The Cricket Thread 2013

[Villan For Life]

The City End being called The Birmingham End has been mooted for a while.

Mooted and in place, it's been the Birmingham End since the 2011 season.

I thought I heard a commentator call it that but didn't know itwas its official name now. Well there you go.

I wouldn't mind ground sponsorship but the name "Edgbaston" doesn't lend itself to sponsorship in the same way that, for example, The Oval does. The Jaguar Edgbaston, for example doesn't work.

[PGW]

2nd Test now underway New Zealand winning toss and inserting England.

Both teams unchanged from last test.

England 26 / 0

[PGW]

Well well - Cook gone for 17 26/1

[PaulWinch again]

Balls need to get a big score here.

[paul_e]

Sounds like a poor shot from Cook but there doesn't seem to be much in the pitch.

[JD]

A decent solid foundation to score a massive total. Going to be a warm day tomorrow at The Basin so it would be good to bat as long as possible and then try and snare a couple of wickets before close to put some pressure on NZ.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep good day, need to up the run rate tomorrow and with the batsmen to come that'll happen.

[PaulWinch again]

Seeing Compton interviewed, he seems like a nice bloke. Good luck to him.

[PaulWinch again]

Trott gone first ball he's face, shame. Great innings, but we need to push on here.

[PGW]

Some disappointing shots from first Bell and now Root spoiling the good work of yesterday. With approx 20 minutes till lunch England added only 59 runs but lost 3 wkts (326 / 5)

[PGW]

Lunch 353 / 5
KP 68 NO
Prior 15 NO

[PGW]

In first 20 mins after lunch KP gone for 73 now Broad 6, 374/7.

[JD]

A decent solid foundation to score a massive total. Going to be a warm day tomorrow at The Basin so it would be good to bat as long as possible and then try and snare a couple of wickets before close to put some pressure on NZ.

Got this spot on, a decent total (well done Matt Prior, great innings) and three wickets. Tomorrow will be the crucial day in this test and it's Saturday so a trip to the gym to watch the first two hours and then an afternoon at home.   

[PaulWinch again]

Good day overall. Poor from middle order, but KP, Prior and Finn did well. Need to knock them over now.

[TheTimVilla]

The Aussies aren't happy with Phil Hughes! And a golden duck for Pup. I'm looking forward to the Ashes more and more.