England v New Zealand, First Test Lord's

First topic message reminder :

So after all the drama and acrimony of the last couple of weeks, its time for the action to begin on the field. The first test of the English summer gets underway at the HQ from tomorrow. An upcoming New Zealand against an embattled England. But England are on home turf, New Zealand don't have a good record in England, most of their recent success has come at home, the core of their test side are just coming on the back of T-20 cricket at the IPL rather than much getting used to English conditions.
England on the other hand are without a coach and questions on Kevin Pietersen are going away nowhere. There are unsettled issues about the combination of the side, with the position of one of the openers, the 3rd seamer and the spinner being open questions.
Adam Lyth is likely to make his debut for England tomorrow, and there is a chance that Mark Wood might come in for Chris Jordan.
For New Zealand, it is being suggested that Matt Henry might get to debut and offer backup to Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Martin Guptill, on the back of a spectacular world cup and 150 in the warmup game is set to come back as test opener, and Corey Anderson, coming back from injury, is set to take the all-rounder position.
Set for some very interesting cricket.......

Well not bad on my road map. England bowled out with a 345 lead just before noon.

Warne thinks Cook should bat Broad at number 11 to embarrass him. Warne has a lot of good ideas about the game, but this is not one of them. Using embarrassment or shame as a coaching tool is about the worst thing you could do.

There is an argument that Broad should be batting 11, but the embarrassment factor isn't the right reason.

Moeen Ali out fairly plumb LBW (although "umpire's call" on height - meh, there's something I don't like still about umpire's call). Boult has 4. In all the talk about everybody else he's had a fairly quietly successful game.

Looks like Craig's shout of 350 at noon looks close to spot on.

JDizzle wrote:Think that should have been the declaration there. 344 in 77 is a big enough challenge for me.

Well 4.5 runs an over isn't exactly easy, but 345 might not look such a big target if Guptil, Williamson and McCullum get their eye in.

I think its finely poised and either side still in with a good chance of the win. Personally would've preferred England to get another 20-30 runs, but if we bowl well, it should be an interesting final day.

guildfordbat wrote:Mike - yes, and some of us are old enough to remember what Gordon Greenidge and someone else once did on a day 5.

With no disrespect to the New Zealanders none of them are in Greenidge's class and he himself said the pressure was well and truly off knowing the next two due in were Lloyd and Richards.

News off the pitch, its been reported that Trevor Bayliss has accepted an offer to replace Peter Moores as England coach.

So Olly gets his wish ... All results are quite possible from here.

No surprise to me : rather expected the tail wouldn't last long after the dismissal of Cook. Not sure England will be too bothered as this is probably round about the target they were looking to set - maybe they'd have liked another fifteen runs but...

Well bowled Boult.

...Jimmy strikes first ball !

dyrewolfe wrote:

JDizzle wrote:Think that should have been the declaration there. 344 in 77 is a big enough challenge for me.

Well 4.5 runs an over isn't exactly easy, but 345 might not look such a big target if Guptil, Williamson and McCullum get their eye in.

I think its finely poised and either side still in with a good chance of the win. Personally would've preferred England to get another 20-30 runs, but if we bowl well, it should be an interesting final day.

Think you have to back your side to stop a side scoring at 4.5 an over on the fifth day of a Test match though. Definitely wouldn't have declared any earlier, but when Moeen got out it felt like the perfect time for me. Hopefully those 5 balls won't make a difference!

And Jimmy strikes... 399.

Wow - that didn't take long!

Guptil gone 2nd ball - caught Ballance, bowled Anderson.

What a start for England!

Sorry , second ball...near enough

Good bit of bowling. Just the start England needed.

Wonder what that will do to the NZ game plan ? McCullum is the main aggressor , but Guptill was a key player too.

Latham gone first ball to Broad !

All happening...

Broady you beauty.

Jesus - and Latham goes for a duck...lbw to Broad!

NZ 0 for 2.

Amazing start!

What a start. Memories of the 68 all out last time around ?

Broad on a hat trick...

345 in 77 overs it is. Interesting. Right on the borderline of what is achievable if you ask me. Another 20 or so runs and barring something extraordinary England were safe. 20 or so runs fewer and a "normal" batting effort from New Zealand would have got them within touching distance.

I think New Zealand will bat fairly normally until about tea. That would get them somewhere between 150-180. They could then have a go if they still have wickets (and esp McC) in hand.

