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I would like to see an unchanged side, I see no point in breaking up thee only winning side of merit just for the sake of change.

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Ern

Looks like vaughan will be playing, also Jon lewis could well return.

If he had any sence he would not have picked this time to make a comeback, England at last seem to have found a little momentum.



Well good luck to him I hope he manages to stay at the wicket for 11 overs like Loye did to give the middle order a chance.

weather Jon Lewis strengthens the bowing attack is a matter of opinion, I doubt his medium pace will bother the big hitters from New Zealand - I wonder who will make way?, any takers on it being Mahmood?.
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Ern

Yep Vaughan in for Loye!!!

First over Joyce plays out a maiden taking a look at the bowling, after Vaughan had won the toss and batted.

Second over first delivery from Bond a wide....First legitimate delivery Vaughan OUT bowled.

Here I am again up at 03:29 with England 1-1, super move splitting the team that beat Australia, replacing Loye.

And for good measure England have dropped Ravi Bopara for P Collinwood, in essence breaking up last weeks winning team.

One consolation this could be my last late night sinse before Christmas.

At 03:35 score - Eng 12-1 3.4 ovs.

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Ern

Having rang the changes Bell our for 12, New Zealand have been allowed to create pressure with the bowling not being attacked.

At 03:54 score - Eng 28-2 8 ovs

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Ern

That wicket was the result of the following preceding bits of fielding....

Yes his shots were fine but with not enough power to get past the fielding, not his fault in this case, he was in fact facing the new ball, I see Strauss has been promoted up the order, that's been forced by tinkering.

Score at 04:13: Eng 44-2 11.5 ovs - England have a battle now to reach the finals.

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Ern

England now 52-3, joyce has been caught for 28.


E C Joyce Caught - B B McCullum b J E C Franklin

Score at 04:21:52-3.

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Ern

Better news is that Strauss isn playing his shots including the pull, lets hope for once he scores more than 30, he looks in good form.
Maybe talk of him being dropped from the World Cup squad has woke him up.

England are Eng 82-3 18 ovs - need to get it up to 5 an over soon.
I am off to bed with radio so i leave you with :-

Strauss 29 of 28 balls.

Collingwood 8 of 14 balls.

England are Eng 85-3 18.4 ovs.


Goodnight all hope to read reports on this thread that England have reached 300 when I get up in 3 and 1/2 hours time.

Last score at 04:49 - Eng 87-3 19 ovs

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Ern

Well done Collingwood,Strauss,Dalrymple and Plunkett for giving us a decent total though we were helped by some of the worst fielding i have ever witnessed from a New Zealand side.All about bottle now when New Zealand bat.

Loye must be sweating on his place for the World Cup with Vaughan returning and any doubts about Collingwood's form have been erased after today.