NZ v England test matches, November 2019

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ninth wicket stand saves NZA. Good practice for England, save the top order batting again... And would have been useful if Leach had taken a few wickets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe the first time Denly has been a nailed on starter who could afford to fail and still keep his place. And that's after averaging 32 against the Aussies with no hundreds. If he's fit.

[bigfluffylemon]

Looks as if Curran is in the box seat for the number 8 spot.

I wish I had some confidence that his batting at number 8 wouldn't be required to get England out of multiple holes.

[Slipstream]

Was thinking Root doesn't give Curran much bowling. Once bowled 29 overs in a match. Had a look at the others

35+ - 40+ - 50+ overs in a match

32 - 37 - 20 Anderson (149)
16 - 36 - 5 Broad (132)
4 - 2 - 2 Stokes (57)
3 - 6 - 0 Woakes (31)

I suppose we now have Archer there won't be a need for lots of overs for the bowlers as Archer will bounce them out. Also Broad talking of users bouncers more. Between Archer, Stokes and Broad I expect the ball to go soft quickly.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Teams according to Cricinfo.

New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham, 2 Jeet Raval, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Colin de Grandhomme, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Trent Boult.

England: 1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Joe Denly, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Ollie Pope, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Sam Curran, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Jack Leach, 11 Stuart Broad.

So a debut for Sibley. Good luck to him.

Pitch should start green that go flat. Typical NZ pitch.

[Durhamfootman]

no room for Ferguson. NZ sticking with the tried and tested and letting England take all the risks in personnel

[Durhamfootman]

I'll be honest.... it feels like England will do well to get anything out of this test series. NZ look massive favourites to me judging by the two line ups

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think so.

Might be a lot of the game is in the toss though. Bowl first and then bat on day two. Hope it turns enough to take another ten wickets later on.

England have the better spinner.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hmm. England are batting. Maybe the green grass has been mowed off.

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is the new England. No runs for three overs!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Boult would have got Burns there if he'd reviewed.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No wickets in the first hour. Must have been a while.

Go on. Slash at a wide one. I know you want to.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only one opening partnership in the Ashes survived more balls, says someone on cricinfo.

[DiligentDefence]

It's almost like it's a test match.

[bigfluffylemon]

Fifty opening partnership, before Sibley goes. A shame, but bodes well. Of course now I will jinx it.

Compared to the first morning of last series, this is riches indeed.