Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

I'm not a big fan of sweeping changes. Or didn't used to be. I'm not sure any harm would be done by scattering some new caps around in the second Test though.

NZ declare. England batting again. About a day and a half to bat out for a draw.

And Cook goes in the fourth over, after England can only take 8 NZ wickets.

Cook really is in trouble, and so are England.

Sounds a bad shot.

Some resistance from Root and Stoneman. Maybe England can stick around for a draw.

But a Waggy bouncer gets Stoneman for a fifty. Waggy's first wicket of the game.

50 and out for Root, anyone expect anything else? Nope me neither

SaintPowelly wrote:50 and out for Root, anyone expect anything else? Nope me neither

not me

a day to bat?

7 wickets to do it with?

I'd be amazed if it wasn't over by lunch

Durhamfootman wrote:a day to bat?

7 wickets to do it with?

I'd be amazed if it wasn't over by lunch

Sadly true.

Joe getting 50 and out is annoying, but if all our batsmen could do that, we'd make 350+ every time...

Three hour knock for his 50 at least suggested he didn't just stroll out and play his range of exhibition shots.

it's amazing how often key players seem to lose their wickets on the final ball of the day

Durhamfootman wrote:it's amazing how often key players seem to lose their wickets on the final ball of the day

And in this case he got hit on the hand the ball before and received lengthy treatment from the physio! Surely he should have retired hurt?

Well we've lasted longer than I expected. Gentle Ben doing a decent rearguard here (30 off nearly 100 balls), but he's left with just the bowlers for company.

Still 58 overs to go - there's only going to be one result from here. Question is when, not if England fold.

you lot must be starting to get some twinges of hope?

Forlorn, surely, but hopeful - as I am hopeful that this ball-tampering malarkey is just a bad joke.