Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Sprinko said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

And Conway inexplicably back in a second gully position drops another one.
HOW FUCKING THICK IS TOM LATHAM

He's also scored three runs in as many innings. That isn't ideal.

Stage is set today for Ravindra to show he can knuckle down and fight.

We need some of our batsmen to actually stand up and fight for their wicket. It feels like the batsmen have slept walked through the entire game. The top score in the first innings was from Kylo wasn't it? Or was it Philips? Some guys don't deserve their match payments so far

THe BCs are living up to the "home track bullies" reputation with this performance so far.

We were tough on India. But we just seem flat in England right now, bowlers excluded

Indeed. Some harsh memories of that tour in 2022 and we're only on day two.

Mitchell rediscovering some the form he had then would be handy.

Potentially slightly worryingly that five of the six guys from that top order are playing in this series.

You certainly can't fault any of the bowlers on the tour so far.

If we lose the game the batters should be carrying all of the bowlers' luggage, because they are being carried on the pitch right now

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Sprinko said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

And Conway inexplicably back in a second gully position drops another one.
HOW FUCKING THICK IS TOM LATHAM

He's also scored three runs in as many innings. That isn't ideal.

Stage is set today for Ravindra to show he can knuckle down and fight.

We need some of our batsmen to actually stand up and fight for their wicket. It feels like the batsmen have slept walked through the entire game. The top score in the first innings was from Kylo wasn't it? Or was it Philips? Some guys don't deserve their match payments so far

THe BCs are living up to the "home track bullies" reputation with this performance so far.

We were tough on India. But we just seem flat in England right now, bowlers excluded

Indeed. Some harsh memories of that tour in 2022 and we're only on day two.

Mitchell rediscovering some the form he had then would be handy.

Potentially slightly worryingly that five of the six guys from that top order are playing in this series.

You certainly can't fault any of the bowlers on the tour so far.

If we lose the game the batters should be carrying all of the bowlers' luggage, because they are being carried on the pitch right now

100% agree on that one.

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Sprinko said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

And Conway inexplicably back in a second gully position drops another one.
HOW FUCKING THICK IS TOM LATHAM

He's also scored three runs in as many innings. That isn't ideal.

Stage is set today for Ravindra to show he can knuckle down and fight.

We need some of our batsmen to actually stand up and fight for their wicket. It feels like the batsmen have slept walked through the entire game. The top score in the first innings was from Kylo wasn't it? Or was it Philips? Some guys don't deserve their match payments so far

THe BCs are living up to the "home track bullies" reputation with this performance so far.

We were tough on India. But we just seem flat in England right now, bowlers excluded

Indeed. Some harsh memories of that tour in 2022 and we're only on day two.

Mitchell rediscovering some the form he had then would be handy.

Potentially slightly worryingly that five of the six guys from that top order are playing in this series.

You certainly can't fault any of the bowlers on the tour so far.

If we lose the game the batters should be carrying all of the bowlers' luggage, because they are being carried on the pitch right now

It's almost "Pakistan mid 90s vs the Black Caps" level.

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Sprinko said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

And Conway inexplicably back in a second gully position drops another one.
HOW FUCKING THICK IS TOM LATHAM

He's also scored three runs in as many innings. That isn't ideal.

Stage is set today for Ravindra to show he can knuckle down and fight.

We need some of our batsmen to actually stand up and fight for their wicket. It feels like the batsmen have slept walked through the entire game. The top score in the first innings was from Kylo wasn't it? Or was it Philips? Some guys don't deserve their match payments so far

THe BCs are living up to the "home track bullies" reputation with this performance so far.

We were tough on India. But we just seem flat in England right now, bowlers excluded

Indeed. Some harsh memories of that tour in 2022 and we're only on day two.

Mitchell rediscovering some the form he had then would be handy.

Potentially slightly worryingly that five of the six guys from that top order are playing in this series.

You certainly can't fault any of the bowlers on the tour so far.

If we lose the game the batters should be carrying all of the bowlers' luggage, because they are being carried on the pitch right now

It's almost "Pakistan mid 90s vs the Black Caps" level.

Was that the horror in Hamilton?

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Sprinko said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

And Conway inexplicably back in a second gully position drops another one.
HOW FUCKING THICK IS TOM LATHAM

He's also scored three runs in as many innings. That isn't ideal.

Stage is set today for Ravindra to show he can knuckle down and fight.

We need some of our batsmen to actually stand up and fight for their wicket. It feels like the batsmen have slept walked through the entire game. The top score in the first innings was from Kylo wasn't it? Or was it Philips? Some guys don't deserve their match payments so far

THe BCs are living up to the "home track bullies" reputation with this performance so far.

We were tough on India. But we just seem flat in England right now, bowlers excluded

Indeed. Some harsh memories of that tour in 2022 and we're only on day two.

Mitchell rediscovering some the form he had then would be handy.

Potentially slightly worryingly that five of the six guys from that top order are playing in this series.

You certainly can't fault any of the bowlers on the tour so far.

If we lose the game the batters should be carrying all of the bowlers' luggage, because they are being carried on the pitch right now

It's almost "Pakistan mid 90s vs the Black Caps" level.

Was that the horror in Hamilton?

I'm not sure living there is relevant.

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Sprinko said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

And Conway inexplicably back in a second gully position drops another one.
HOW FUCKING THICK IS TOM LATHAM

He's also scored three runs in as many innings. That isn't ideal.

