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

[Arthur Crabtree]

155 partnership. Great day for NZ after an average first day.

I thought England would bowl then out today, more or less.

[sussexpob]

155 partnership. Great day for NZ after an average first day.

I thought England would bowl then out today, more or less.

England havent bowled 300-2 badly, a mark of the quality of the deck.

[Aidan11]

Sky don't give you much warning when they are about to show Nick Knight.

[sussexpob]

Sky don't give you much warning when they are about to show Nick Knight.

[Arthur Crabtree]

At least Cameron hasn't been down. Probably waiting for the Ashes.

[yorker_129-7]

A day of missed opportunities, which should be taken at this level. The no-ball wicket, the dropped catch and the missed run-out were all sloppy cricket which you simply cannot get away with at this level.

[braveneutral]

Good day at the office Alistair?

[KipperJohn]

Good day at the office Alistair?

It's all Bell's fault.

[The Waugh Twins]

Ross Taylor wont last long here. Already looks like he is confusing his pad for his bad....

I almost agree.

[The Waugh Twins]

Good day at the office Alistair?

It's all Bell's fault.

A bad cook will always leave you running away with the trotts. A little wood stokes the fire, but even if the root is boiling you won't be saved by the bell. Sure you can bring balance to the squad, but if you look at the broad spectrum of things even the butler and Mohamed Ali can't save Annd her son.

[The Waugh Twins]

Orlando Bloom.

[Aidan11]

This test is looking a write off for England.


We'll take wickets nw I've said that.

[yorker_129-7]

It boils down to this. England wasted the first new ball bowling waaaay too short with it. If they do it again, they're toast. But this is such a common theme with England these days it's almost more surprising when they get it right with the new ball.

New Zealand got it right with the new ball, look what happened there.

[sussexpob]

It boils down to this. England wasted the first new ball bowling waaaay too short with it. If they do it again, they're toast. But this is such a common theme with England these days it's almost more surprising when they get it right with the new ball.

New Zealand got it right with the new ball, look what happened there.

Agreed, although Aggers this morning wrote an article suggesting England had bowled very full, and only late on when they were desperate did the ball get short..... I think Aggers needs some glasses.

[KipperJohn]

England's slip cordon isn't the best either. As far as I know, only Lyth and Jordan are really specialist slippers, which really leaves you with one with Jordan not playing. Cook re-invented himself after Strauss retired and Bell has spent most of his international career patrolling the ring or at short leg.

To be fair, Cook had done pretty well all things considered. Bell has been there about a year or so and started off ok but has shelled a few recently, particularly to his left.

It's just another issue for England especially when chances are at a premium on flat wickets.