FIRST TEST: England v NZ

[Mr Redknapp]

The main spinner is a problem.

 

[Andy Reids Love Chil]

Big question for me - has Mark Wood done enough to get rid of Chris Jordan? I say yes. Sol Campbell says no.

Absobloodyloutley

 

[Steak Pie]

If you are confident he would have forced the issue and set up the win, then that's all we can ask.

Dunno. They came out with intent to get on with it this morning and I reckon we'd have been off well before lunch, but we'll never know.

It's dead set now, Cook is bland and defensive and that perception will never change. Doesn't matter what actually happens on the pitch, as the criticism of the timing of a declaration that never happened shows.

 

[dangermows]

Very good win against a very good side. Not a fan of Cook's captaincy but he got the dec spot on.

 

[Arkle]

Glad to see that David Boon has lost weight since he stopped playing!

 

[ProfessionalMackem]

moeen ali what's the point in him?

I like him. Bats bowls and can obviously field.

Isn't there a daft stat in that we have won the majority of tests when he's played?

 

[dangermows]

The main spinner is a problem.

Yep. Huge void at the mo. thankfully not many sides have a great spin option at present.

 

[Steak Pie]

And also, when its good, lets not pretend its great.

He managed that attack excellently today, creative fields, key bowling changes, everything.

Credit where it's due.

 

[ollie c]

Dunno. They came out with intent to get on with it this morning and I reckon we'd have been off well before lunch, but we'll never know.

It's dead set now, Cook is bland and defensive and that perception will never change. Doesn't matter what actually happens on the pitch, as the criticism of the timing of a declaration that never happened shows.

Not from me. I say what I see. If he is good, call it good.

My opinion is that being bowled out set up the game. I enjoyed the England victory and thoroughly enjoyed the match.

 

[Arkle]

Yep. Huge void at the mo. thankfully not many sides have a great spin option at present.

Not as much of an issue at home but against Pakistan in UAE in the winter it could be important.

 

[dangermows]

He managed that attack excellently today, creative fields, key bowling changes, everything.

Credit where it's due.

Today he was good. However a test match isn't a one day match. It was an improvement, nothing more IMO

 

[CraigyLee]

I like him. Bats bowls and can obviously field.

Isn't there a daft stat in that we have won the majority of tests when he's played?

i haven't seen much of him tbf didn't watch much of the India series , but his bowling has been poor here and in the West Indies

 

[dangermows]

Not as much of an issue at home but against Pakistan in UAE in the winter it could be important.

On the flip side those surfaces will help our spinners a bit.

 

[ProfessionalMackem]

I'd still drop Ali if there was a chance of KP playing. It's obvious he's not trusted as a frontline spinner and I don't think he's good enough to be a frontline spinner.

Fair play to Cook, an edgy first innings but then a cracking knock. Also every decision he made in the last session today, came off. Luck is a part of test cricket.

Stokes has to be man of the match. Both with bat and ball, he's taken the game away from NZ. Let's not build him up too quick but his performance was Botham esque, in parts this test.

Wood should keep his place throughout the summer. Much like Simon Jones, he's something different to take the pressure off.

Had a cracking 3 and a half days here at HQ. Onwards and upwards to Dirty Leeds.

See post above.

Nah mate I disagree. No where near getting dropped for me.

 

[Aleem Dar]

@stephen cartwright v @Aleem Dar all Summer? Sort it out ffs

Grew tired of his petulance. He's on ignore. It's a first for me.

 

[dangermows]

i haven't seen much of him tbf didn't watch much of the India series , but his bowling has been poor here and in the West Indies

Started off really well.

 

[Andy Reids Love Chil]

The stats may back Ali but it's obvious Cook doesn't trust him. There's no obvious frontline spinner out there, why not use GoldenArm Root and add another player to the attack one way or another?

 

[CraigyLee]

@stephen cartwright v @Aleem Dar all Summer? Sort it out ffs

Cartys lost the plot and quit the board

 

[Arkle]

Mr Nick Birdshit?

 

[smoker]

I still reckon he wouldn't have declared soon enough and we got lucky in being knocked over.

They were swinging the bat. Looked like 350 was the target to me.