England off to a flyer, 63-0 in the 12th over. Mustards on to 42 already.

The kiwis have a problem setting targets as they can't judge how hard to push and what sort of score they should be aiming at. Plus the top order tends to fall over more often than not so the middle order are often rescuing the innings rather than pushing on. Whereas when they're chasind and the top order collapses them iddle order just smack it nayway cause they need 8 an over (Oram's innings in the Auckland 2020 is a classic example of this.

And that's different for everyone else is it? That's pretty lame to be perfectly honest, particularly for an ODI side that have pretensions to be one of the best sides in the world in that format.

Setting a score is difficult for any side to judge, particularly when they're playing on wickets they're not familiar with.

And that's also different for everyone else is it? The reason top orders fail more often than not is because they're trying to take advantage of the power play overs and that's a risk ALL ODI sides face, not just the Kiwi's.

So let me get this right, the Kiwi's just want an easier time than everyone else right?

Lame.

England have got off to an excellent start, but it's hard to know whether that's down to a good batting pitch, fast outfield and short boundaries and two batsmen playing well or the average 'samey' nature of the New Zealand seamers. Quite why New Zealand don't play two spinners instead of the extra medium pacer is beyond me.

I just don't see the logic in playing Martin, Oram, O'Brien, Mills and more medium pace from Styris with just Vettori the only real threatening wicket taking bowler - and this is the result, they're getting creamed and they don't seem to have a plan B.

I'm going to revise my required score estimate upwards - they want 300-320+ on this wicket and the more the better and I think if they get it, New Zealand will struggle. That's the benefit of batting first, setting a good competitive score then bowling well to defend it - it can create enormous pressure on the side batting second.

Vettori may well have made a fatal mistake letting England have first bat on this good pitch because their chasing may not be good enough to overhaul Englands total.

It's not looking good for New Zealand even Vettori's getting hit for sixes now and they're yet to take their third powerplay with England still having all their wickets intact.

It's going to be a high scoring game gentlemen.

Just goes to show how quickly things can change - I go for a cup of tea and when I come back two wickets have fallen!

Vettori immediately takes the third powerplay and goes on the attack - with Pietersen at the wicket - could backfire spectacularly!

170-2, both wickets so far to SuperStar Ryder.

I think you'll have to revise your score estimate up again Scott!

Ten off the last ten has to be only be a minimum now with 7 wickets in hand, and (it would appear - though I'm only 'watching' on Cricinfo) NZ bowling so badly...

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never believe anything until it is officially denied . . .

You may well be right!

I think if England get 320+ New Zealand may struggle, because I think Englands bowlers generally are better than the Kiwi's as a group, although this pitch and ground will be hard to defend.

Someone needs to hand O'Brien a clue, because if you bowl a bouncer and it gets smacked for 6, common sense tells you not to bowl another, but O'Brien seems to think that common sense doesn't apply to him.

I suspect that England will press the acccelerator at around 45 overs, because they don't seem to be in any hurry at the moment and they still have plenty of wickets in hand.

269-3 7 overs to go.

Can they get 350?

Pietersen gone, beautiful bowling from Vettori, just held it up a smidgeon and he was through the shot before it arrived - bowled for 50.

278-4, 44 overs.

Pull your head in Scott, did I even say that? forgive me for pointing out the weaknesses in the NZ team I didn't say they were a special case removed from all other cricket teams and deserved special treatment. I dunno what the chip is but get it off your shoulder already.

Nice to see Shah prove his worth again.

Collingwood's on fire- I don't think I've ever seen him play like this. He's not slogging, either, he's just middling them beautifully. Kevin Who?

Vettori has had Shah caught on the boundary. Shah's the first one not to contribute in the innings (no big surprise there). England 292-5 in the 46th.