This was just as good a test match...
But Cricket thread always tends to get no posts here when England lose.
But Cricket thread always tends to get no posts here when England lose.
England vs New Zealand Test Series
- Thread starter Brizzle
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Hi Julian - yeah a great series and credit to both sides for serving up a test match in those conditions, it really has been terribly cold , 8c at one point. Well played the kiwis, they played exceptionally well in the second innings and their aggressive batting is a breath of fresh air. Great that the series was played hard without any sledging nonsense, credit to McCullum there.
However for all that England really need to address their catching which was the reason this match wasn't much closer. This has been costing England a lot for far too long. Cook highlighted it in his post match interviews, and they are going to work hard on their slipping. Spinner is also a problem for us with the Ashes coming up, I would rather Ali had missed this series to rediscover his length which has been very erratic since his side injury. Keeper is also a bit of a problem, shame Steven Davies has given up as he is a much better keeper than Buttler ( especially to the spinners )and is in great form averaging over 90 in the county championship atm.
However for all that England really need to address their catching which was the reason this match wasn't much closer. This has been costing England a lot for far too long. Cook highlighted it in his post match interviews, and they are going to work hard on their slipping. Spinner is also a problem for us with the Ashes coming up, I would rather Ali had missed this series to rediscover his length which has been very erratic since his side injury. Keeper is also a bit of a problem, shame Steven Davies has given up as he is a much better keeper than Buttler ( especially to the spinners )and is in great form averaging over 90 in the county championship atm.
I wasn't really disappointed that England lost at Headingley, because I thought New Zealand deserved to square the series because of their sportsmanship, good humour and their policy of aggressive batting.
That said, I thought England were a bit unlucky when the Black Caps whipped through their middle-order in their first innings. Cook and Lyth had put them in a strong position with their opening partnership, but just when the new ball was taken, the weather closed in and conditions were perfect for fast bowlers.
That said, I thought England were a bit unlucky when the Black Caps whipped through their middle-order in their first innings. Cook and Lyth had put them in a strong position with their opening partnership, but just when the new ball was taken, the weather closed in and conditions were perfect for fast bowlers.
True, but the Kiwis still had to capitalise on them. Fair play to them for doing that.
Didn't Frank Bough say that once?
I usually skip watching ODI's but the highlights are on later. Think it might be worth a look 😀
Blimey that was great, still worried about the bowling although Rashid did bowl well. Root is looking the real deal, why they want to encumber him with the future captaincy I really don't know. Just let him be while he is in this form. The pitch and the stupid fielding restrictions were flattering but a 200 run win is amazing.
Amen to that. Decent enough player but not up to the standard England need, IMHO of course.
Yep couldn't agree more. His figures are shite. To be fair he's injured and off the field with a side strain or something so he won't complete his 10. I know this particular quality isn't usually revered as I believe it should be but isn't he known as the best fielder in the side? I'm not saying that warrants his inclusion in the team mind.
As an aside - I rather like listening to the third umpire go through the different facets of the review. This is a new thing for cricket right?
First time I have heard it @Red Astaire
Yeah, same here. Definitely agree it's a good thing. It already works really well in rugby IMO.
Yep - It would be interesting if a PL ref was to wear a microphone so we could hear what they say to the players (and vice versa) will never happen though.
Oh bugger this would be a rubbish end to the series. I live only 25 miles from the oval (maybe a smidge more) but it's all sunshine here. Come on!
EDIT: It's best to mention I am English so when I say 'Sunshine' I mean there is no rain. Lots of cloud cover but no rain at least 😉
EDIT: It's best to mention I am English so when I say 'Sunshine' I mean there is no rain. Lots of cloud cover but no rain at least 😉
That was fucking brilliant! @gkmacca - Curious to know your thoughts on Morgan (A favourite of mine) and the upcoming ashes. That last bit probably deserves a whole new thread but humour me if you have the time.
Personally I think they look well set and an awesome Ashes awaits. The Aussies are going along nicely as well. *Excited*
Morgan is not a test batsman imho - great to see him come good after the world cup. We don't have an in form spinner for the Ashes which is a bit of a worry. The ecb want the matches to last as long as possible so it doesn't look like we will get the green tops our bowlers would benefit from. Bell is back in form scoring a century the other day, hopefully Balance will follow suit and then the batting is looking sweet. I think the Ashes will be a lot tighter than the 5-0 the media are expecting, bring it on can't wait !
I've always liked Morgan. He makes captaincy look easy and natural, unlike Cook. He's always calm and cool headed and usually doesn't wait to react but anticipates very well. And of course on form he's a terrific batsman in this form of cricket. He was handed a poisoned chalice before the World Cup and I feared he'd fade away after that but fair play to Strauss, he showed faith and it's paid off. He's just the man to lead this young positive group forwards.
And as for the Ashes, I still twitch a bit thinking of how the batsmen will react mentally to Mitchell Johnson (if he gets picked!) and the other quicks, but hopefully they'll take on this same positive attitude and attack. If they do that I'm cautiously hopeful!
Morgan is indeed a natural captain, whereas Cook's a manufactured one, whom in a way I feel a bit sorry for. It actually says something for Cook's batting ability that he's managed to amass as many runs as he has while shouldering the burden of a job to which I'm not sure he's ever been that suited.
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