1st Test, Lord's : England beat New Zealand by 124 runs

[Markhor]

Today's theme - Batsman gets away with an inside/outside edge - Cook holds head in hands - Repeat.

 

[Space Cat]

It would seem its not so easy out there to bat as it was yesterday and the better part of day 1. Even a lead of 100 could be quite valuable here

 

[Markhor]

It would seem its not so easy out there to bat as it was yesterday and the better part of day 1. Even a lead of 100 could be quite valuable here

The ball is nipping around nicely, if England are to win they've got to bowl NZ out sharpish otherwise a lead of 100+ in these conditions would be too difficult IMO.

 

[Junaids]

Ha ha, you can tell that Athers and I went to the same school.

He's just made the comment about Wood "to make it as a short, skiddy fast bowler you have to be exceptional".

Must be something Mr Moss taught us thirty years ago!

 

[Markhor]

Ha ha, you can tell that Athers and I went to the same school.

He's just made the comment about Wood "to make it as a short, skiddy fast bowler you have to be exceptional".

Must be something Mr Moss taught us thirty years ago!

I was just about to mention it. I knew Junaids would feel a huge sense of vindication

 

[Space Cat]

Suprised Anderson has been largely missing today. Their has been plenty around for the bowlers.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

On the McCullum dismissal.

I'm one the ones who who criticized him for his approach in the WC final, but here I think it was justified.

Openers had set a great platform, worst case scenario he gets out early and NZ are 50 behind with 5 wickets left. Still a dominant position. Best case scenario he blasts a 100 and by the end of the day NZ are 150 ahead with 3/4 wickets left.

Risk - reward, and it was worth the risk. A quickfire 42 got NZ a lead anyway, so I dont see an issue, especially when rain is a factor and NZ will need a day or 2 to bowl Eng out on what is at times a flattish surface

 

[desi_launda]

Out...couldn't get to the next gear

 

[Markhor]

Moeen does the trick. Williamson finally departs, England now need to wipe this tail up quickly.

 

[Markhor]

Moeen is doing the trick ! One LBW appeal after another, first one not given, second one is out.

 

[Adeel Naseem]

Moeen Amla on fire

 

[Space Cat]

Southee, Henry and Boult all hit the ball a long way. Dangerous tail if England are not careful.

 

[Adeel Naseem]

Moeen Given bowling too late today

 

[Robert]

Suddenly Moeen has the best figures! Fear the Beard....

Williamson looks excellent, I must say. Great footwork and a simple method with tons of time to play the ball.

 

[Saqs]

Suddenly Moeen has the best figures! Fear the Beard....

Williamson looks excellent, I must say. Great footwork and a simple method with tons of time to play the ball.

Reminds me a bit if Vaughan at times.

 

[shaz619]

Suddenly Moeen has the best figures! Fear the Beard....

Williamson looks excellent, I must say. Great footwork and a simple method with tons of time to play the ball.

what on earth is going on ) Am speechless

Mo is turning into a bit of an enigma

 

[Space Cat]

Southee will go after Ali here.

He hits spin well but will struggle more against the seamers.

 

[shaz619]

Come on Jimmy, put the last three jobbers out of their misery

 

[leatherface58]

Watling auditioning for the replacement keeper slot for the ODIs.

 

[Space Cat]

Watling has to be one of the best keeper batsman in the world at the moment.

Always scores important runs for the team.

 

[Space Cat]

Lol that was dreadful even by Southees standards.

 

[Space Cat]

Matt Henry can bat a bit. Gives the ball a whack like Southee.

 

[Space Cat]

Extras up to 67 now.

Buttler has had a shocker.

 

[leatherface58]

67 extras lol.
Buttler losing it

 

[Robert]

67 extras lol.
Buttler losing it

He never had it. He's not up to spec as a test keeper.

 

[Space Cat]

Thats hit the ground.

 

[Space Cat]

Benefit of the doubt to the batsman surely.

 

[leatherface58]

He never had it. He's not up to spec as a test keeper.

He will be in trouble on the dustbowls of India

 

[Space Cat]

Not sure what Joe Root is sulking about.

 

[Juansar_07]

Williamson Wicket - Moeen.Sensible innings as usual.

Spoiler

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Will we still get two hours of play after tea?

 

[shaz619]

Not sure what Joe Root is sulking about.

Disappointed in the heat of the moment, after seeing the replay he'll come to accept the decision

 

[leatherface58]

Bhai annoys me for some reason. No I'm not against his beard because I'm a fan of Amla, Inzi and even Saeed Anwar. But there is something fake about this guy. Can't quite place it.

 

[shaz619]

He never had it. He's not up to spec as a test keeper.

He's still young, inexperienced and learning. One day he will develop into a test quality keeper hopefully; for now his batting remains his biggest strength

 

[Juansar_07]

Craig LBW - Moeen bhai again.

Spoiler

 

[shaz619]

Bhai annoys me for some reason. No I'm not against his beard because I'm a fan of Amla, Inzi and even Saeed Anwar. But there is something fake about this guy. Can't quite place it.

He's a good lad if your questioning his character, I've met him a few times at club games.

 

[shaz619]

Moeen has maintained his average below 30 ) bowling and batting

 

[honeybadger]

Bhai annoys me for some reason. No I'm not against his beard because I'm a fan of Amla, Inzi and even Saeed Anwar. But there is something fake about this guy. Can't quite place it.

Is it the appeal? To a cricket noob it may look as if he is about to pop the question to the umpire. There are few occasions when going down on one knee is acceptable.

 

[Juansar_07]

Southee Wicket - Anderson.

Spoiler

 

[leatherface58]

He's a good lad if your questioning his character, I've met him a few times at club games.

