The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

It’s obviously a pitch that has massively favoured the bowlers, but had that been the Ashes we wouldn’t have found the length and line. Robinson, and Atkinson to be fair, set the tone exceptionally well.

[PaulWinch again]

So weird that England do this thing where they bowl short as soon as anything doesn’t go to plan. The odd short ball is fine, but this is not a short ball pitch.

[Villan For Life]

Nice bit of kidology for that wicket

[paul_e]

I don't have a problem with going short to the tail, most lower order batters will loop one up in the air pretty quickly. It's when we do with an older ball to an established middle order pair that it's dumb.

Either way, really good from the bowlers, bowled well for the conditions. Hopefully the batters can dig out a little more this time because I think this pitch might get easier if we get into day 3 so we'll want a 250+ score from this innings.

[paul_e]

Almost a really good session for England but Duckett gets a little over-excited on the brink of lunch, very frustrating after a really sensible opening spell.

[manic-road]

Almost a really good session for England but Duckett gets a little over-excited on the brink of lunch, very frustrating after a really sensible opening spell.

Still a good morning though.

[Meanwood Villa]

Almost a really good session for England but Duckett gets a little over-excited on the brink of lunch, very frustrating after a really sensible opening spell.

Still a good morning though.

Agreed

[PaulWinch again]

Very solid morning.

[Beard82]

Have missed much of that - but cant complain about that.

[paul_e]

Oh it's still been the first session where the batters have won, I just think Duckett had done the hard part and just need to be sensible through to lunch.

We do need to kick on and get a good score here now though, with Henry looking unfit we have a chance to put some real pressure on them here.

[PaulWinch again]

Even though it’s early in the game, given the way it’s gone it’s at the stage where a good session from England probably means they’re 90% certain to win the game.

[Meanwood Villa]

Sounds very lucky in that first over. NZ review the wrong LBW.

[PaulWinch again]

I remember when England toured NZ thinking O’Rourke looked great. He’s a serious handful.

And on cue, Bethell dropped off him.

[paul_e]

We're getting away with it a little right now. Haven't really settled since lunch.

[paul_e]

ok, ignore me about this maybe playing better going forward, the pitch is a potato field on the evidence of that wicket, completely unplayable if a ball just doesn't bounce like that.