England v New Zealand Test Series 2026

[Arthur Crabtree]

BBC not covering the Robinson story, unless it's buried in one of the many articles about the heatwave.

Still banging on about Stokes' suspension.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mat Henry out with a calf strain
Glenn Phillips out with a side strain

Could hardly have two bigger losses. Top run scorer/wicket taker on either side.

[andy]

NZ win the toss and bat

[Arthur Crabtree]

So it's the first Test side but Archer in for Robinson.

NZ win the toss and bat.

[sussexpob]

I was actually hoping they would revert to the XI from the first match rather than retaining Archer at Robinson's expense. But not really surprised to see them going the other way.

Robinson's average is now basically the same as Glenn McGrath's. Would you have been surprised in the 90-00s if Australia had dropped McGrath after taking 8/70 in a game, and replaced him with Andy Bichel or Michael Kasprowicz for the sole reason the other two bowled quicker? You'd think that was psychotic wouldn't you? Because there is no difference here.

We can say everything we want about style/pace or what not, but Robinson's actual performance is up there in the 99th percentile of all players ever to bowl. Over nearly 100 wickets, its been all-time great numbers, and he is one decent innings away from being the statistically best bowler England have fielded since Sydney Barnes in the Victorian Age.

In any other sport, in any situation, why would that make sense? This is like England dropping Harry Kane for Ivan Toney because, you know, the manager thinks despite Kane thrashing goals in for 15 years constantly, he's not that good.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wondering if either side will regret not going in with two spinners by Monday.

[bigfluffylemon]

NZ win the toss and bat

Bugger

[andy]

I think one front line spinner plus the all round spinner is enough at trlrejt bridge to be fair... probably more than enough...England more likely to regret not having the control of Robinson if anything ..

[Arthur Crabtree]

For NZ, Ben Sears, Santner, Tickner are in.

Phillips, Henry, Jamieson are out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think one front line spinner plus the all round spinner is enough at trlrejt bridge to be fair... probably more than enough...England more likely to regret not having the control of Robinson if anything ..

Presumably Ravindra will do some bowling.

Shame Bracewell isn't available.

[sussexpob]

England more likely to regret not having the control of Robinson if anything ..

The fat controller would disagree. No one takes wickets on this deck without bowling 99mph.... no one I tell you ....

Well, apart from Fergus O Neill who rips teams apart every week bowling medium pace. But what does that mean? Averaging 15 on this deck ?

Obviously nothing. The data must have found a way to prove otherwise.

[sussexpob]

Atkinson starts well.

[andy]

Atkinson starts well.

I would have picked Robinson over archer for this test ironic he's started so well haha

[sussexpob]

Stokes moves 3rd slip to put in a second gully, and guess where Latham edges it next ball.... right where the guy was standing seconds before.

[andy]

36-0 after 9 tongue into the attack...think Bashir might get an early go too