i'm pleased, especially after losing against that other lot (who have conveniently lost their latest game). pity we've been rubbish collecting bonus points though.
To not even make a token attempt to chase the target before shutting up shop is frankly very disappointing, esp given that this series doesn't count towards the WTC.
Personally, I think doing what they did rather than try to go for the win was the right thing to do. Firstly, it's risky going for the win, as NZ has a very good bowling attack. Secondly, to get into the mindset that sometimes you have to grind out an innings is a good habit to get into. NZ, on the whole, was the better side in this test, and England a bit fortunate to get the one day of rain, but nevertheless, NZ is a very good test side, and England did have a few newcomers in the line-up and only Robinson did his chances of playing against no harm, other than this historical social media incident which has got him a ban. With England's full team on the pitch then I think there would be very little between the 2 teams. Looking forward to the 2nd one.
I understand about grinding out an innings being a valuable skill but isn't chasing a score an equally valuable skill! If the result in the match actually meant anything, like WTC points or a trophy maybe, I'd agree with playing for the draw but this 2-match series could easily be played out to try new players and also entertain the paying public who haven't seen live cricket for a year. Games ending like this play into the hands of those who say test cricket is dead, should be 4 days etc. NZ surprised everyone by declaring when they did, they wanted to take the risk and go for the win, we should have had the grace and spirit to go with it. Also re grinding out an innings, Root, Burns and Sibley have surely played enough tests to know how to do that? And what does it does it say to the other players, we don't trust you enough to get a score? As you can tell I'm a bit pissed off about yesterday.
the fourth innings of a test is notoriously difficult to get a decent score in.often there's a deteriorating pitch that's a spinners' paradise and there's clearly a psychological hurdle. it took approximately a hundred years of test cricket before any player reached a career total of a thousand fourth innings test runs.
Sure, don't disagree with any of that but I still think in that particular match we should have had a go. I can't think why anyone would have criticised them for that.
Engerland cricket is finished now, Shirley? All Jimmy Anderson's wickets need taking away from him and throwing in the bin. Eleven years ago he tweeted a funny tweet. And today someone found it not funny. There's no way back from this. What a blessing Twitter is. Without it none of us would know right from wrong. We're all the better for the guardianship of Twitter and it's enthusiastic offence trawlers and no mistake.
You're spinning a yarn ! Didn't realize they could play so long. All those centenarian Gerry Hat-trick bowlers must have been knackered too. Seams impossible, beyond the boundary of possibility.
I think one of England's big failings in recent times has been this gung ho approach when often they have played rash shots and got out cheaply. I just feel they need to dig in at times and grind out a result, which is good going into an Ashes year. Maybe, they could have been a bit busier as Michael Vaughan put it, but the ball was keeping low at times and rearing up on occasions, so on balance, I feel they did the right thing ensuring they go into the 2nd test level.
I didn't think we needed to be too gung ho to aim for 270 in 75 overs even on a last day pitch. But I think we need to agree to disagree, there's another one to argue about starting tomorrow
Basically, Joe Root didn't trust his young batsmen to see it through. Cawley/Lawrence & Bracey didn't do anything in the first innings to give him confidence in them.
17000 spectators at Edgbaston, no social distancing, not a mask in sight and loads of fancy dress, looks almost normal!
Oh dear, steady opening stand then 3 quick wickets after lunch, Sibley, Crawley and Root gone. 85/3 and the ball's swinging!
Well, decent first session, calamitous second then a recovery in the third, 258/7 isn't that bad given all that. Lawrence not out on 60-odd, wonder if he could have done that in the last test given the chance?
I guess a mixed day, a good opening partnership between Burn's and Sibley, then NZ took the 2nd session with Crawley/Root/etc, but a good knock by Lawrence brought a bit of respectability to the proceedings. The first hour today will be crucial, we need to build and get to 350+ if at all possible. I just listened to the TMS podcast, and Dennis Amiss was on, telling the story of facing bowlers without wearing a helmet, and why he was one of the first player to decide to don one. He said he still has a dent in his skull from where Michael Holding hit him, which is an inch away from the area where Phil Hughes was hit and died from.
Yes, 350 would put us in the game but it's a big ask with 7 down and the ball only 10 overs old, fingers crossed...
303 all out. Lovely little cameo from Wood, smacked 5 boundaries in short order, Broad and Anderson couldn't stick around though so Lawrence was left stranded on 78 no. Broad did his 8-15 at Edgbaston, we could do with that again!
Well after an early breakthrough .. we've had one catch given not out even after the review .. and then we have captain sensible.posting himself at slip and dropping a dolly of a catch .. I'd love to know how many he has put down in that position and why he continues to field there is beyond me.
