It is weird how Moeen has these incredibly distinct batting roles that basically don't overlap. He's either going to dig in or try and hit everything for six
What was Moeen doing? Moeen was doing what Moeen does. Apart from the two opening bowlers, this is a really limited NZ attack and we are making them look like world beaters
Buttler becomes the fifth batsman to give his wicket up and another who looked in prime form before doing so - Boult and Henry only have three overs each to bowl which makes that even more frustrating. At least we still have Livingstone, Curran and Woakes but, with almost 17 overs to go, it is imperative that we do bat for the duration
I'm seeing reports that there are between 20-25K in a ground that holds 132k but, because it is so incredibly hot, they are all congregated in the more sheltered areas
Root batting by doing what he does best - working the ball around for 50 off 57 balls with just two 4s and one 6
This is how he should always bat in my opinion. He's a world class batsman when he bats normally. Cut out all the bazball nonsense and stick to what he does best.
And that is the difference between Root and so many of our other batsmen. Root will take five singles in six balls whereas the others are going dot, dot, dot, dot, boundary (or out)
And that is the difference between Root and so many of our other batsmen. Root will take five singles in six balls whereas the others are going dot, dot, dot, dot, boundary (or out)
All a bit disappointing - nearly every wicket given away rather than lost.
And there's another one though I wouldn't be anywhere near as critical of Woakes because of the situation of only five overs left as I would be of the likes of Bairstow, Brook, Ali and Livingstone. This has been a really poor batting show.
Bookies can’t separate the winning team at this stage.
Market might have moved a bit since you posted as a result of Curran getting out but there is quite a percentage difference between the two on the Betfair Exchange
England haven't been entirely convincing since September. They could have done with 2 decent warm up games out here, instead of the half a game the weather allowed
282-9 off 50. Probably 40 plus light but we won't truly know 'til NZ get to bat on this surface but there doesn't appear to be too many demons. That said, very little between them in the market:
Comments
118-4 off 21.2
I'm going for 328 off 50
188-5 off 33.2
He's a world class batsman when he bats normally.
Cut out all the bazball nonsense and stick to what he does best.
221-6 off 38.5
No need to play that shot at this stage of the game.
We needed him to bat till the end
229-7 off 41.1
England 2.52
NZ 1.65
New Zealand now favourite as far as I'm concerned
Some how, despite the incredible depth we have got we have managed to be both a batsman and a bowler light.
England 2.02
NZ 1.96