Noooooooooooooooooo

[kriss]

.
Hi ernest - Only some early wickets will restore my faith. Otherwise it looks like a tough day.

[Whips_off_the_bails]

Simon Jones gets McCullum, caught behind by Geraint Jones!

Very good bowling in the past few overs by both Jones and (gasp!) Ashley Giles, who was unlucky that the umpire didn't spot that McCullum gloved one in the previous over.

[R W S]

. . . Richardson hadn't been given out erroneously in the first innings or McCullum was given out


6th over: New Zealand 14 - 1
Brendan McCullum has come in at number three, as Nathan Astle is in bed with flu. At least, he ought to be in bed. Lord knows I would be. Richardson picks off three runs to backward point, then McCullum gets away with an lbw shout, then a huge appeal, as he appeared to glove an 89mph delivery through to Geraint Jones.

correctly early in his second innings . . . .

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by kriss

.
Hi ernest - Only some early wickets will restore my faith. Otherwise it looks like a tough day.

Afternoon kriss

Even at the moment,good morning for England,could have been better McCullum.

Ernest

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Mike_Hock

Giles is playing ahead of Collingwood/Anderson. Strauss will open with Trescothick (only change from last side). Go on Gilo, make me eat my words! (Bet he doesn't)

I almost forgot....feeling hungry Mike?!Lol!!!

[Goatman]

Missed Sundays play (playing again. Lost again.....), but the dear old Beeb tells me that SP Jones was the pick of the bowlers. Must have had a bout of the Freddie's if he was, with only one wicket! How did he look? Fast? Controlled? Penetrative? Aggressive?

I saw Mr. Piles got 3. Bit of a turnup that one. Still, if it helps his confidence that can only be for the good - I am getting rather tired of seeing him slouch away stoop shouldered everytime a batsman tries to get after him. No bloody use at all.....

Freddie opening? Maybe the right choice on the day, but he doesn't strike me as a good choice as oepning bowler, as he doesn't take wickets. Lets hope Hoggard/Jones can get things sorted and push him back to 4th seamer where he should be.

From a Goats eye view, the last day looks fantastically poised:- either could win, and a draw most unlikely without rain. Its a last day pitch, but the NZ bowlers looked to have the penetration of Kampong 3rds in the first innings:- most of the top order wickets were batsmen errors rather than "proper" wickets. Strauss, Tresco, Thorpe and Hussian should all be cussing themselves. For your enjoyment and enlightenment I show the predictions of the Goat clan below:-

Goatman:- ENG to win by 3 wickets, with Trescothick ("deepest sigh"), Butcher and Flintoff in the runs.

Goatman senior:- NZ to win, with Vettori doing the damage.

"Pilsbury" Goatsworth (my brother):- ENG to win with Strauss making history with a second ton. This is the man who, until very recently, called Harmison "that useless lanky geordie git" though, so I wouldn't take that as gospel

Mrs Goat:- ENG to win with Nasser proving why he can't be dropped. Cheese and tomato sandwiches for lunch.

Goatman junior:- eeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhh, dadadadadada, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! I assumed this meant that he thought ENG would win, and that he needed a nappy change.

[Mike_Hock]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

I almost forgot....feeling hungry Mike?!Lol!!!

He didn't bowl too bad did he? Well done Gilo. What was that celebration about though??? Trouble is, if Gilo caused problems Vettori will cause more for England. Plus the pitch is a day older.

Its gonna be a tough ask but I think we can do it.

I'm in work today and relying on cricinfo to keep me informed.

COME ON THE BOYS!!!