England will be looking to nip out a couple before lunch.

And there's one of them!

And another, Latham out plumb LBW. Reviewing this one would be a mistake and he doesn't.

England on top. Williamson the key wicket, if they can somehow get him before lunch... The rest of the line-up will offer chances (Wattling perhaps the most solid - England shouldn't underestimate him).

Broad on a hat-trick... Taylor survives.

Say goodbye to the run chase. NZ will be playing for the draw now...

Hammersmith harrier wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Mike - yes, and some of us are old enough to remember what Gordon Greenidge and someone else once did on a day 5.

With no disrespect to the New Zealanders none of them are in Greenidge's class and he himself said the pressure was well and truly off knowing the next two due in were Lloyd and Richards.

As a destructive opening force, I doubt any one has been in Greenidge's class before or since. [If anyone suggests Gayle, I will report them to a moderator.] The guy he had alongside riding shotgun that day wasn't a bad foil either.

The point I was more making was that too many (much of the press, broadcasters, public) back then were calling for an early declaration by England without thought of how badly it could turn out. The Windies chased down 340 odd (sound familiar) at the same ground in iirc something like 66 overs with more than 10 to spare. Sure, NZ aren't in the same batting class but there was no need for England today to rush into giving them a possible invitation to a celebratory party. As it happens, things here have taken care of themselves.

Now a drop! England all over them here.

Oooh!

Root drops Taylor...Broad should have had his second wicket there!

Williamson indeed the key. If he were to fail now you'd think the chances of NZ defending for two sessions would be on the slim side.

Taylor dropped at fourth slip ! Joe Root just got his hand in the wrong place ...he'd usually take that , though it was low and quick.
Edges galore...another thirty five minutes to lunch could be pretty tense.

guildfordbat wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Mike - yes, and some of us are old enough to remember what Gordon Greenidge and someone else once did on a day 5.

With no disrespect to the New Zealanders none of them are in Greenidge's class and he himself said the pressure was well and truly off knowing the next two due in were Lloyd and Richards.

As a destructive opening force, I doubt any one has been in Greenidge's class before or since. [If anyone suggests Gayle, I will report them to a moderator.] The guy he had alongside riding shotgun that day wasn't a bad foil either.

The point I was more making was that too many (much of the press, broadcasters, public) back then were calling for an early declaration by England without thought of how badly it could turn out. The Windies chased down 340 odd (sound familiar) at the same ground in iirc something like 66 overs with more than 10 to spare. Sure, NZ aren't in the same batting class but there was no need for England today to rush into giving them a possible invitation to a celebratory party. As it happens, things here have taken care of themselves.

I do agree, we were always going to bat until we were all out and rightly so but at the same time I do think it's a bit silly to bring up an occasion when the greatest test team in history chased down a big total against a tired diminished England bowling attack.

We're now in a position where it's a case of getting Williamson out and waiting for the others to tumble, he is the only batsmen they have of real class, the rest are good one day and fairly poor test players truth be told.

guildfordbat wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Mike - yes, and some of us are old enough to remember what Gordon Greenidge and someone else once did on a day 5.

With no disrespect to the New Zealanders none of them are in Greenidge's class and he himself said the pressure was well and truly off knowing the next two due in were Lloyd and Richards.

As a destructive opening force, I doubt any one has been in Greenidge's class before or since. [If anyone suggests Gayle, I will report them to a moderator.] The guy he had alongside riding shotgun that day wasn't a bad foil either.

The point I was more making was that too many (much of the press, broadcasters, public) back then were calling for an early declaration by England without thought of how badly it could turn out. The Windies chased down 340 odd (sound familiar) at the same ground in iirc something like 66 overs with more than 10 to spare. Sure, NZ aren't in the same batting class but there was no need for England today to rush into giving them a possible invitation to a celebratory party. As it happens, things here have taken care of themselves.

Agree with that ! That England attack included Botham and Willis so it wasn't exactly a bunch of pie throwers.
No Greenidge here ; but giving NZ 80 plus overs to get 320 would have been irresponsible more than adventurous...

Taylor drop mattered not as Broad pins him stone dead in front...he practically walked

Boom! Taylor gone, plum lbw to Broad

guildfordbat wrote:
As a destructive opening force, I doubt any one has been in Greenidge's class before or since. [If anyone suggests Gayle, I will report them to a moderator.] The guy he had alongside riding shotgun that day wasn't a bad foil either.

