NZ tour

[SirChef26]

Nathan Smith takes out Joe Root first ball. I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know where he'll be playing his cricket next summer...

[dazedpenguin]

Nathan Smith takes out Joe Root first ball. I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know where he'll be playing his cricket next summer...

Dammit. I thought he was back at Worcestershire, not heading to the Oval. A Worrall and Smith partnership is going to be far too effective.

[dazedpenguin]

Brook shows his class again and Pope should probably bat 6 and keep the gloves all series. He was set for a hundred until that amazing catch from Phillips.

I thought Bethell played well on debut in very difficult conditions.

[bwildered]

 Catches win matches, and the England innings would be over if the NZ had taken theirs. Pope was the unfortunate won, to see his shot caught by a stunning catch, but Brook must buy a lottery ticket with four drops. Bethell was on a hiding to nothing in the worse of conditions but played sensibility, but was always one delivery away from one having your name on it .
 NZ primary spinner Snater not included in squad, so was he talked into the India tour, knowing he would get a place in the side automatically.

[JasonP]

Catches win matches, and the England innings would be over if the NZ had taken theirs. Pope was the unfortunate won, to see his shot caught by a stunning catch, but Brook must buy a lottery ticket with four drops. Bethell was on a hiding to nothing in the worse of conditions but played sensibility, but was always one delivery away from one having your name on it .
 NZ primary spinner Snater not included in squad, so was he talked into the India tour, knowing he would get a place in the side automatically.

He's in the squad for the next two tests.  They just didn't plan to play a specialist spinner at this venue.  He did miss the last India Test injured as well.

[Andy]

I think we mean Santner? Even Shane Snater couldn?t sign up for a third nationality?

[bwildered]

I think we mean Santner? Even Shane Snater couldn?t sign up for a third nationality?

 All the letters are there, but necessary in the right order . Yep , Santner .

[Andy]

I think we mean Santner? Even Shane Snater couldn?t sign up for a third nationality?

 All the letters are there, but necessary in the right order . Yep , Santner .

Have Santner and Snater ever been seen on the same pitch together?

[bwildered]

 Are Atkinson and Carse now the tail ? Only Bashir now looks a tailenders.
 Will Robinson get the gloves on arrival has Pope has done a decent job, and who would be dropped for his inclusion ?
 England now in pole position after two quick important wickets by Woakes just has NZ were about to get a lead .

[dazedpenguin]

Someone pointed out that Carse has a better FC average than Bethell. I think they might stick with Pope as 'keeper for the series and give Bethell a few more games.

[nat]

Has Test cricket ever been weaker? If Bashir, Carse and Atkinson are Test match bowlers then I'm a dutchman.

[Slogger]

The difference in this match appears to be that the hosts would have trouble catching covid, let alone a cricket ball. Watching the first day or so I couldn't help wondering what Sam Cook may have done.

[Oldhasbeen]

Has Test cricket ever been weaker? If Bashir, Carse and Atkinson are Test match bowlers then I'm a dutchman.

What would you like us to call you? Johan? Ruud? Arjen?

[Oldhasbeen]

The difference in this match appears to be that the hosts would have trouble catching covid, let alone a cricket ball. Watching the first day or so I couldn't help wondering what Sam Cook may have done.

Worst fielding ever by a NZ team, by a country mile.
 Carse and Atkinson  are both good enough to bat at 8, and Woakes' pace has dropped off, so I can't see any case for preferring Woakes over Little Chef now.

[bwildered]

Took longer than expected , having to take extra half hour at lunch to knock them over.
Ten wicket haul for Carse, and more wickets in the next couple of tests would put him on the plane down under next year. Got all the credentials that England want, pace, bounce, bash a ball and stays fit.
Bethell to stay at three, could not have got better conditions to the first innings .
Same team next test . Pope to keep the gloves .