It's been a disappointing series after our win in India. I'm not in the group that thinks beating the Aussies is a formality. If we go down 1-0 in the first Ashes test because we do not bat well enough, they will become a whole lot harder to beat. And, that's in spite of India spinning to a 4-0 win over them.
I think we have too many in-experienced players in the team - without Peterson yesterday we had Compton, Bairstow & Root and we also too many slow blockers. We need Morgan or Hales or Keisweter in there.
So your solution to inexperienced players is to bring in three players who are even more inexperienced themselves and presumably in selecting Kieswetter you'd drop Prior who averages over 40 with the bat and has consistently delivered both as a batsman and as a keeper?
Clearly the Kiwis have been using a different drop in pitch when they're batting to the one we're batting on...
They have bowled a much fuller length while Anderson, Broad and Finn have bowled back of a length - this worked in India. It's frustrating because of all the Test nations NZ offers similar bowling conditions to England, so you'd think our bowling attack would know how to bowl on these wickets.
I think we have too many in-experienced players in the team - without Peterson yesterday we had Compton, Bairstow & Root and we also too many slow blockers. We need Morgan or Hales or Keisweter in there.
So your solution to inexperienced players is to bring in three players who are even more inexperienced themselves and presumably in selecting Kieswetter you'd drop Prior who averages over 40 with the bat and has consistently delivered both as a batsman and as a keeper?
I didn't mention dropping Prior because I wouldn't..........you could play Keisweter as a batsman only, unusal I know, but without Peterson in the team we have no oomp until Prior reaches the crease.
I sat last night watching a team batting like rabitts caought in headlights.........might well have gone down fighting instead of trying to block for a day or so. The long on/off boundary is so short its criminal & we aren't even trying to loft theur spinner over the top - As Beefy said he's only played 3 tests and we are making him look like Mustaq Ahmed or Shane Warne.
we've lasted longer than I thought - IF (very big IF) we can get through the new ball with losing just 1 more wicket and can get to mid afternoon only 6 down then we may just survive. However, I still think it will all be over before tea.
Lunch 158/5... with two great chances for NZ in the last over. Only one wicket gone down, shame we couldn't hold out all the way until lunch but I think we've got to be happy in the circumstances.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Un friggin believable. England hang on with Prior and Monty to the end. Have no nails left! Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Comments
Cook , compton , trott and finn out
390 runs behind still
Occasional joy, but, they always seem to raise their game.
Bringing in a nightwatchman, who then gets out before the end of the day, just about sums this series up for us. Pathetic.
I didn't mention dropping Prior because I wouldn't..........you could play Keisweter as a batsman only, unusal I know, but without Peterson in the team we have no oomp until Prior reaches the crease.
I sat last night watching a team batting like rabitts caought in headlights.........might well have gone down fighting instead of trying to block for a day or so. The long on/off boundary is so short its criminal & we aren't even trying to loft theur spinner over the top - As Beefy said he's only played 3 tests and we are making him look like Mustaq Ahmed or Shane Warne.
Come on Ian Bell, hold the innings together.
Broad has ruined the ultimate #digin innings. Why did he have to score a run?
Minimum of 6 overs left.
4 overs left.
137 mins, 77 balls, 2 scoring shots, 6 runs.
C'mon Monty !
Survived !!
18 balls left.
6 balls to go.
Monty on strike.
Prior on strike, 3 to go.
2 left.
Last ball
BLOCKED !!
Prior not out 110
Monty not out 2.
Wot a day ! Well done England AND wonderful effort from NZ ...great finish ! You can go to bed now !