for him too so would have been nervous.

 

[Bahnz]

That's silly. You're silly.

There's no way NZ is chasing 230+ to win this match.

 

[BoyBrumby]

There's no way NZ is chasing 230+ to win this match.

Nah.

Look, it'd be a stiff ask, no doubt, but NZ would certainly be in the game chasing that kinda score. I'd make it maybe 70/30 England.

 

[Bahnz]

So... any word on the seriousness of Southee's injury?

 

[BoyBrumby]

He's not on the Hughes spectrum of cutting OCD, but Root's maybe just a little too keen on the cut sometimes.

 

[Bahnz]

Boult much too short so far.

 

[MW1304]

***y when he does get it though

 

[BoyBrumby]

That's just comedic cricket.

 

[Bahnz]

Argh, can't miss chances like that. It was a great take, but with the hard work done all he needed to do was flick the bails off.

 

[stumpski]

Still 36 overs left today! (in theory)

 

[flibbertyjibber]

10 minute delay there with Watling going off and waiting for McCullum to get keeping kit on. No chance of fitting the overs in today.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Why doesn't McCullum keep much anymore? Injuries or just focusing on batting?

 

[Prince EWS]

Why doesn't McCullum keep much anymore? Injuries or just focusing on batting?

He wasn't exactly missing many games through it, but apparently wicket keeping had given he chronic back ache so he gave it up in Tests to avoid early retirement.

 

[weeman27bob]

McCullum standing up with no helmet or pads? Bloody mentalist.

 

[Prince EWS]

McCullum standing up with no helmet or pads? Bloody mentalist.

Not the first time either. It's his go these days when he has to keep; just throws on some gloves and gets on with it.

 

[MW1304]

Trott letting Martin bowl to him, hitting half trackers to fielders, patting full tosses back to the bowler etc.

 

[Howe_zat]

Nice innings Rootles, now quintuple it, there's a good lad