Appalling tactics by England trying to get the last wicket. Broad had flagged up yesterday how they would be using the short-ball more as we had struggled against it but it was so overused it was ridiculous. We got early wickets today with the new ball by pitching it up but when the last two Kiwis were in we decide to try and bounce them out. Root has to take some blame, he looked so out of his depth (not for the first time) moving fielders all the time, following the ball.
Agree, Wood in particular is a real concern in terms of overdoing the bouncer - he seems to bowl nothing else.
Cook gone, in more than one way. Pushed at a ball outside his off stump he should have been nowhere near. I've been a massive fan of Cook but he's finished. Yes he scored 200+ at the G but then it's the only Test that was a draw because the pitch was so dead. So people say he's still worth his place because of that knock and the biggie V SA last summer but he's not. If we keep him this coming home season against Pak and India (who are both poor tourists recently) and he gets a few scores then we'll have to play him in next years Ashes (which he wants). Sorry but the bloke just hasn't got the hunger, even if he says he has.
Look, as I have said before, you cannot keep picking players based on their record, however brilliant it is. Cook is our leading run scorer and most centuries etc but every player has their own shelf life. If we just kept picking batsmen with the best record Graham Gooch would still be playing for England. You do not have to have a ready made "Great" to replace another. Sometimes replacements are not obvious but someone will come through.
50 for Vince. I so much want him to make it. He is a beautiful player but as we know he has not performed consistently yet at the top level. Let's hope he goes on to make a big score and secure his place.
Look, as I have said before, you cannot keep picking players based on their record, however brilliant it is. Cook is our leading run scorer and most centuries etc but every player has their own shelf life. If we just kept picking batsmen with the best record Graham Gooch would still be playing for England. You do not have to have a ready made "Great" to replace another. Sometimes replacements are not obvious but someone will come through.
So, who do you replace him with? Or would you go in one short?
Well, the hope is that Hameed will come back stronger after a lean 2nd season. He is someone who no doubt will have been working very hard on his game and clearly has the ability to eventually takes Cooks place. The other thing is that Stonemab looks very close to cementing the other opening position - once he starts converting the 50's into 100's
BTW NZ got 278, which posters seemed to have omitted to say above. And Eng were 202-3 at close.
Vince is a very frustrating player. He looks like a world beater with one of the best cover drives in the business. Then he will play a loose shot and get out.
What has happened to McClenaghan, Milne and Anderson ? a frontline bowling attack of Boult,Milne,Mcc looks pretty awesome- a lot more threatening than Wagner and De Grandhomme.
Look, as I have said before, you cannot keep picking players based on their record, however brilliant it is. Cook is our leading run scorer and most centuries etc but every player has their own shelf life. If we just kept picking batsmen with the best record Graham Gooch would still be playing for England. You do not have to have a ready made "Great" to replace another. Sometimes replacements are not obvious but someone will come through.
So, who do you replace him with? Or would you go in one short?
Sounds just like the argument put up when we wanted to get rid of KR. There is always an option. Bite the bullet & the see what happens.
Oz putting up some resistance....207-9, including a maiden test fifty for Cummins - however, still 80 short of avoiding the follow-on. In Morkels last Test Match, he has gone off injured with a side-strain !
221 all out still 260 runs behind, but SA dont enforce the folow-on - they're gonna grind Oz into the dirt instead - when all Oz want to do is jump on the plane and fly home.
Look, as I have said before, you cannot keep picking players based on their record, however brilliant it is. Cook is our leading run scorer and most centuries etc but every player has their own shelf life. If we just kept picking batsmen with the best record Graham Gooch would still be playing for England. You do not have to have a ready made "Great" to replace another. Sometimes replacements are not obvious but someone will come through.
So, who do you replace him with? Or would you go in one short?
Sounds just like the argument put up when we wanted to get rid of KR. There is always an option. Bite the bullet & the see what happens.
"Bite the bullet and see what happens" doesn't seem to be the most sound strategic position to hold.
My view is that Cook is our most prolific ever batsman, has made big scores against all the best teams and has always had a hunger to excel when it most matters. If he still has the desire, he's a certainty, in my opinion.
There is no better English opening batsman. The only candidates are already in the team. One wants to bar at 4, the other is the wicket-keeper.
I think it's only fair to ask this question of anyone who wants him dropped: who would you bring in to replace him?
Look, as I have said before, you cannot keep picking players based on their record, however brilliant it is. Cook is our leading run scorer and most centuries etc but every player has their own shelf life. If we just kept picking batsmen with the best record Graham Gooch would still be playing for England. You do not have to have a ready made "Great" to replace another. Sometimes replacements are not obvious but someone will come through.
So, who do you replace him with? Or would you go in one short?
Sounds just like the argument put up when we wanted to get rid of KR. There is always an option. Bite the bullet & the see what happens.
"Bite the bullet and see what happens" doesn't seem to be the most sound strategic position to hold.
My view is that Cook is our most prolific ever batsman, has made big scores against all the best teams and has always had a hunger to excel when it most matters. If he still has the desire, he's a certainty, in my opinion.
There is no better English opening batsman. The only candidates are already in the team. One wants to bar at 4, the other is the wicket-keeper.
I think it's only fair to ask this question of anyone who wants him dropped: who would you bring in to replace him?
I have no idea as I don't follow County cricket - but this was just the argument we were having 2 months ago about KR & if we had ditched him a momth earlier then We'd be safely in the play-offs.
How many County teams are there ?? 12/14 ?? 2 opening batsmen each makes around 2 dozen - half are probably foreign, so make that a dozen - then there are the No 3's who could & probably do open, so that makes around 20. If NONE of those 20 are any good then county cricket is in a mess.
Comments
You do not have to have a ready made "Great" to replace another. Sometimes replacements are not obvious but someone will come through.
Stoneman 58*
Vince 70*
Could be a match winning partnership here? 120 runs since the last wicket.
Stoneman gone to Southee. Caught behind for 60. Great catch.
Stoneman Out for 60
Lead of 177
Echo
Vince gone for 76. Drives at a ball that he could've left alone and nicks to the slips.
BTW NZ got 278, which posters seemed to have omitted to say above.
And Eng were 202-3 at close.
a frontline bowling attack of Boult,Milne,Mcc looks pretty awesome- a lot more threatening than Wagner and De Grandhomme.
Wood/Stokes/Leech/Root/Wagner/de Grandhomme/Sodhi = 0-412
In Morkels last Test Match, he has gone off injured with a side-strain !
My view is that Cook is our most prolific ever batsman, has made big scores against all the best teams and has always had a hunger to excel when it most matters. If he still has the desire, he's a certainty, in my opinion.
There is no better English opening batsman. The only candidates are already in the team. One wants to bar at 4, the other is the wicket-keeper.
I think it's only fair to ask this question of anyone who wants him dropped: who would you bring in to replace him?
How many County teams are there ?? 12/14 ?? 2 opening batsmen each makes around 2 dozen - half are probably foreign, so make that a dozen - then there are the No 3's who could & probably do open, so that makes around 20. If NONE of those 20 are any good then county cricket is in a mess.
Then discount Robson, Lyth, Jennings, Trott et al the choice really doesn't look as good.