The Cricket Thread

[Super_horns]

We only need 14 runs so should hopefully be ok !

Gives NZ a sniff .

 

[Railway Blue]

Yes I suppose we are fortunate that NZ will have difficult decisions to make when they bat again.

 

[Super_horns]

Yes I suppose we are fortunate that NZ will have difficult decisions to make when they bat again.

Like them with Conway only really one bloke held up the innings.

Good confidence booster for Burns.

 

[kieran_vale]

Leaving the whole thing with some of his old Tweets to one side (as am sure he is going to pay a heavy price for that for a little while) am really impressed with Ollie Robinson the bowler. Looks like he belongs at this level. Seen a few comparisons to Josh Hazlewood and I can see that. Not a bad bowler to emulate either.

 

[Super_horns]

Certainly is making a good impression on the field at least !

Will there be time for a result?

 

[Railway Blue]

What an adventurous declaration by New Zealand.. If they end up winning this test they deserve applause for a very sporting gesture. I doubt Root would have done that. It makes these last two sessions interesting at least.

 

[Super_horns]

New Zealand keeping it very tight.

Cannot see us getting near the target without a Stokes or Buttler in the side.

 

[kieran_vale]

England definitely not playing their part in this as have made no attempt to score runs in this innings. Bit weak after NZ made what was a very sporting declaration. After the way a few batted first innings I can understand the reticence but this is the first match with fans back in and think they owe it to them to at least try to win.

 

[Super_horns]

According to Sky Ollie Robinson has been suspended pending an inquiry .

 

[Railway Blue]

England definitely not playing their part in this as have made no attempt to score runs in this innings. Bit weak after NZ made what was a very sporting declaration. After the way a few batted first innings I can understand the reticence but this is the first match with fans back in and think they owe it to them to at least try to win.

Yes if we'd lost that having a go if would have been a forgivable loss.

Only consolation is that the draw keeps us in the series.

Also the news that Robinson is now suspended, although inevitable is a blow because he is a player. I hope he can learn a lesson from this about social media.

 

[lordofthepies]

New Zealand wouldn't have set us 273 if they thought we'd get the runs. I've got no problem that their first priority was saving the test - we've got a young batting line up with very little test record to speak of and we were facing the second best test team in the world and were outplayed for 4 days.

 

[DontBringBertie]

New Zealand wouldn't have set us 273 if they thought we'd get the runs. I've got no problem that their first priority was saving the test - we've got a young batting line up with very little test record to speak of and we were facing the second best test team in the world and were outplayed for 4 days.

Apparently the youngest ever top 7 we’ve had in a home test match.

Apart from Root, the ‘more experienced’ of Burns, Crawley, Sibley and Pope all average in the low 30’s which is an indication they aren’t very good. Lawrence and Bracey have 7 tests between them.

Williamson would have made sure of at least 50 more runs if Stokes and or Buttler were playing.

 

[Railway Blue]

Apparently the youngest ever top 7 we’ve had in a home test match.

Apart from Root, the ‘more experienced’ of Burns, Crawley, Sibley and Pope all average in the low 30’s which is an indication they aren’t very good. Lawrence and Bracey have 7 tests between them.

Williamson would have made sure of at least 50 more runs if Stokes and or Buttler were playing.

Pretty good summation. There is also a suggestion of bringing back Haseeb Hameed, who actually averages around 43 after his 3 Tests. Still only 23 or 24.

 

[kieran_vale]

No spinner for England again. Even more so at Edgbaston I’d be wanting one in the team though suppose they are hamstrung a little by nobody available to play the all-rounder role.

Am happy to see Olly Stone in the team though. Big fan of his bowling.

 

[lordofthepies]

Agreed about the spinner. Seems madness to not pick one at Edgbaston.

 

[kieran_vale]

Agreed about the spinner. Seems madness to not pick one at Edgbaston.

Aye especially if the forecast holds into the weekend. Will be asking a lot of a four man pace attack I fear.

Good solid start by England though. Although I still would have liked us to be a bit more adventurous in the first test (albeit understanding the argument against) it does seem to have given Sibley a bit more confidence after some time at the crease.

 

[lordofthepies]

Crawley is in horrible form

 

[kieran_vale]

His footwork is horrible at the moment and just hanging his bat out there. Almost like a walking wicket.

I’m hesitant to jinx this but Burns by contrast looks really in control of what he is doing right now against some decent swing bowling from NZ.

 

[Super_horns]

Cannot be too many who have made 0 in their first 2 innings.

Nightmare for Bracey.

Looks like a bad day for England after a promising start.

 

[kieran_vale]

Enjoyable days play. Think NZ have bowled really well for most of it to be fair to them.

With that said England are in an ok position even if they were probably hoping for more than this at lunch. Nice innings by Burns and Lawrence has really impressed me. Hopefully Lawrence can go on to get a hundred tomorrow. Also nice to see a proper crowd back at the cricket again. Going there on Saturday which am looking forward to.

 

[Super_horns]

Yes Lawrence really turned it around for us .
Hopefully can continue .

 

[Railway Blue]

Bet365 on Cricinfo makes England 8/13 favourites to win this. What am I missing? Is it because Williamson is out?

 

[Super_horns]

Shame Wood didn’t get a 50.

Broad is a walking wicket.

 

[lordofthepies]

Cannot be too many who have made 0 in their first 2 innings.

Graham Gooch did and he went on to do OK...

 

[Railway Blue]

Shame Wood didn’t get a 50.

Broad is a walking wicket.

Seems a long time since he made that 160 odd.

 

[Super_horns]

That Conway looks like getting a big score.

Controversy when he was given not out on 22 when the 3rd umpire didn’t think Crawley had caught the ball.

 

[kieran_vale]

Considering it’s not their national sport the depth NZ have right now is insanely good. Can only admire them. NZ in firm command unless England can initiate some sort of collapse tomorrow.

Broad and Anderson at times have been challenging but this pitch has not responded to Wood and Stone at all. Makes the lack of a spinner all the more questionable.

 

[Valeite]

No spinner for England again. Even more so at Edgbaston I’d be wanting one in the team though suppose they are hamstrung a little by nobody available to play the all-rounder role.

Am happy to see Olly Stone in the team though. Big fan of his bowling.

England don`t pick a front line spinner and Trent Boult runs down the danger area, what a surprise!

 

[Valeite]

Considering it’s not their national sport the depth NZ have right now is insanely good. Can only admire them. NZ in firm command unless England can initiate some sort of collapse tomorrow.

Broad and Anderson at times have been challenging but this pitch has not responded to Wood and Stone at all. Makes the lack of a spinner all the more questionable.

They are quite good but England batted remarkably poorly, playing away from their bodies at swinging balls. I can forgive our errors against spin in the sub continent but medium pace swing bowling should be what we are brought up on and should play easily.

 

[lordofthepies]

Poor Bracey really isn't having the best of times at the moment