What happens to us if we suggest Shewag? ;-)

Seriously though I suspect Hayden would be the only one who would come close, in terms of bullying the bowlers. He also had a good player riding shotgun.

In time perhaps Warner will get there? Obviously far too soon to say yet.

Root drops a sitter: poor technique in getting down on his knees there.

I've been watching a fair amount of footage from the 60s (a lot has surfaced on youtube following Richie passing on) and of the many things that struck me (I may post more in length about it when I have some time) I was taken by the observation that the one thing which hasn't really moved on at all has been slip catching. It seems to me that slip catching hasn't really improved since those days or indeed changed all that much. I suspect this is primarily because at its basis slip catching is an instinctive thing. interested to hear anybody else's thoughts on this.

Another one for Broad! The dropped catch not too costly. Watling in ahead of McCullum, not often you force McCullum on the defensive.

Whoa!

That drop wasn't very expensive after all. Broad finally gets Taylor lbw for 8.

NZ now 12-3.

The rate England are going they will wrap up the win before tea...even with some heroics from Williamson and McCullum.

I'd like to see an over from Wood now...bring Jimmy back after lunch.
Ball should still swing.

Just give them a different problem.

The commentators are making a bit too much of Broad's batting problems here, when your number 8 is Ali does it matter that much if 9 and 10 will come in and slog?

Hammersmith harrier wrote:The commentators are making a bit too much of Broad's batting problems here, when your number 8 is Ali does it matter that much if 9 and 10 will come in and slog?

Its probably just because he used to be able to bat pretty well...was even considered a potential all-rounder at one time.

Would be nice if he could rediscover his form with the bat, but fortunately right now it isn't a major problem, as long as he takes wickets.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:The commentators are making a bit too much of Broad's batting problems here, when your number 8 is Ali does it matter that much if 9 and 10 will come in and slog?

I think it is more regret that Broad , who was once nearly an all rounder , has totally lost it. They'd like to see him come back at least some of the way. If he could just recover his confidence he might be very handy ; but he isn't finding it easy...and every time he bats he gets bombarded...

CaledonianCraig wrote:Route map for today - England declare with a lead of 350 at Noon. For them to be in with a chance you'd think they'd need a minimum of two wickets before lunch, a minimum of three wickets in the afternoon and the rest in the final session. I can't see it myself and think it is now a nailed on draw.

Well at lunch my route map is ahead of schedule. New Zealand 21 for 3. This is now going to either be a draw or England win. Any hope of NZ going for the win have gone.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:The commentators are making a bit too much of Broad's batting problems here, when your number 8 is Ali does it matter that much if 9 and 10 will come in and slog?

I think the point is that if your 9, 10 and 11 are all hopeless then Ali is going to be left stranded too often. I feel they are rather over-egging the pudding TBH; Anderson and Wood both look capable of hanging around with a more accomplished batsman, so giving Broad a bit of licence at no 9 wouldn't be the worst thing.

Excellent bowling from England. This partnership is now absolutely key - by a distance New Zealand's most solid 2 players. Get through this sometime in the afternoon and England have a real chance.

Delightful from England. They've been reeling in New Zealand from day three onwards, and are now firmly ahead.

Amusingly, New Zealand may have hastened their demise by bowling England out, as I don't think Cook would have declared.

All four pace bowlers looking good. Swing and uneven bounce prevalent. Another three, as a minimum, in the next session and victory will be within reach.

Mike Selig wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:The commentators are making a bit too much of Broad's batting problems here, when your number 8 is Ali does it matter that much if 9 and 10 will come in and slog?

I think the point is that if your 9, 10 and 11 are all hopeless then Ali is going to be left stranded too often. I feel they are rather over-egging the pudding TBH; Anderson and Wood both look capable of hanging around with a more accomplished batsman, so giving Broad a bit of licence at no 9 wouldn't be the worst thing.

Excellent bowling from England. This partnership is now absolutely key - by a distance New Zealand's most solid 2 players. Get through this sometime in the afternoon and England have a real chance.

Very much agree. These two have the temperament to bat time...not sure too many of the others are suited to a holding action.
Still a lot of work to do . England were four down in an hour on day one and only lost three more for the day...but there is a different sort of pressure on day five.

