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

[Arthur Crabtree]

Commendable start for the Kiwis, against B&A, under cloud.

[sussexpob]

MCC members popping champagne corks towards the cricket pitch, disgusting loutish behaviour.

How come these toffs are allowed to smuggle alcohol into the ground whilst the regular cricket fan can't?

Anyone can take booze in, if you can afford a ticket.

But yet, pretty thoughtless.

Just had a browse on the Lords General Ground Regulations. Turns out you can bring up to a maximum of 2 pints up to 6% volume or a 75cl bottle up to 18% volume.

Last time I went, it was a bottle of wine per person, or a 4 pack of normal lager.....

That's why I take took the ex-girlfriend.... thought I would get 8 beers to drink, but she got so bored by lunch she was starting on mine, and I was ended up at the mercy of the £4.80 warm beer in plastic cup merchants....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wood does look a bit like Jones, but his approach reminds me of Onions too.

Not sure there'll be a lot of reverse swing on this lush outfield and no strips cut on the square. And a grassy pitch. But the ball will go conventionally all day while there's cloud cover. If they pitch it up.

[ddb]

No ball.

Idiot.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No ball.

That wasn't coming was it...

[Arthur Crabtree]

What is it with these Durham players...

Damn, Botham beat me to it.

[backfootpunch]

Like the look of wood, has genuine pace but pretty good control as well

Hopefully he has learned his lesson with the no ball fiasco

[sussexpob]

Could be a long two days for England's bowlers. Still convinced this pitch is a featherbed to bat on once the ball gets past 20 overs, they needed to take the openers early and get into New Zealand, and haven't made an impression yet.

Had no idea that Guptil's test career had gone so badly.... averaging under 30?? Strange for a player that seems, at his best, to be one of the best natural strikers of the ball I can remember.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The Kiwi's openers are supposed to be their weakness, and England's new ball bowlers their strength, so especially good start for the tourists.

[sussexpob]

The Kiwi's openers are supposed to be their weakness, and England's new ball bowlers their strength, so especially good start for the tourists.

Indeed. I said that the difference in the top 3 in this series would settle it, and if England are conceding runs to this two at the top, they have little chance to beat New Zealand as behind them are pretty sound players that play quite deep.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Not watching it but the still on the bbc website is showing part of his foot was a millimetre behind the line.

[sussexpob]

Not watching it but the still on the bbc website is showing part of his foot was a millimetre behind the line.

Foot is not on the ground in that picture

[budgetmeansbudget]

Not watching it but the still on the bbc website is showing part of his foot was a millimetre behind the line.

Foot is not on the ground in that picture

Heel is on the ground as far as I can see, and why would they use that still if it wasn't the critical moment?

[sussexpob]

Not watching it but the still on the bbc website is showing part of his foot was a millimetre behind the line.

Foot is not on the ground in that picture

Heel is on the ground as far as I can see, and why would they use that still if it wasn't the critical moment?

They did. The heel appeared to be aerial still as I said, as the foot falls flat it does so over the line.

from the angles used, it seemed conclusive that it was over.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I thought it was initial impact with the ground and drag when the rest of the foot impacts doesn't count.

I know I'm only clutching at straws, and he's a bloody idiot for getting so close in the first place.

Did the umpire on the pitch call it straight away?