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

In fairness i know it was only a warm up but Livingstone was the only batsman to score any runs...

In my opinion Livingstone's runs were of little value. Folk go on about Ballance's technical deficiencies, but I fear Livingstone will get found out in the same way. For what it''s worth, the New Zealand top order got less of a run out than England did and Tom Blundell scored a core of his runs off part-time bowling.

Conditions at Eden Park are bound to be different than in Hamilton, the wicket won't be anywhere near as green for starters. One thing I did notice was how the pink ball was still in good condition even after 80 overs. Whether it's a different ball manufacturers, new method of production or playing on a lush venue - the ball used in the County Championship Day/Nighters last year aged quickly and lost it's colour after 40 overs.

Jack Leach called up for the New Zealand test series, replacing Mason Crane who has suffered a back injury.

Would be nice if Leach gets to play in the series, though in hope rather than expectation.

First beard and bald head combo since Prior?

Finally a call up for Leach! It's about time

Alviro Patterson wrote:In my opinion Livingstone's runs were of little value. Folk go on about Ballance's technical deficiencies, but I fear Livingstone will get found out in the same way. For what it''s worth, the New Zealand top order got less of a run out than England did and Tom Blundell scored a core of his runs off part-time bowling.

Conditions at Eden Park are bound to be different than in Hamilton, the wicket won't be anywhere near as green for starters. One thing I did notice was how the pink ball was still in good condition even after 80 overs. Whether it's a different ball manufacturers, new method of production or playing on a lush venue - the ball used in the County Championship Day/Nighters last year aged quickly and lost it's colour after 40 overs.

It's a new Duke-manufactured ball designed with that specific intention-to retain shine longer. Livingstone will certainly be found out if, like Ballance, he's asked to bat 3. Irrelevant at present though because comments from the coaching staff suggest he won't be selected which infers Vince will be retained or Root will bat 3.

Stoneman s/r 82.76 and Stokes s/r 84.38

Have to get a move on so they have time to bat again.

westoelad wrote:

Alviro Patterson wrote:
Conditions at Eden Park are bound to be different than in Hamilton, the wicket won't be anywhere near as green for starters. One thing I did notice was how the pink ball was still in good condition even after 80 overs. Whether it's a different ball manufacturers, new method of production or playing on a lush venue - the ball used in the County Championship Day/Nighters last year aged quickly and lost it's colour after 40 overs.

It's a new Duke-manufactured ball designed with that specific intention-to retain shine longer. Livingstone will certainly be found out if, like Ballance, he's asked to bat 3. Irrelevant at present though because comments from the coaching staff suggest he won't be selected which infers Vince will be retained or Root will bat 3.

Cheers Westoe - the new pink ball looks and behaves better than whatever was used last year in the County Championship Day/Nighters. Spinners can get some decent flight without the ball hanging up in the air for too long.

Jury is still out on Day/Night tests from a spectator point of view - got nippy in Hamilton when darkness set, even with temperatures towards higher teens.

All this talk of Broad losing the new ball to Mark Wood.....now i dunno if this is just my thinking, but if Broad is going to lose the new ball, then surely it has to be to chris woakes?

andy wrote:All this talk of Broad losing the new ball to Mark Wood.....now i dunno if this is just my thinking, but if Broad is going to lose the new ball, then surely it has to be to chris woakes?

He is losing it to anyone who is in the 4 fast bowler combination be it Wood, Woakes, Overton. Stokes would never open the bowling anyway being an all-rounder. Flintoff liked to think he was a good opener - 35.91 (26) first change 29.11 (38). Also all that time spent batting wouldn't help Stokes or Flintoff. Woakes is near that all-rounder position. He is too similar to Anderson and if he is out there batting for 4 hours? With Broad you have a better combination. He gets more bounce. Gough/Caddick, Hoggard/Harmison.

The talk is that they want to give Woakes/Wood more experience with the new ball but they bowl with it for their counties and also Root doesn't give the openers a long bowl with the new ball. First change is likely to get it in the 9th over when the ball is still hard.

It will certainly fire Broad up, which he needs as he has had a poor year.

I would give newball to Woakes and Anderson anyway, Woakes likes to swing the ball, and does good job for Warks with it, for me a no-brainer Woakes and Anderson should open the bowling.

Surely being similar to Anderson with the new ball would be a great thing? Unless we think Anderson benefits from Broad (or someone else's) different method, for example length.

If Stokes is available, surely Wood and Woakes don't get in the same side. One of them would be a fifth seamer. Not saying it couldn't happen (I mentioned the possibility above), but it isn't that likely to be a consistent plan.

Would have thought wood misses out in that situation?...

Maybe, but that would mean that impressions from the Ashes don't get acted on. Though deciding there's a lack of pace in the attack is a standard conclusion drawn from England defeats.