New Zealand series 2026

[dazedpenguin]

Is this the start of a new era? A very wet Lord's- it had better clear up for the second day because I've got a ticket. 24/1 before rain set in.

There is at least some Essex involvement. Areeb Rashid, Daniel Gladwell and Jack Auld from the Essex academy will be the substitute fielders. Will any of them do a Don Topley (and stay inside the boundary this time)? I think Toppers was on the Lord's ground staff at the time of that catch that never was against the West Indies in 1984.

[vim]

Yes Don Topley was on the ground staff. He was there to sell scorecards.

This from Don Topley. Who has dined out on something that he did not do. For the last 40 years, far more than people who actually did something have done.

[nat]

34-4. Normal service has resumed.

[bobw]

England 100-6. Good to see that the England batsmen made full use of the six Championship matches to get the right amount of match practice in.

[dazedpenguin]

New Zealand 61/6 in reply to England's 140. What a crazy day. If this was a county match, would Lord's be due a visit from the pitch inspector?

Not that many batsmen have the excuse of being in the IPL. Just Bethell for England and Stokes has had his preparation hampered by that nasty injury. The rest have played a lot of Championship games.