It was a combination of poor tactics on the part of Anderson, in particular the people who got in Andersons ear and told him to bowl so wide to Flemming (I suspect Vaughan and Moore it looked very pre-meditated)

and

Flemming getting riding his luck to the enth degree, with what basicaly was unsustainable slashing. Then like a mob of sheep the proceeding Kiwi batsmen attempted to do the same. To a bowler who was bowling fairly straight, maybe even one who after listening to Vaughan and Moore decided to follow his basic instincts instead.

What Seargent Troy is to driving, Panesar is to catching.

Well whatever Anderson should have been given another spell: he did not bowl rank bad balls like long hops or half vollies. he will bowl worse and get wickets. Flemming rode his luck no doubt witht the short boundary in mind.

What a poor batting performance by both teams, really they would "Pietersen apart" struggle against Bangladesh.

Sidebottom really did get the crap England batting out of Jail, and the New Zealand batting threw away the great advantage their bowlers had given them.

I have see better village green cricket than this.

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Ern

The calibre of cricket played in this test series in general, and in this test match in particular leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps this is the impact of 20/20, with batsmen going for shots at the expense of technique.

Vaughan out again for a measly 4. I'm starting to tire of some people saying that a big score is round the corner, or "when he's on form he's pure class". It looks like he isn't going to be in form again. Vaughan needs to go.

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Frank Skinner: "You know when Glenn McGrath trod on that cricket ball? Don't you wish it would've been a landmine?"

Thank goodness for Sidebottom as he alone has put us in charge of this game.

Not surprised by Anderson bowling rubbish as he does it so often it is the norm.

Just need to bat out a full day tomorrow and set up the series win.

That was a top effort by Siders. I know the NZ batting is poor but he has constantly kept the scoring rate down and taken wickets. I was surprised he went round the wicket to some of the bats, at least it shows some planning and even better, it worked.

If I'm still not 100% convinced by Siders, after all this NZ side and the WI side he blew away last summer are hardly the strongest batting line up, however if he does well next summer against SA then I'll happily hold my hand up and admit I was wrong.

Exactly, he cant put 2 performances together. If in future he is to play it has to be part of a 5 man attack that way when he has his bad innings at least we will have enough bowling cover!

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Mark.

Once again this inconsistent NZ top order falls awa y...4/5/6 really need to get there act together, this test is still balanced in my view.

Despite the flat deck, no one barring KP (and maybe Flem) have confidence with the bat at the moment, and m pretty sure 300+ has been chased in a 4th innings on this pitch (maybe a 1st class game), so its up for grabs still, but England firmly in the driving seat.

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Hoggy Hoggy Hoggy...OI OI OI!!!

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? In the balance of what? New Zealand batting is awful. I have never seen Fleming as a world beater and he is their best batsmen!
Sidebottom is bowling well but he is getting somewhat flattered on this tour.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

This series has been good for us because it has exposed some serious shortcomings, in good time. (Hopefully good time!)
That's no offence to NZ, but if we're struggling against them, SA are going to make mincemeat of us this summer, and don't even think about avoiding a 5-0 Ashes whitewash next year.
I like Sidebottom's approach. He's bowls consistently well and takes wickets. If he only he had some decent back up. Broad looks promising but Anderson is good one match, then terrible the next. Which at least is slightly better than Harmison who is good for one match in 50.
Why pick Panesar again? As I said last Test, if it ain't a spinner's wicket, pick Swann, who can at least offer good batting and very good fielding. Monty takes a catch and has to have treatment!

Carrying on the Fantasy theme, I think we have got to look at every single player, sentiment aside.
Strauss is obviously batting for a place this summer, and probably hopes that if he can get 70+, he's safe.

Collingwood and Pietersen are safe. As is Sidebottom.
Broad I would stay with. He's young but getting more things right than he is wrong.
Ambrose seems to be safe in the wicket keeper's position, but I wouldn't like to see him get comfortable. I fear (and hope) that there's at least one more wicket keeper to be seen before we settle on someone long term.

Harmison should go back to Durham and even then I really think we should look further afield than him. If a man who can't even get the right line after all these years is still in the frame, then what does that say about the state of our bowlers?
Hoggard has been excellent - England's most consistent player for years. He needs to go to Yorkshire and bowl many overs, and then come back. Yes, he's a similar player to Sidebottom, but they are both proven wicket takers, so why quibble?
Vaughan is still troubled by technical niggles which see him getting out in such similar ways. Has he past his best? I'm not sure but I do think it's time for someone to breathe down his neck. I'm just not sure that Collingwood is the right man.
As for KP being captain, I don't know. Does he really have the total respect and support of the team? If Strauss was on form, he would be my first pick. I honestly think that Strauss being passed over for Captain in favour of Flintoff messed with his head. Strauss was by far the best candidate to captain the Ashes last winter, and Flintoff was chosen, made a hash of it and the rest is history.
As for Moores, I think he'll be a good international coach. In some years, just not now. Get in someone who is going to kick some serious ****, because we need it. We also need several top county players on the periphery who make their intentions clear.

In summary - I am confused!

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Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi