The Lemon Fool

Nice to see test cricket once more. NZ looking to build on what was definitely their day at Lords. Conway looks sheer class and today could really punish England. A good start is vital for England.

England's bowling (from the highlights) wasn't at all bad and had little luck, especially Wood, who I suspect is the fastest in the world at this time.
Robinson looked useful but for me a bit dull - another seamer who'll struggle on foreign tracks IMO. He was the main wicket taker, which will boost his confidence.

Interesting day ahead. NZ could put the game out of reach, or with some quick wickets England could drag back the advantage.

Test now well poised. But attention sadly being redirected to tweets Robinson made when a teenager. Having seen the tweets, courtesy of the Sun, I'd forgive and move on. Who can't cringe a bit when looking back at what they said or did when that age?

Are we getting to the point where woke witch hunts are going to ruin the careers of everybody?

Strange times.

BoE

It's the Sun - what do you expect?

pje16 wrote:It's the Sun - what do you expect?

Yeah.
The Sun, Famous champion of the woke!
Or are you suggesting they might just be stoking ire and controversy?

As for stupid tweets as a teen I blame the parents
- if they react as if "it's ok he's just a teen" they're probably fuds too

-sd

Exactly
they just love hounding celebs (if you can call them that these days)

There but for the grace of God go I.

Well back to the cricket! I predicted one or the other but both happened. England broke through and Conway made 200. What a day!
Really glad to see Wood getting some justice in a performance where England dominated until the damn 10th wicket! That stand may be pivotal.

A typically awful start from England (albeit against good bowling) with Burns riding his luck and a determined effort from J Root saw England gain equality.

The weather perhaps helped England today inasmuch as they didn't have to bat in overcast conditions. It looks good for tomorrow to make batting easier and keeps this match in the balance. Good match!

I always like to see a cricketer convert a 90 into a ton and doubly so when its a maiden (trebly when its a debut?). So there I was cheering Conway on (even though I am an avid England supporter) but damn it, once he reached his ton he was supposed to do the decent thing and get out. Most usporting of him. Great knock though.

Not sure if we will see anything but a draw now but we do need to see a very solid batting display from England.

Playing the game out for a draw is hardly good for the game's image but Root's decision was understandable given the frailty of his batting line up.

Hope the Edgbaston wicket has a more even bounce than that at Lords and we see more expansive batting with a result at the end.

Given the conditions - overcast and warm I think deciding to bat first may have been a rare error. NZ got the ball to swing from the outset.
What on earth has happened to Crawley? He looked the best in the world a year ago, now he is abject at the crease.

No spinner for England again?

Leothebear wrote:Given the conditions - overcast and warm I think deciding to bat first may have been a rare error. NZ got the ball to swing from the outset.
What on earth has happened to Crawley? He looked the best in the world a year ago, now he is abject at the crease.

No spinner for England again?

Mark Wood: 57 test wickets

Joe Root: 38 test wickets

dionaeamuscipula wrote:

Leothebear wrote:Given the conditions - overcast and warm I think deciding to bat first may have been a rare error. NZ got the ball to swing from the outset.
What on earth has happened to Crawley? He looked the best in the world a year ago, now he is abject at the crease.

No spinner for England again?

Mark Wood: 57 test wickets

Joe Root: 38 test wickets

Sorry D but what has Mark Wood got to do with spin bowling?

As for the match, I think, as it stands, that NZ are simply the better team. Not for nothing are they no 2 in the world rankings.

Yes, NZ have been the better of the teams so far. They look more composed and I expect them to win this one.

But hope springs eternal.

Leothebear wrote:What on earth has happened to Crawley? He looked the best in the world a year ago, now he is abject at the crease.

He hasnt scored anything for Kent either this year. Clearly totally out of form.

And england continue to struggle at #3 since they dropped Denly who was apparently failing at #3 with an average of just under 30...

England 58-4 still 27 runs from parity. A big defeat looms. NZ definitely the better team by a distance. Well done them.

For all of NZ composure and skill (which there is plenty), England are really poor. Again.

EssDeeAitch wrote:For all of NZ composure and skill (which there is plenty), England are really poor. Again.

Well I'd forgive just one - Mark Wood. He was fast and dangerous in the NZ 1st innings (not so much in the 2nd) and scored well in both England's innings. Burns may have got his ton 1st innings but he had a lot of luck and could easily have gone cheaply.

Leothebear wrote:

dionaeamuscipula wrote:

Leothebear wrote:Given the conditions - overcast and warm I think deciding to bat first may have been a rare error. NZ got the ball to swing from the outset.
What on earth has happened to Crawley? He looked the best in the world a year ago, now he is abject at the crease.

No spinner for England again?

Mark Wood: 57 test wickets

Joe Root: 38 test wickets

Sorry D but what has Mark Wood got to do with spin bowling?

As for the match, I think, as it stands, that NZ are simply the better team. Not for nothing are they no 2 in the world rankings.

The point was that Root, as a spinner, has not that many test wickets fewer than front line bowler Mark Wood.

DM

dionaeamuscipula wrote:Mark Wood: 57 test wickets

Joe Root: 38 test wickets

...
The point was that Root, as a spinner, has not that many test wickets fewer than front line bowler Mark Wood.

DM

Wood: 57 wickets in 608 overs @33.5 average, Strike rate 61.8
Root: 38 wickets in 545 overs @44.81 average, Strike rate 86.0

Leothebear wrote:

EssDeeAitch wrote:For all of NZ composure and skill (which there is plenty), England are really poor. Again.

Well I'd forgive just one - Mark Wood. He was fast and dangerous in the NZ 1st innings (not so much in the 2nd) and scored well in both England's innings. Burns may have got his ton 1st innings but he had a lot of luck and could easily have gone cheaply.

Broad got 5 wickets in the game, out of 12 taken, at a low average. He failed twice with the bat, which he might be forgiven for, although if ever there was a time and place for him to get 159 runs in a Test innings again, this would have been it.