Those who paid a reduced price for tickets to watch today are certainly getting their money's worth .

Littl surprising to see NZ reeling, but Ross Taylor hasn't been able to buy a run in the last whenever, and I don't actually rate Guptill. Strange old game Test cricket, the textbook definition of "first slowly... then all at once"

BOOM!

Stokes gets Williamson - a massive wicket for England!

Great catch by Rooty to make up for his earlier shelled dolly.

NZ 61-4



Enter Brendon McCullum...wait for the fireworks...



OMG! Bowled 1st ball!!!!


Thats 2 now for Stokes and NZ are 61-5...surely the win is in the bag for England now???

Ohhhh Ben.

2 in 2!

None of this means he should of been picked for the WC though! Terrible chat.

Come on Stokes...

Corey Anderson to face Stokes' hat-trick ball...who lets it go...


What an explosive, potentially match-winning over!

England now 1/3...anyone get on at 14/1?

As well as Stokes, I am so very enthused about the potential of Wood. Wonderful talent.

Duty281 wrote:England now 1/3...anyone get on at 14/1?

As well as Stokes, I am so very enthused about the potential of Wood. Wonderful talent.

That was a brave bet , Duty. Looking pretty good now...though as the ball gets older batting gets a lot easier on this pitch. Still five to take...

Break this pair and you'd think there's an end open.

Was about to point out Moeen seems to be pitching a bit too short...but Warne just beat me to it. With pictures.

Hope someone nudges him.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Route map for today - England declare with a lead of 350 at Noon. For them to be in with a chance you'd think they'd need a minimum of two wickets before lunch, a minimum of three wickets in the afternoon and the rest in the final session. I can't see it myself and think it is now a nailed on draw.

Still on track with the prediction but I do reckon this has draw written all over it but considering the pickle England were in after three days then they'd have taken the draw.

Good stuff from this pair. Anderson plays a bit by numbers you feel sometimes, but he's still there and Watling looks as solid as ever.

England could really do with Moeen finding a bit of consistency. There's plenty there for the spinner but he really hasn't gotten enough balls in the right area.

I'd be interested in giving Wood a spell after tea also, think his extra pace could produce something.

Apart from that I think it's important not to strive too hard or be too "funky" - the odd short ball is fine, but an over of short balls is probably not going to do it. The pitch is still doing a bit so line and length remains the best bet IMO. Stay patient, there's not that much batting in this NZ tail - Craig is a decent no 8, but the rest aren't noted for hanging around.

Think England would have liked at least one more.

Still, 36 overs left and five wickets to capture. England can take heart from how the Kiwi tail folded in the first innings, and how those last three batsmen for New Zealand are far from proficient with the bat.

As Alfie says, though, the ball is older. And Watling and Anderson are getting settled.

One more glorious spell for England and they will be victorious.

Well it would have been a wicket but it would have been a dreadful strangle for Jimmy's 400th

Was quite sure that would be overturned on review.

Agree with Mike England need to stick to the basics...they are traditional methods because they work.

With the odd surprise ball of course.

Duty281 wrote:Think England would have liked at least one more.

Still, 36 overs left and five wickets to capture. England can take heart from how the Kiwi tail folded in the first innings, and how those last three batsmen for New Zealand are far from proficient with the bat.

As Alfie says, though, the ball is older. And Watling and Anderson are getting settled.

One more glorious spell for England and they will be victorious.

Kiwi tail went down swinging , though - different situation today. Think they could work through the last four , but they need to separate these two soon or you'll have tired bowlers trying too hard to blast out dead batting players with overs vanishing fast.
Next half hour the key I reckon. Stay patient ; make them play as much as you can.

Wood on...and Joe Root warming up.

Am wondering if I can safely assume a draw and turn in for the night ? Suppose it only takes one mistake and game is on again ; but it is starting to look like one of those last days that promise much and end up fading out quietly...

Watling's gloved one. six down now.

So vital, and so very deserved for Wood.

26.3 overs for four more wickets.

alfie wrote:Wood on...and Joe Root warming up.

Am wondering if I can safely assume a draw and turn in for the night ?  Suppose it only takes one mistake and game is on again ; but it is starting to look like one of those last days that promise much and end up fading out quietly...

Not quite yet alfie. Watling gloves to Buttler and Wood gets a wicket. Six down 4 to go.