First Test: England v New Zealand, May 21-25.

[The Waugh Twins]

Ha,ha yes it is boring much like the Captain Cook.

[greyblazer]

I fail to understand this fascination of five-over spells. When your new ball bowlers are in very good form, bowl them for 7-8 overs at least. It happened during the WC, too, when Bangladesh were in trouble and Morgan after 10 overs used his support bowlers.

At present, England only have a decent team and the captain needs to be flexible. NZ could have easily been 21 for 5. Of course, enough must have been already said about England not declaring

[ianp1970]

Can the commentators stop bleating on about third man.

I'd always have one due to the percentage of runs which go down in that area, usually from a false stroke.

One of my pet hates is when we don't have one, but I can see a case for replacing him with a close in leg side fielder in the current situation.

[The Waugh Twins]

Ha,ha yes it is boring much like the Captain Cook.

Reminds me of "the Pirates Of The Caribbean" when the Commodore says of Captain Jack Sparrow "quite possibly the worst pirate I have ever seen"

Then as he sails away with Legolas the bloke next to him says "that's probably the smartest pirate I have ever seen".

[The Waugh Twins]

Of course Cook is going to get very lucky here as I'm guessing En Zed won't make it over the line. No matter how you look at it though it was a timid decision to bat on so long and I can't think of one of the past 6 Australian Captains that would have gone this far unless perhaps they were playing the West Indies of the 80's.

This is after all New Zealand, no disrespect, but they have more sheep than people.

[Aidan11]

I just hope we don't end up having them 9 down at the close like SL a year ago.

[Gingerfinch]

Of course Cook is going to get very lucky here as I'm guessing En Zed won't make it over the line. No matter how you look at it though it was a timid decision to bat on so long and I can't think of one of the past 6 Australian Captains that would have gone this far unless perhaps they were playing the West Indies of the 80's.

This is after all New Zealand, no disrespect, but they have more sheep than people.

I'd normally complain myself, but we were in a bit of trouble, and had to get ourselves out of it. Once we did, we were hardly going to throw it away.

[The Waugh Twins]

Of course Cook is going to get very lucky here as I'm guessing En Zed won't make it over the line. No matter how you look at it though it was a timid decision to bat on so long and I can't think of one of the past 6 Australian Captains that would have gone this far unless perhaps they were playing the West Indies of the 80's.

This is after all New Zealand, no disrespect, but they have more sheep than people.

I'd normally complain myself, but we were in a bit of trouble, and had to get ourselves out of it. Once we did, we were hardly going to throw it away.

I've talked about this before, that it's the different mindset of England to Australia. Also I think with so much of the short format of the game people think anything is obtainable in test cricket. It's easy to slow the scoring down if you're a good Captain and you've done your homework.

I doubt New Zealand would have scored more than 270 had they batted all day without some miraculously amazing fluke of an innings. As a Captain you can't be so paranoid to believe that is going to happen.

[The Waugh Twins]

Of course if Clark makes some stupidly brave declaration this summer and England pull off a miraculous run chase I will eat my humble pie.

[The Waugh Twins]

Oh my goodness 9 off that over, New Zealand are cruising.

[budgetmeansbudget]

But having dug yourself out of a deep hole you aren't going to throw it away on the last day.

Also NZ scored at around 4 runs an over in their first innings. This is a fast scoring pitch.

[The Waugh Twins]

But having dug yourself out of a deep hole you aren't going to throw it away on the last day.

Also NZ scored at around 4 runs an over in their first innings. This is a fast scoring pitch.

I completely understand your view of it Budget, and Cooks. Also there's nothing riding on it for me so I'm not that nervous about it. I understand a loss in a test to En Zed is far worse than a draw or anything for that matter.

I just see it differently.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Aidan11]

NZ are starting to dig for safety.


Everyone look at Cook for inspiration.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Cook is your traditional negative, cautious, pessimistic English man, just like me good self.

[The Waugh Twins]

New Zealand won't last long here with this approach. Wish I could watch it, might have to buy a package for the Ashes.