The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

Anderson is bowling dross at the moment.

[JD]

Looks like the ECB still haven't learned how to balance the tough International schedule with giving players time off, we look horribly unprepared and have done now in the first Test in three overseas series in a row.

There's just too much cricket. At one time they'd have a few weeks acclimatisation before an overseas series, now they're just on the go all the time and the first test acts as a warm up game.

You don't need to acclimatise for New Zealand Chris, pretty similar conditions to UK (especially in Dunners). The biggest problem I think is that England may have thought NZ would roll over, but unfortunately/fortunately (depends the side of the fence) NZ have picked a young and inexperienced team who are up for it as it may mean they can get an international professional contract out of it (most county cricketers over here earn less than $50K a season so it's not a full time job).
NZ have struggled for years but have some very decent young players. England just need to start to take them a bit more seriously.   

[peter w]

Whilst you have a point JD I think you can also hold the tour schedulers to task for arranging one warm up game ahead of the test series. I don't think this is because we're playing New Zealand as we've  appeared to be  undercooked for the first test of overseas games for a while now.

[paul_e]

it's as if the test match lurches up on them sooner than expected.  If it was a once off it'd be ok but 3 in a row of looking really poor and it's something that needs to be addressed.  We can still come away from this with a draw though, just need to be sensible.

[PaulWinch again]

I think it's going to need more than being sensible. The deficit and time left in the game means they can just attack and we're going to have to bat incredibly well to save the game.

[paul_e]

Supposed to be quite cloudy so I doubt there's 2 full days to go.  Will lose a bit of the morning tomorrow so you'd really be looking at being sensible and staying in, the aim has to be the draw now.

[PaulWinch again]

Mccullum on the move, this could be brutal.

[PGW]

McCullum gone - thank f--k!
447/8

[PGW]

460/9 declared

[olaftab]

460/9 declared

Bugger! I had a bet on NZ getting over 475.5 with Paddypower. Not sure if they will refund my stake?

[PaulWinch again]

Trent Boult looks like Stewart Downing, it's quite annoying. He's also bowling well.

[PGW]

Drinks break - chance free so far - 29/0

[PaulWinch again]

Boult looks a good bowler to me.

[PGW]

Lunch 58/0  235 in arrears - satisfactory start

[PaulWinch again]

Good so far, need a lot more of that.