Foakes, Bairstow and Buttler all keepers of international class who have scored Test match 100's yet we are going into a test match with a keeper that hat has never taken a first class stumping. Not a brilliant piece of planning by England management I suggest. Good job the pitch is unlikely to turn.
Crawley in for Buttler makes sense and i would probably drop either Broad or Curran playing Woakes instead. Leach might at least offer some semblance of control .... did I really say that!
Do not understand the decision not to take a reserve keeper, especially as we have plenty of quality options who could also probably play as batsmen if needed.
I don’t get why Foakes isn’t there.
I don’t get why Foakes isn’t there.
As he is clearly our best keeper/batsman it must be something else.
May I suggest his teeth are so white that they dazzle our fielders.
It can't be for normal cricketing reasons.
To be fair I get picking Buttler (or Bairstow) ahead of Foakes on batting ability or potential. What I haven’t understood is why neither Foakes or Bairstow are in the original touring party.
If the aim of this series was to blood some of those fringe players or get them used to touring then Foakes was an ideal pick. One for the future. If they are planning for the future and to win the Ashes down under it’s not an auspicious start.
5 seamers. It might work here I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s a long term solution away from home.
Also it’s bonkers that Pope has to take the gloves. He needs to make his way with the bat, having the gloves doesn’t help that. We might win, but it’s a nuts selection.
Brave call to bowl first here. Really need 3/4 wickets in the first session.
Very early, but looking an ace toss to lose for NZ.
Flat pitch, ordinary bowling (Archer with yet another spell in second gear. What’s the point?) one wicket, donated by a rotten shot.
I’m off to bed in the hope I reverse jinx things and Woakes rips them apart.
Flat pitch, ordinary bowling (Archer with yet another spell in second gear. What’s the point?) one wicket, donated by a rotten shot.
I’m off to bed in the hope I reverse jinx things and Woakes rips them apart.
Within minutes Woakesy produced a beautiful ball to get Williamson, a great catch from Root too.
Flat pitch, ordinary bowling (Archer with yet another spell in second gear. What’s the point?) one wicket, donated by a rotten shot.
I’m off to bed in the hope I reverse jinx things and Woakes rips them apart.
You need to go to bed again and again tonight.
Well that went well didn't it. Root really is a complete disaster as skipper.
Not looking good. What is going on with Jof?
Not looking good. What is going on with Jof?
He's caught the Broad (and Anderson) bug. If there's no help in the pitch then the bowling unit collectively gives up.