Excellent Test Match

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

It was a strange day, Scott - things seemed to drift along with not much happening, and then there would be a flurry of excitment then back to the drifting along!! Still, inspite of a couple of hick-up's England would be pretty pleased with how it went.

Kirsty

Not sure I fully agree, whilst I havent seen the days play, I obviously know the outcome of the days play. From what I can tell, they again let them get 50 odd runs too many, and think as you say Tresco should have been more aggressive.

I saw Hoggy bowling the opening overs this morning before I left - why? why why why? The balls not swinging! For goodness sake get your better bowlers on - Freddy, Jones or Harmy and apply some bloody pressure! By bowling Hoggy - they basically said - here you go guys help yourself, bat your self in this morning and fill your boots! wtf!?! Is it any surprise they did? Most of the damage was done in this mornings session - by McCullum and Richardson, they simply didn't apply the pressure and Tresco wasn't aggressive enough.

I can't agree with you when you say England must be pretty pleased, they've got a massive total to get - on a pitch deteriorating and turning. England can only lose this match and NZ can win it, I can't see England winning it, short of some superb ODI style batting.

Now's the time if Tresco wants to win it - to make some changes to the batting order. Jones and Freddy need to move up the order and Hussain and Thorpe down the order. To win I'd change the batting order to Tresco, Strauss, Butcher, Flintoff, G Jones, Thorpe, Hussain, Giles, Jones, Hoggard, Harmison. To draw it - play the current batting line up.

Which will they do? Gamble and try to win but risk losing it, or play safe, dig in and play for a draw?

Scott

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Kirsty

Not sure I fully agree, whilst I havent seen the days play, I obviously know the outcome of the days play. From what I can tell, they again let them get 50 odd runs too many, and think as you say Tresco should have been more aggressive.

I saw Hoggy bowling the opening overs this morning before I left - why? why why why? The balls not swinging! For goodness sake get your better bowlers on - Freddy, Jones or Harmy and apply some bloody pressure! By bowling Hoggy - they basically said - here you go guys help yourself, bat your self in this morning and fill your boots! wtf!?! Is it any surprise they did? Most of the damage was done in this mornings session - by McCullum and Richardson, they simply didn't apply the pressure and Tresco wasn't aggressive enough.

I can't agree with you when you say England must be pretty pleased, they've got a massive total to get - on a pitch deteriorating and turning. England can only lose this match and NZ can win it, I can't see England winning it, short of some superb ODI style batting.

Now's the time if Tresco wants to win it - to make some changes to the batting order. Jones and Freddy need to move up the order and Hussain and Thorpe down the order. To win I'd change the batting order to Tresco, Strauss, Butcher, Flintoff, G Jones, Thorpe, Hussain, Giles, Jones, Hoggard, Harmison. To draw it - play the current batting line up.

Which will they do? Gamble and try to win but risk losing it, or play safe, dig in and play for a draw?

Scott

I think England would have settled for it at the start of the day, given the situation then. However, yes it would have been better with 50 runs less to chase. Being honest, as much as Tres was very negative, which didn't help, you have to say that those drops by Jones could easily = 50 runs.

Re: Hoggard - it was very strange!! And then, Harmy and Jones couldn't quite get the last wicket and Tres just let it go on and on...then Freddie snapped it up straight away. I was saying 'bring freddie on' for 20 minutes!!! A bit more aggression would have been good!!

I think England will give it a good old go tomorrow...if they get off to a decent start. If we lose wickets early, then we will have to fight for a draw. At the start of today, indeed at tea today, any chance of an England win looked highly unlikely, now they have a chance. If they want to win they should alter the batting line up - drop Thorpe and Hussain down and bring up Flintoff and G Jones..then should we lose wickets, it's down to the old gaurd to save the day!!

Will be a cracking day!!

[Tom Partis]

that's an interesting concept Kirsty - i'd like to see jones and flintoff at 4 and 5 - would make the run chase more interesting rather than a grind and give Jones a chance to redeem himself.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Tom Partis

that's an interesting concept Kirsty - i'd like to see jones and flintoff at 4 and 5 - would make the run chase more interesting rather than a grind and give Jones a chance to redeem himself.

I'd love to see it happen - fingers crossed!

And to give Scott his dues, it was him who suggested it first!!!

[Tom Partis]

i don't think it's too likely to happen. i'm just eager to see flintoff and jones bat with each other again. that hour after lunch on saturday was breathtaking. some of the shots they played were just outrageous. even boycott was purring with excitement.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Tom Partis

i don't think it's too likely to happen. i'm just eager to see flintoff and jones bat with each other again. that hour after lunch on saturday was breathtaking. some of the shots they played were just outrageous. even boycott was purring with excitement.

I know, I posted elsewhere that those two are like cricketing soulmates...a match made in heaven!! I'd love to see them batting together again tomorrow..

[sostenurter]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Evening Ernest

I didn't even have the compensation of being able to drink as I was driving - dang dang dang !



I did actually see that happen, Jones put down a catch and then in the next over the other Jones bowled him on a no ball - Hussains face said it all!



I can't see them doing it to be honest - I think it will be a draw, I can't see the Kiwi's bowling England out either.

Scott

Hmmm. Really can't see the draw - given the way most sides bat nowadays, at about three an over, I think we'll either win or lose. The only way a draw will happen is if NZ take wickets at regular, but distant, intervals. That way, they won't bowl us out, but we will be too busy consolidating and building up partnerships to score rapidly enough to win. If we get a biggish partnership established, the way most of our players play, we will go for the win.

Scott - I know how you feel about missing a day of play - I missed all of Friday afternoon's session because I was on a train - didn't see any of the Tres/Strauss stand!

[R W S]

I've a question. There's meant to be 90 overs bowled tomorrow but isn't there a rule about having an extra hour if theres a chance of result? I doubt we'll have a repeat of the Lara situation in Antiga!!

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by R W S

I've a question. There's meant to be 90 overs bowled tomorrow but isn't there a rule about having an extra hour if theres a chance of result? I doubt we'll have a repeat of the Lara situation in Antiga!!

Hmm...I know they have to bowl 15 overs in the final hour, but I don't recall an extra hour being played... could be wrong though..

[Tom Partis]

if it gets to the stage where jones and flintoff get together and they stay together, i can't see it going beyond tea. those two must have scored at nearly 6 an over together.