I don't question his character. He might be genuinely decent and I wish him well but he annoys me for some reason. There are some folks like that for people I guess.

 

[honeybadger]

Poor Stokes. It doesn't matter if he bowls incredible or just filth, his stats always remain crap.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

They need to get around a lead of 150 here.

 

[Adil_94]

Bhai annoys me for some reason. No I'm not against his beard because I'm a fan of Amla, Inzi and even Saeed Anwar. But there is something fake about this guy. Can't quite place it.

Is it because his bowling seems crap and you feel like he should get smashed like a club bowler but he keeps taking wickets.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Is it because his bowling seems crap and you feel like he should get smashed like a club bowler but he keeps taking wickets.

Yeah seems like an innocent dibbly dobbler but somehow keeps getting wickets. Should be smashed senseless IMO.

 

[Space Cat]

Trent Boult. Probably the best number 11 batsman going around.

 

[The_KING]

Does Bhai have any variation in his bowling?

 

[Sidilicious]

How did bhai end up taking 3 wickets? NZ doing an India!

 

[Adil_94]

Yeah seems like an innocent dibbly dobbler but somehow keeps getting wickets. Should be smashed senseless IMO.

When i see him i just feel like his bowling is just average. But he keeps getting big wickets. Hes one of those bowlers you feel you could smack a few off yourself.

 

[honeybadger]

Is it because his bowling seems crap and you feel like he should get smashed like a club bowler but he keeps taking wickets.

He is righty Ravindra Jadeja.

 

[Adil_94]

He is righty Ravindra Jadeja.

Yeah god Jadeja just bowls flat darts yet in LOIS he is so damn effective. Its annoying when he isnt even that skilfull. At least in Tests he is put in his place well outside India at least.

 

[honeybadger]

Does Bhai have any variation in his bowling?

He bowls a normal off break that doesn't spin and a quicker one that doesn't spin.

 

[leatherface58]

Is it because his bowling seems crap and you feel like he should get smashed like a club bowler but he keeps taking wickets.

Probably closest to the reason I suppose.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

When i see him i just feel like his bowling is just average. But he keeps getting big wickets. Hes one of those bowlers you feel you could smack a few off yourself.

Yeah. Exactly. Maybe there's something about the beard after all

 

[Adil_94]

Bhais beard must mesmerise the opposition bats so much they lose focus on the ball thats why he keeps getting wickets. Think about it theres been plenty of bearded Batsman but very few Bearded bowlers.

 

[honeybadger]

 

[Space Cat]

Should be an interesting period of play here. Seems to be a bit in it for the bowlers.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

And Broad ends up with the best figures in the match.

 

[honeybadger]

523 all out, 134 runs lead, Bhai, Wood, Broad have 3 each.

 

[Zero]

Huge fan of Watling, a clutch player and more often than not is the last man standing.

 

[Smbhayi]

Sehwag is no legend. He averaged 29 in the Third Innings and 31 in the Fourth Innings. He was a waste of space for half of every Test match.

He was a brilliant slogger when the pitch was at its truest on Days 1 and 2, when his flawed technique could often be concealed by his terrific hand-eye coordination.

I was probably a bit harsh - McCullum and Sehwag have both put together several innings over 200 balls, although Sehwag mainly did so in Asia's easier batting conditions, which is why he has a better overall average. They are quite similar.

lol at easier condition, then why non asian team regularly fails in Asia. .

 

[The_KING]

He bowls a normal off break that doesn't spin and a quicker one that doesn't spin.

I'm surprised that he picks up wickets. To me he is a part time bowler at best.

 

[honeybadger]

And Broad ends up with the best figures in the match.

To be fair he bowled well.

 

[shaz619]

To be fair he bowled well.

Was very impressed by wood to, could have had a 5fer. Used the crease quiet well and hit the deck hard, enjoys bowling quick.

 

[shaz619]

Does Bhai have any variation in his bowling?

He relies on natural variation

 

[Chrish]

lol at easier condition, then why non asian team regularly fails in Asia. .

Australia wouldn't be beyond pathetic in Asian conditions if it was that easy..

 

[Space Cat]

Boult still mad about his bad balls even after taking the wicket.

Dangerous period for england here.

 

[Space Cat]

I have a feeling NZ have Ballance sorted out.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I have a feeling NZ have Ballance sorted out.

More like Boult has ballance sorted out.

 

[leatherface58]

I have a feeling NZ have Ballance sorted out.

Such an unattractive batsman. Makes batting look like capital punishment.

 

[honeybadger]

Gary Ballance used a New Balance bat. I bet it was much funnier in his head.

 

[Space Cat]

Ballance looks just awful.

Great nut though.

 

[honeybadger]

Tailunt gone

 

[Space Cat]

Ballance will get found out by quality bowlers time and time again with that technique.

 

[Acricketfan]

Such an unattractive batsman. Makes batting look like capital punishment.

99% of batsmen playing for England do.

 

[Space Cat]

Southee set him up nicely with those 3 inwingers.

 

[Space Cat]

Few nervous shots by Ian Bell so far.

 

[shaz619]

 

[Slog]

Lol Imagine Hafeez batting right now with the Swing and movement off the pitch Southee is getting

as [MENTION=134809]sensible-indian-fan[/MENTION] said. A mouse has a better chance of escaping from 50 hungry cats or something along those line

 

[Bilal7]

England will be grateful for their eight batsmen right now. Need to find one world-class bowler quickly though.

 

[honeybadger]

Lol Imagine Hafeez batting right now with the Swing and movement off the pitch Southee is getting

as [MENTION=134809]sensible-indian-fan[/MENTION] said. A mouse has a better chance of escaping from 50 hungry cats or something along those line

Hard to do worse than Gary Imbalance.