Our attacking mode of play is the only thing that can possibly save us here
There has to be a balance though. It's a bit like constantly bowling bouncers - if you know what's coming virtually every ball you can set plans for that
I understand NZ probably wont enforce the follow on, but when you have a team on the ropes like we are you could have the match all wrapped up tonight or by lunch tomorrow.
England aren't going to go into their shells & grind out 300 now are they.
It is time, if only for Crawley's mental health, that he is dropped now. I'm really not sure his confidence could be any lower and the only way to restore it is to take him out of the firing line.
Whilst our victory in the 2nd Test was down to some breath taking attacking batting. I felt favour fortuned the brave on the day and would be unlikely to do so on the majority of occasions. I couldn't understand why "commentators" were saying it was England's new attacking mode. As far as I can see our Test batsman have been failing for years, because they were already too attacking and lacking in patience. My cricket mates agreed. Today, I feel is the most likely outcome if you attempt to bat T20 style in Tests.
I understand NZ probably wont enforce the follow on, but when you have a team on the ropes like we are you could have the match all wrapped up tonight or by lunch tomorrow.
England aren't going to go into their shells & grind out 300 now are they.
Well exactly, part of me hopes they do enforce it and bowl us out again by the end of the day.
Might nip some of this 'no compromise, positivity. attacking cricket' in the bud. I'm all for it, but you need to be clever about it and play the situation in front of you, as it's not going to work on pitches where the ball is moving or spinning.
I understand NZ probably wont enforce the follow on, but when you have a team on the ropes like we are you could have the match all wrapped up tonight or by lunch tomorrow.
England aren't going to go into their shells & grind out 300 now are they.
NZ don't get anything extra for winning it early though. The only thing that might influence enforcing the follow on is any forecast bad weather.
I understand NZ probably wont enforce the follow on, but when you have a team on the ropes like we are you could have the match all wrapped up tonight or by lunch tomorrow.
England aren't going to go into their shells & grind out 300 now are they.
NZ don't get anything extra for winning it early though. The only thing that might influence enforcing the follow on is any forecast bad weather.
There is weather about over the next couple of days. After yesterday's play I was convinced it would be a draw.......
That was a Saturday afternoon co-ordinated appeal from a club side that persuaded the Umpire to give it out. Fortunately Overton has a right of appeal.
I am really confused if I think this makes Stokes getting out worse or vindicated
Worse - he tried to hit too many balls and with the big shot at that. The punch down the ground just now from Bairstow followed by the tennis smash from Overton to much the same area demonstrated that there are many different ways to get the same result. Both are positive.
Must admit I wanted him drooped, he was getting out the same way too often, but glad to have been wrong.
He's had a remarkable come back. In his last three series he's hit four hundreds against Australia, the Windies and NZ (2), scoring 697 runs and averaging 53.62
I for one have enjoyed Nick Knight and Mark Butcher being part of the sky coverage on the test match. Very good commentators.
Don't think Sky have a bad commentator for test matches. All absolutely superb, lovely to have Mel Jones over too. Niall O'Brien makes me want to tear my ears off though in the shorter form stuff
Comments
Relying on DRS now.
England aren't going to go into their shells & grind out 300 now are they.
I felt favour fortuned the brave on the day and would be unlikely to do so on the majority of occasions.
I couldn't understand why "commentators" were saying it was England's new attacking mode.
As far as I can see our Test batsman have been failing for years, because they were already too attacking and lacking in patience.
My cricket mates agreed.
Today, I feel is the most likely outcome if you attempt to bat T20 style in Tests.
Might nip some of this 'no compromise, positivity. attacking cricket' in the bud. I'm all for it, but you need to be clever about it and play the situation in front of you, as it's not going to work on pitches where the ball is moving or spinning.
NZ don't get anything extra for winning it early though. The only thing that might influence enforcing the follow on is any forecast bad weather.
Next target is to get the deficit below 3 figures.
Still a long long way to go before we are close to parity.
Must admit I wanted him dropped, he was getting out the same way too often, but glad to have been wrong.