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

[yuppie]

Everyone talking about England taking the chance to win the game from here and not settling for a draw. Have to bear in mind that the mindset for the last day and half has been to save the game.

Stokes must have changed that view a little.

Maybe a chance for England to Grasp the opportunity his innings gave them.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Can't see anything other than an England win or a draw. Doubt England will declare in the first hour though. Which is fine, no one should take a quixotic punt on a win, and risk defeat, after working hard to get back on top. Giving NZ a glimpse of victory would make them bat more recklessly, but England would be idiotic to risk defeat, however slight. And I can't see Commander Strauss countenancing that.

Spot on AC.

[yuppie]

Can't see anything other than an England win or a draw. Doubt England will declare in the first hour though. Which is fine, no one should take a quixotic punt on a win, and risk defeat, after working hard to get back on top. Giving NZ a glimpse of victory would make them bat more recklessly, but England would be idiotic to risk defeat, however slight. And I can't see Commander Strauss countenancing that.

Spot on AC.

Yep best not loose.........

[mikesiva]

another dead batting track....

[Arthur Crabtree]

If England bat on and draw, Warne needn't turn up. His commentary has already been recorded.

[andy]

anyone else been slightly suprised at the lack of real penetration from Tim Southee?

[mikesiva]

Marlon Samuels has bee told about Stokes' ton.

[DiligentDefence]

Nice touch from the NZ team at the end of the day, to a man shaking Cook's hand, clearly a thoroughly decent bunch of guys.

It was one of the pleasures of watching the NZ v SL series over the winter. Both sides showed great respect and appreciation of the performances.

[yorker_129-7]

England's lead is not even 300, think that's a bare minimum. If McCullum gets going 300 becomes 200 very quickly, and 90 overs is a long time. England should go out tomorrow and swing the bat, aim for 350 ASAP and risk being bowled out, then set about them.

Key thing tomorrow is for England not to waste the new ball for once.

[Aidan11]

anyone else been slightly suprised at the lack of real penetration from Tim Southee?

Not on this pitch. Too flat. Glenn McGrath at his peak would only get 5 on this wicket.

[Gingerfinch]

England's lead is not even 300, think that's a bare minimum. If McCullum gets going 300 becomes 200 very quickly, and 90 overs is a long time. England should go out tomorrow and swing the bat, aim for 350 ASAP and risk being bowled out, then set about them.

Key thing tomorrow is for England not to waste the new ball for once.

I can see Cook and Ali aiming for a solid first hour, then maybe have a swing, if they're still there. The draw is a massive favourite, as I reckon both teams will take it.

[meninblue]

England's lead is not even 300, think that's a bare minimum. If McCullum gets going 300 becomes 200 very quickly, and 90 overs is a long time. England should go out tomorrow and swing the bat, aim for 350 ASAP and risk being bowled out, then set about them.

Key thing tomorrow is for England not to waste the new ball for once.

McCullums batting in first innings was not at all different than the way he has batted in any of the IPL innings he played this and last month. It will require tremendous luck for him to score a 90 with the shots he played in first innings. His junior Kane has batted more sensibly than the senior even though Kane comes back from IPL as well.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fast scoring ground weighs against early declaration.

[Dr Cricket]

Fast scoring ground weighs against early declaration.

England are not declaring they are not setting less than 4.00 run per over against nz and when they should be declaring England will probably be all out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, that's realistic.