2nd Test - England v New Zealand (May 29 - June 2)

[The Waugh Twins]

This from cricinfo;

Nathan: "I love this New Zealand game plan. It has made test matches more exciting. I want to see other teams doing this and then there could be hope for a test tournament."

[Aidan11]

I reckon NZ are on for a lead of at least 250.

[m@tt]

really enjoyed watching Mark Wood bowl here...Chris Jordan could have a long wait to get back into the side..

Looks a good player. Woods should be inked in for the Cardiff Ashes Test. I doubt he'll play in the UAE - we will need to play two spinners and I doubt they'll want to take out Stokes. Though given his injury record and some comments I've heard about his action, that may be a blessing for him.

For the time being, Jordan will be fighting it out with Woakes and Plunkett for the position of first reserve.

[The Waugh Twins]

I reckon NZ are on for a lead of at least 250.

They'll be lucky if they do get that lead, and I mean literally. Looks like somebody has had words though to the NZ players at tea, lots of dot balls.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Conceding a lot of runs through mid off, always seem to have the fielder there too wide for me. Can't cut off the extra cover drive or the one past the bowler. I guess it's supposed to be a tempter to nick off to slip on the drive but half pushes past the bowler always seem to go for four. A lot of similar shots in our innings were stopped, usually by McCullum.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I reckon NZ are on for a lead of at least 250.

They'll be lucky if they do get that lead, and I mean literally. Looks like somebody has had words though to the NZ players at tea, lots of dot balls.

Suns out, could get over 300+ ahead before close of play.

[sussexpob]

This partnership is key... if this takes NZ over 200 plus, then England are already chasing a total that will increasingly look tough. I think 200-250 gives NZ a chance, 250-300 will be tough for England, 300-350 wins the match.....

[The Waugh Twins]

So 188 off 41 overs. I reckon they need to get at least 10 an over off the last 9 overs to post a decent total.

Why has Anderson bowled more than 10 overs?

[budgetmeansbudget]

Warne's record at Headingly is appalling, so you can't see Ali doing anything here.

[The Waugh Twins]

So 188 off 41 overs. I reckon they need to get at least 10 an over off the last 9 overs to post a decent total.

Why has Anderson bowled more than 10 overs?

Wrong game Mark.

[budgetmeansbudget]

So 188 off 41 overs. I reckon they need to get at least 10 an over off the last 9 overs to post a decent total.

Why has Anderson bowled more than 10 overs?

Wrong game Mark.

Yes, I was wondering what you were on about!

[The Waugh Twins]

So 188 off 41 overs. I reckon they need to get at least 10 an over off the last 9 overs to post a decent total.

Why has Anderson bowled more than 10 overs?

Wrong game Mark.

Yes, I was wondering what you were on about!

Well looks like NZ and their skipper have finally realised they could attempt to win this playing test cricket.

[Aidan11]

Not much happening for us.

[budgetmeansbudget]

It's one of those post tea sessions where the fielding side starts to go through the motions as the wickets dry up and the runs begin to flow.

[Aidan11]

Root coming on.

Worth a try.