New Zealand Tests

[Oldhasbeen]

NZ declare on 427.

Obviously a terrible batting wicket

[bwildered]

Can we survive the final day ?
Final over of the fourth day could have been a game changer with Root's dismissal .

[Oldhasbeen]

God it's hard work watching England sometimes.

I thought Stoneman could go all the way to a ton ... then he can't stop hooking  ... very frustrating. 8 tests , averaging around 30, not as bad as some post-Strauss openers but hardly setting the Thames on file

Then the last-over dismissal. Aaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!

On the positive side, good to see our man Waggers bowling with some real fire and a games plan. Shame it worked!

[Heisenberg]

Anyone starting to now worry about Cook ? Are we seeing a decline in one of our all time greats ?

[LeedsExile]

I think the decline set in some time ago as regards International cricket. He has had a couple of centuries but mainly very low scores for over 12 months. The poor form of his opening partners has meant there has been less attention on his failings but I suspect if he fails in the second innings the discussion about his future will gain impetus.

[bwildered]

Nobody in the top order has had a run of good scores , except Bairstow . Unfortunately those put in the side have faired no better over the last couple seasons, including the selected openers .
Has AB once said, you know what to do but your reactions are not fast enough ..

[Andy]

Anyone starting to now worry about Cook ? Are we seeing a decline in one of our all time greats ?

Yep. Back to shooting innocent animals for Chef. I guess one long winter too many.

Still, he's had a long career and doesn't need the hassles - sort of the mirror image of Gooch's career: the latter promised much but took years to realise his potential after stop-start career with the occasional wonderful performance, the other's career took off very quickly, with the odd fallow period, but has become generally underwhelming with the occasional wonderful performance.

Neither scratched balls or indulged in 'mental disintegration'.  Both took on the best bowling attacks in their respective eras.

I am very happy to have seen both perform for my club and country. Shows the value of the 'lesser' counties to the national game.

[nat]

Now now Essex is not a lesser county as has been discussed on here many times. That northern air you breathe must have frazzled your grey matter.

[Oldhasbeen]

I think the decline set in some time ago as regards International cricket. He has had a couple of centuries but mainly very low scores for over 12 months. The poor form of his opening partners has meant there has been less attention on his failings but I suspect if he fails in the second innings the discussion about his future will gain impetus.

It's very noticeable that Ally's often been out to  poor shots, rather than particularly dangerous balls, this winter.
IMHO we's hanging on there mainly because the alternatives are so uninspiring - Stoneman hanging on in there with a sub-30 average is another symptom of the same.

[Oldhasbeen]

The end of this tour may be bye-bye Ally, at least for a while, but surely Vince has got be shown the door for good, he has some lovely shots but he just ain't got it between the ears.

Don't rule out Tom being given another crack, although I think he's more likely to make it as a number 5 than a number 3 at Test level.

[Andy]

Now now Essex is not a lesser county as has been discussed on here many times. That northern air you breathe must have frazzled your grey matter.

Indeed, that happened years ago.  However, you do understand why I used quotation marks around the word lesser.

[Suffolk Richard]

I'd like to see Cook drop down to 3 and try a fresh opening partnership before leaving him out altogether. Lots of competition for opening positions, hardly any quality at number 3 on circuit. New opening partnership, top class batsmen at 3 and 4 would strengthen the top order and fleshing things up I think.

[IlfordEagle]

Having an opener at no 3 isn't the worst idea as wickets often fall early , especially for Eng & Essex, they also know how to see off the new ball, unfortunately if the opener at no 3 isn't a stroke player or fast scorer it may slow down the tempo, saying that Jonathan Trott performed capably & consistently for Eng  & boy do we miss him now!!

[bwildered]

And to a lesser extent Compton more recently. Remember several seasons ago Cook had not scored a test hundred for almost a calendar year and everyone called for his departure, but on review of his scores many in the 50-99. This is not the case at the present time but two daddy hundreds and his experience has kept his place .

[squarelegumpire]

And to a lesser extent Compton more recently. Remember several seasons ago Cook had not scored a test hundred for almost a calendar year and everyone called for his departure, but on review of his scores many in the 50-99. This is not the case at the present time but two daddy hundreds and his experience has kept his place .

Beginninmg to think we might see a lot more of him at Chelmsford this season, though.