NZ Test tour of Eng, June 2-27

[bigfluffylemon]

Root's innings was far from his best ever, given the wicket and match situation, but it was as good as I have seen him bat, if that makes sense. His timing and placement were just sublime. Joy to watch.

The commentators are waxing lyrical about him being England's best ever. That's a big call given some stiff competition (Hammond, Hobbs, Hutton, Barrington anyone?), but it's hard to compare across eras. He's the best I've seen for England in my lifetime.

I might post a few polls about that.

[sussexpob]

The commentators are waxing lyrical about him being England's best ever. That's a big call given some stiff competition (Hammond, Hobbs, Hutton, Barrington anyone?), but it's hard to compare across eras. He's the best I've seen for England in my lifetime.

I might post a few polls about that.

I got 3/4's of the way through a massive attempt at positioning him in the grand scheme of England's batting. Watch this space.

[sussexpob]

Root's innings was far from his best ever, given the wicket and match situation, but it was as good as I have seen him bat, if that makes sense. His timing and placement were just sublime. Joy to watch

I'd personally put that monster in India in 2020 as his best. If memory serves, it had been years since India lost a test at home.... he knocked off well over 200

[bigfluffylemon]

Root's innings was far from his best ever, given the wicket and match situation, but it was as good as I have seen him bat, if that makes sense. His timing and placement were just sublime. Joy to watch

I'd personally put that monster in India in 2020 as his best. If memory serves, it had been years since India lost a test at home.... he knocked off well over 200

That's a pretty good shout, I think.

[bigfluffylemon]

Why is Jimmy off the field?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Interesting end to the game looks possible after all.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Seven down. England well on top here but if the tail can add about 50, who knows.

[Durhamfootman]

just seen the scorecard. Feels like an opportunity tomorrow if they can polish off the tail early. Will Jamieson play, I wonder?

[bigfluffylemon]

just seen the scorecard. Feels like an opportunity tomorrow if they can polish off the tail early. Will Jamieson play, I wonder?

Seems unlikely.

[sussexpob]

Could go either way, but a great setup for day 5. Tomorrow should be an excellent days cricket

[westoelad]

just seen the scorecard. Feels like an opportunity tomorrow if they can polish off the tail early. Will Jamieson play, I wonder?

Will bat but probably won't bowl according to NZ press release.

[Durhamfootman]

that's what I was wondering tbh. England have to get 3 wickets rather than just the two

[Durhamfootman]

free entry to TB tomorrow, so hopefully the ground will be a lot fuller than it was on day 4. It could end up being a great day at the cricket. Could be the first time for an enormous day 5 crowd since OT in '05

[alfie]

Seems set up for a great last day...but I wonder if it might actually all fizzle out ? Losing those late wickets means NZ are neither far enough ahead to be looking at a quick close , nor with enough batting left to go ballistic in the morning. They will surely want to push the lead close to 300 ; and if that takes much of the morning the eventual target for England may look a bit too rich even for this McCullum/Stokes inspired "go for it" outfit...

I could see a couple of early wickets causing England to back off a little and ending up with too much to do later in the day - or indeed perhaps losing several and being faced with a struggle for survival . Which would of course make its own bit of drama ...that tail would not be safe to have xposed with evem 15 overs to go !

Speculating anyway - which has rarely been accurate in this match. Maybe both teams are so wedded to attack this is going to a dramatic finish whatever happens ? If so I really believe it could easily go either way. And I guess that is the best way to enter the fifth day of a very entertaining Test Match

[sussexpob]

free entry to TB tomorrow, so hopefully the ground will be a lot fuller than it was on day 4. It could end up being a great day at the cricket. Could be the first time for an enormous day 5 crowd since OT in '05

Sold out.... hearty congratulations to Notts making it free and getting a crowd in.