England v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Headingley, 29 May-2 Jun, 2015

So what will England be happy chasing? Anything under 250? NZ look like they're going to throw the bat a bit and hope for the best.

Back thigh, I reckon. Cracker of a delivery from Wood, though.

Speaking of Wood-10 days with the England team and he's already lost 5mph of pace from his first spell in test cricket.

PeterCS wrote:

Winkle Spinner wrote:

Brass Monkey wrote:I hope beamer doesn't mind me calling this one already, but Ballance is pretty rank in the slips.

England's slip catching has been atrocious all series.

Jimbo's not bad, but they can't afford a broken finger.

Can't we just keep Jordan around as a specialist 12th man, with the pacemen taking turns for a spell off the field?

Wow, this is pretty mental batting at the moment!

NZ making all the running. If they can set a target of 300, I think they will win.

Henry wrote:Speaking of Wood-10 days with the England team and he's already lost 5mph of pace from his first spell in test cricket.

Some were suggesting he shouldn't have played this one, given he proved his worth at Lord's, keep him fresh for the Ashes... I know there's doubts about his durability but he surely has to be able to play two back-to-back Tests. Just hope they don't play him in the JAMODIs, though no idea what our attack will look like there if Jimmy and Sturat are rested/pensioned off from white ball cricket.

Did anyone just hear Smithy (I think) in the background saying "I'd rather have a BJ than a ******"?" Couldn't quite make out the last word, anyone else?

The England #5 probably



Less effort for Smithy

Or than a Belly?

NZ forging ahead. Will have earned this win they are on course for, barring a lot of inspiration from England that has not been in evidence to date.

Half for BJ.

Typically England in the field while Cook has been captain. Unimaginative, defensive, and now, under massive pressure to salvage something out of this match. Cook as a batsman belongs in the side, but surely his captaincy shouldn't survive both a drawn series here, and the inevitable failure to win back the Ashes that will follow.

There are only two possible winners in this Test: NZ or the rain. I'll go for NZ. Moral victory goes to England

England aren't out of this yet. NZ obviously favourites but it's not inconceivable that NZ don't make 350 and whilst I wouldn't necessarily back us in a chase that big it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

vilkrang wrote:England aren't out of this yet. NZ obviously favourites but it's not inconceivable that NZ don't make 350 and whilst I wouldn't necessarily back us in a chase that big it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

I admire your optimism, but I think New Zealand already have enough. Already, this would place among our top ten in terms of highest successful chases in Test Matches. By the end of today, it will probably require an England record in terms of successful chases.

Massive favourites, don't get me wrong. Stranger things have happened on a cricket field though.

But if we aren't going to have a third slip for a new batsman then it probably is over.

vilkrang wrote:But if we aren't going to have a third slip for a new batsman then it probably is over.

That's just the problem, England are defensive all the time. There reaches a certain point where it's do or die. Wood has had two in the past few overs go at catchable height in that third slip/gully region.

They've surely got enough now, McCullum might even fancy a few overs at England's top order in the fading light...

Still time for England to get 550-600.

Nobody's ever chased 500 in the fourth innings, though... there's good reasons for that. 400 would make it a formality.

Brass Monkey wrote:There are only two possible winners in this Test: NZ or the rain.

this ^

Brass Monkey wrote:Moral victory goes to England

that v

Brass Monkey wrote:I hope beamer doesn't mind me calling this one already, but Ballance is pretty rank in the slips.

Careful ... Ballance is a protected species on here!

Just as well Chef replaced him with Root at 3rd slip to ensure Guptil went for 70 ...
55 runs after his let off from you-know-who!

Played the Kiwis.
Apart from the flurry from England's 9,10 and Jack this morning, not much to cheer.
Quietest I've ever seen Macca but a cracking knock from BJ.

An NZ 450+ lead and England are dead in the water.
All over by lunch/tea on Day 5.

PS - What's it with Headingley?
Absolutely piss poor crowd (yet again), so much so tickets for tomorrow are being flogged at £15 for adults
in a desperate measure to attract a half decent crowd!
All very well having beer snakes and fancy dress ... but it's bums on seats that matter.

Did I say anything about his catching? I'm not even saying I'm even his greatest fan as a batsman, just that he's a young player with a decent record who doesn't deserve the sort of stick you were dishing out. Same with your "one Test wonder" Stokes... We like to build them up and knock them down, but it seems like it happens in 5 minutes these days, which takes the absolute piss. It's worse than the media itself.

Oh and quit the quntish baiting of the Aussies as well, it's getting tiresome. Shame Dello/Cheesy don't seem to have a ban function on here. Bring back C4.

Banning is a bit 2006 bru.