They weren't the only ones. Root & Malan sooooooo slow. Didn't have to smash every ball for 4 or 6, but just up the tempo a bit. We have to bowl them out & on this pitch that will probably take at least 4.5 sessions.
A lead of 380 - 400 would be ok. Also gives NZ a bit of a tempter, although they know they don't have to win but just bat out the overs.
307 ahead with five wickets left at lunch... afternoon session about start, hopefully get 100 more quickly and that gives us four sessions to get 10 wickets to win the test.
They weren't the only ones. Root & Malan sooooooo slow. Didn't have to smash every ball for 4 or 6, but just up the tempo a bit. We have to bowl them out & on this pitch that will probably take at least 4.5 sessions.
A lead of 380 - 400 would be ok. Also gives NZ a bit of a tempter, although they know they don't have to win but just bat out the overs.
Very poor from Root again today, no tons in seven Tests all winter is piss poor.
I do get the point and I am sure he too will be disappointed not to be converting some of these 50s.
But when you look at our top order, Root regularly getting 50s but not 100s is hardly the biggest worry right now.
I'm more concerned about his lack of urgency and understanding of the match/Test position as a captain.
absolutely. Root's lack of hundreds is way down the list of issues currently facing the side.
Never thought he should be captain and I stand by that. Admittedly can't see another option which in itself in another huge concern. I think it's going to be a long couple of years following the test side as I think Bayliss will be concentrating on the limited overs sides.
Comments
Just get on with root
Partnership 97 off 207 zzzzz
Out
Stokes in - good
New Zealand right back in it..
300 behind...
A lead of 380 - 400 would be ok. Also gives NZ a bit of a tempter, although they know they don't have to win but just bat out the overs.
6th wicket, Stokes 12
7th wicket, Broad 12
8th wicket, Wood 9
9th wicket, Bairstow 36
Leach not out on 14.
New Zealand need 382 to win.
-sigh- Just call me Nostradamus
New Zealand ~16.66%
England ~69%
Draw ~15%
Edit : and we won’t get 98 overs in because the light will deteriorate too quickly
Very poor from Root again today, no tons in seven Tests all winter is piss poor.
But when you look at our top order, Root regularly getting 50s but not 100s is hardly the biggest worry right now.
SA ended up 344-6 - leaving Oz just 610 runs behind.
At the end of play Oz were 88-3 and getting ready to warm up the plane to go home.
Bye,bye.
Fuck me, he will be feeling that once the drugs wear off.
It would be good to finish a bloody awful Test 2017/18 season for England.
Never thought he should be captain and I stand by that. Admittedly can't see another option which in itself in another huge concern. I think it's going to be a long couple of years following the test side as I think Bayliss will be concentrating on the limited overs sides.
Taylor 13 c Cook b Leach
Leach's first Test wicket is Ross Taylor. :-)
It's been getting dark over there by around 4.30PM so all they really need do is hang on for another 35 overs and they will be saved by the bad light.
Annoying but we can't complain as two days of the last Test were washed out and we still couldn't hold on for a draw.