New Zealand v England, Wellington, 2nd Test Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

England successfully made a great escape in Dunedin, after being 293 behind in the first innings, leaving the series 0-0 with 2 to play. England will take heart from that, New Zealand probably will as well after bowling England out for 167. Wellington is expected to have more swing than Dunedin, and be more suited to the fast bowlers. The weather looks fine for the first 3 days, it's day 4 and 5 that will likely be interrupted by the weather. Both teams are expected to be unchanged. Starts at 21:30 GMT tonight.

[Mad for Chelsea]

a very good session for NZ. Not sure when NZ pitches became this flat but this one's another really difficult one to bowl on. England's seamers bowled well really this morning, but the ball just not doing anything. Panesar a bit disappointing really, he's managed to turn the ball a bit but hasn't made enough happen for me. It's noticeable that England are trying really hard to get him going, Prior particularly vocal, but there's also a sense of real frustration there. England need him to be their matchwinner, but he hasn't delivered so far. Big afternoon session needed for England if they're to force a win here, but with the pitch playing as it is and the weather threatening, not to mention bowlers who must be getting a little weary, that's going to be very difficult you feel.

[GSC]

Not really much for Monty to work with really. Felt he bowled cleverly yesterday to little reward.

[Mad for Chelsea]

he bowled quite nicely yesterday, but today he's been disappointing for me. The ball's certainly done much more for him than for the seamers, but he hasn't quite produced. He's bowled better than in the first test, but you just wonder if when the ball isn't really doing anything for him he's the right man for the job? could England consider Tredwell for the last test?

[GSC]

I don't rate Tredwell. You've committed to Monty as the #2, no sense throwing him away for 2 meh games on less than helpful tracks.

[GSC]

I mean, if we're being fair, England are still in a great position to win this test, however rain is going to save NZ possibly. Same team for me.

[mystiroakey]

NZ doing well tbh!!

[Duty281]

Going to be a draw now isn't it? Very disappointing series so far, 0-0 with 1 to go. Hope we get some nice weather and a proper wicket.

[EnglishReign]

Wow, I thought our Summers were bad!

[Guest]

its not their summer....its autumn in NZ...

[msp83]

Hopefully the weather will stay good for the decider.

[gboycottnut]

Well with the series currently at 0-0 all and the playing surface likely to remain a flat and slow one for the deciding test at Auckland, should England consider taking a risk by leaving Joe Root or Ian Bell out, moving Prior to 6 and going with a 5 man specialist bowling attack? So far this series it seems at best that only 2 out of the 4 specialist bowlers picked have performed in each of the first 2 tests. If they do go with a 5 man bowling attack, I would have Onions in the final XI, with Broad batting at 7, Anderson at 8, Finn at 9, Onions at 10 and Panesar at 11.

[mystiroakey]

I dont think there is much point changing the team tbh.

We performed fine.

Trying to win in 3 days and 30 overs is just to hard especially on a flat track like that

[gboycottnut]

I dont think there is much point changing the team tbh.

We performed fine.

Trying to win in 3 days and 30 overs is just to hard especially on a flat track like that

Yes it is hard to win on any flat playing track by taking 20 wickets, and this task is made even harder if just 2 out of your 4 bowlers are performing with the ball as has been the case in both of the first 2 tests. Therefore I would like to see another specialist bowler included at the expense of a specialist batsman as the odds off winning with a 5 man attack should lengthen more often than not, whilst not at the same time significantly reducing the chances of posting competitive, decent totals on the scoreboard in the first and second innings.

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