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

[Durhamfootman]

Willis also gave his verdict on Michael Vaughan-didn't get the Strauss job because he wanted too much power and too much money.

and here was me thinking it was because he might have opened the door for a Pietersen return

[sussexpob]

Its been a Brilliant recovery for England.

From being 4 wickets down in the first hour to finishing the day at 350 with 3 wickets left. Credit where its due here. A Great fight back and English fans should be reveling in that.

We will see when England get the ball, this pitch in the last session looked like a 700 all out pitch, there is absolutely no bounce or pace in it at all. At one point near the end, Southee bowled a 85mph ball back of a length that bounced twice on its way to the keeper. I literally have no idea how England ended up 30-4 on this.

I think NZ pretty much did all they had to. Bowled well with the swing on offer with the new ball and hoped for break throughs with the old ball by trying to put it in the right areas.

In all honesty, I think this pitch will only produce a result if one team now plays very badly.

[sussexpob]

Bloody hell, Joe. Keep this up and we might not miss KP after all. What a twelve months it's been for him

Now Root is hidden at 5 away from the new ball, he is doing very well, but we shouldn't be too excited yet for the Ashes.... after all, the Aussies in the last series exposed all kinds of technical errors in his game, he has a lot to prove against good bowlers, especially away from home where he has struggled against the only two attacks you expect to cause regular problems.

I guess you could also say, despite Root playing this well, the team aren't doing that great... one players form does not mask the fact that even yesterday, the whole of the top four where chewed up and spat out in a matter of overs.

I guess rather then his scoring though, it was his attitude and confidence yesterday that shone through. Seems incredibly mature for his age, and is appreciating his role in the team as top dog. Hopefully he can be a player that, even if the team may fail, he can solidify his reputation with a good ashes series.

[budgetmeansbudget]

The top four ain't that bad, even though they didn't return much yesterday. Cook has shown enough in recent times to suggest he is coming out of his trough. Lyth is on debut and got a good ball. Ballance has had a very good start to his test career, and Bell is class and you wouldn't back against him to score a hundred in the not too distant future.

[greyblazer]

Boult 1 Ballance 0.

[Dr Cricket]

I think the Ballance vs Boult/Southee.
and Ballance vs Aussie bowlers gonna be an interesting and probably one sided battle.

[andy]

Ballance deseprately needs to get forward, it worries me that he plays driveable deliveries off the back foot, hence he nicks off..it is worrying..

[sussexpob]

Ballance deseprately needs to get forward, it worries me that he plays driveable deliveries off the back foot, hence he nicks off..it is worrying..

Its pretty incredible that Gary has been so successful so far in his test career with such a big technical issue. He counter acts it with being turgidly negative, which has worked, but he does seem like a guy who might struggle against world class attack if it continues.

Andrew Strauss was an example of a player that got away with it a few years, then struggled to ever repeat his form after the start of his career. I can see that happening to Ballance unless he can have it coached out of him

[andy]

i think Ballance will be ok, and find a way, but if i was an international fast bowler, then i would look forward to bowling at him..

[sussexpob]

i think Ballance will be ok, and find a way, but if i was an international fast bowler, then i would look forward to bowling at him..

I think most test players who start very well to their career are pegged back after 15-30 tests when bowlers have found ways to get them out and have seen more of them. Ballance will almost certainly go through a period soon where bowlers start to get the better of him, his response will be the key to his career. If he can ride it out and improve once that occurs, then he will be good enough.

He seems to have the attitude, he can be a real grinder out of innings, and at times very boring to watch when he goes into survival mode.... but that is the mark of a good player, adapting to what is thrown at you.

[andy]

looking forward to today. Would love another 200 runs, would be amazing if it happened, but sadly can't see it happening, so another 100 from here would be a decent effort

[alfie]

I think the Ballance vs Boult/Southee.
and Ballance vs Aussie bowlers gonna be an interesting and probably one sided battle.

If it is one sided it won't be very interesting...

Look we already knew Ballance had technical issues ; so far he has scored heavily despite them. Perhaps we should give him more than a single innings against a very handy seam attack to see how he adapts before writing him off ?

Easy as the pitch appeared for batting later in the day , thre was plenty happening for the bowlers in the first hour. The 30/4 was down to good bowling as much as batsman error. Ballance will walk out to bat in much easier conditions at times this summer.
Though I don't expect him to maintain his high average. Would be remarkable if he did !

[andy]

Hussey-esque lol

[alfie]

looking forward to today. Would love another 200 runs, would be amazing if it happened, but sadly can't see it happening, so another 100 from here would be a decent effort

I am also looking forward to today. But I'll be astonished if they add more than another hundred. Odds are it will be rather less : still newish ball , fresh start for the bowlers , and just Broad - with all his recent issues against pace ; a first gamer , and Jimmy , left to support Moeen.

Anything north of 400 would please me. Then we shall see how the England bowlers manage on this surface. If the day is half as interesting as yesterday it will be worth watching.

[captaincolly]

So Broad has come in ahead of Wood.