NZ 2023

[bwildered]

 Only a two match series, but you could not keep your eyes away, top rank entertainment .
 A thumping win and a one run defeat, after asking NZ to follow on, left the series level, could not be scripted, and those who did not see the second test run chase, it was not a total gun ho effort, but some bad shots and the NZ’s resorting to the short stuff against the tail.
 The second test should have been a tie, with the ball before Burnley Lara’s dismissal being a wide, a delivery the umpires were giving in the final run in.
  Brook has cemented a middle order place, Crawley still cannot play the new ball, should we still be playing Anderson and Broad in the same side ?  Big concerns  on Stokes knee being fit for the forthcoming Ashes series though .
 And losing after enforcing  follow on, it happened to the Aussies in India several years ago (under Steve Waugh ?), will be listed now with the other four, might have lost the test but still did not lose the series.
It did result to the Aussies very rarely enforcing the follow on again.
 Captains are remembered by such decisions, especially if it results to the incorrect result staining their reigns, but in Stokes case, having posted Test cricket into the Bazball era, it will be just another day at the office ( or pitch ) .
 

[Andy]

I don’t get the criticism in the media (by keyboard warriors on HYS platforms) saying that we shouldn’t have enforced the follow on. Given that we had bowled them out early in the day and that the weather had taken large chunks out of the match already, which meant our bowlers got a rest and also that the Kiwis had more chance to bat out the fourth innings.  Admittedly not having a fit Stokes wasn’t helpful, but this run chase nearly worked and probably would have done if Root hadn’t run out Brook.  We know the top three are still not settled, which didn’t help us in this Test. It was Brook and Root who put us in a winning position and Jimmy’s usual consistency.

[dazedpenguin]

Such an entertaining test match and well done to New Zealand for the fight back. I think Stokes was right to enforce the follow on and it so nearly worked. A fit Stokes taking some key wickets might have made the difference, as would Brook not being run out, but if you play aggressive cricket to make a result possible then you're going to lose some eventually. This shows why test cricket is the ultimate format. I prefer this to a boring draw or the old style England soul crushing defeat.

If Stokes can't bowl then that does disrupt the balance of the attack. He apparently needs an operation so it will be interesting to see if he still goes to the IPL.

That penultamite ball should have been a wide though 

[JasonP]

The fact is England lost a Test when they scored 430 and had the opposition 97-7 in reply.  Whatever style of cricket you're playing, to lose from that position against a New Zealand side on the decline is embarrassingly poor.

[bwildered]

  One point, tea was put back, and four addition overs were to be bowled. Was this enforced by the umpires or does it have to be agreed by the captains. A moot point but continuing to play only helped the fielding side and the bowlers rhythm. A wide or half volley straight after tea might have changed the outcome.
 Actually the commentary was interesting, at no point was a tie discussed until right near the very end.  The previous over Leach played out a maiden to Southee leaving Anderson to face Wagner. Given that Leach had spent time at the crease, he should had tried to pick off a run, like Foakes was doing, to gain strike . Leaving the Burnley Lara to face a fired up Wagner was not the best situation , so it proved .

[Andy]

The fact is England lost a Test when they scored 430 and had the opposition 97-7 in reply.  Whatever style of cricket you're playing, to lose from that position against a New Zealand side on the decline is embarrassingly poor.

For the kiwis to be rolled over in the first test against a side with a dodgy top 3, a non spinning spinner and a new ball attack nearly as old as the Close/Edrich partnership of 1976 was almost as bad.