Stage is set today for Ravindra to show he can knuckle down and fight.

We need some of our batsmen to actually stand up and fight for their wicket. It feels like the batsmen have slept walked through the entire game. The top score in the first innings was from Kylo wasn't it? Or was it Philips? Some guys don't deserve their match payments so far

THe BCs are living up to the "home track bullies" reputation with this performance so far.

We were tough on India. But we just seem flat in England right now, bowlers excluded

Indeed. Some harsh memories of that tour in 2022 and we're only on day two.

Mitchell rediscovering some the form he had then would be handy.

Potentially slightly worryingly that five of the six guys from that top order are playing in this series.

You certainly can't fault any of the bowlers on the tour so far.

If we lose the game the batters should be carrying all of the bowlers' luggage, because they are being carried on the pitch right now

It's almost "Pakistan mid 90s vs the Black Caps" level.

Was that the horror in Hamilton?

I'm not sure living there is relevant.

That game was just another reason to leave

"Every day is a bowling day"

@canefan The pitch is a killer though. Sideways movement is fine but the variable bounce is a lottery. The ball is regularly hitting porridge areas and turning into a worm burner.
Other depressing news. I live 10km away and it is currently raining.

@BerniesCorner said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan The pitch is a killer though. Sideways movement is fine but the variable bounce is a lottery. The ball is regularly hitting porridge areas and turning into a worm burner.
Other depressing news. I live 10km away and it is currently raining.

Rain for 3 days?

I heard someone say today was rain, clear and rain again.

@BerniesCorner said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

I heard someone say today was rain, clear and rain again.

Sounds like they will have plenty of time to wrap us up

Just got inside word that there's some drizzle.

I'd like to say hopefully three days worth but fuck that mentality. One of Conway, Ravindra, Mitchell and/or Blundell need to pony up, knuckle down and actually get these runs.

Of that bunch and to play that way I'd back Conway and Mitchell most.....in saying that a carefree 60/70 odd from Ravindra would be nice........and NZ bat way down. Phillips is due a big score at test level. Smith has good first class batting pedigree. Jamieson and Henry have 50s at this level.

There seem to have been a few instances of poor shot selection but these made to look even worse by the pitch. The ball that got Bethel in the second innings was a shocker. Vaughan and Nasser are seething about it and reckon that the ECB should take away the rights to test matches at Lords until the MCC get their act together and sort out the pitch, which has been very difficult and inconsistent for some time. This would take a couple of years though.

Imagine a summer or two of test cricket with no Lords test!

Excuse my ignorance, but how long does it take to improve a pitch block?

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Excuse my ignorance, but how long does it take to improve a pitch block?

According to the article on Aunty's website this morning, Lords would need a couple of years as they would have to dig the whole square up and pretty much go from scratch again -

"What do the ECB do, if they have to dig up the pitch and start again? It means no cricket here for two years," ex-New Zealand bowler Simon Doull told Sky Sports.

@Catogrande said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Excuse my ignorance, but how long does it take to improve a pitch block?

According to the article on Aunty's website this morning, Lords would need a couple of years as they would have to dig the whole square up and pretty much go from scratch again -

"What do the ECB do, if they have to dig up the pitch and start again? It means no cricket here for two years," ex-New Zealand bowler Simon Doull told Sky Sports.

So a drop in is out of the question? Surely technology has improved to a point to where that would be better than the pitch they have now

@canefan

I guess that the feeling is that there is so much wrong with the square that a drop in simply wouldn't fix the real issues.

Someone mentioned it earlier. Ravindra is constantly dropping sitters. His dismissals are generally caused by a brain explosions.

It's a combination of a difficult pitch and really poor technique from modern batsmen. I get that there are issues with the pitch, and the up and down bounce can't really be tolerated as it can become dangerous (though I've seen worse on the sub-continent), but professional batsmen should be able to counter the sideways movement a lot better. Cover your stumps, play inside the line and don't follow the ball, and defend with soft hands so if you edge it, it doesn't fly into the slips. Do that until the shine is off the ball, then look to up the ante. This is just test cricket 101, but what I see these days is batsmen playing with hard hands early so every edge flies in the air, failing to cover their stumps (how are they getting beaten on the outside and still get bowled?!), and an inability to concentrate for long enough period of time to survive if the ball moves around for a while. T20 has a lot to answer for...

A 300+ score against a pitch with sideways movement should be well within reach.

@barky1 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Someone mentioned it earlier. Ravindra is constantly dropping sitters. His dismissals are generally caused by a brain explosions.

He was concussed that time in the deep when he missed the catch and it hit him in the head

The weather might save this one from being a two and a half day Test match.

As for the bounce - a priceless venue with a Temu wicket block.

Nass and Mel rather disparaging of the umpires and powers that be, as the players leave 11 balls in due to rain, after lunching throughout the sunshine.

Devan goes at the first ball after the resumption with hard hands. He won't be there long if he keeps this up

This is a massive challenge, Rachin will hopefully embrace it

Rachin succumbs to Robinson with another ball going on to hit off stump. A tough assignment is getting tougher. This pitch is a minefield

Mitch given LBW, review confirms it. He was unlucky, I thought in real time that it was going down leg but the umpire gave him out. If he hadn't he would have been safe. I think you can stick a fork in us

We like to bag poor pitches on the subcontinent. But this Lord's pitch is not test quality

Left Lords 2 hours ago. Crap day, crap pitch.
Paid NZ34.00 for a burger at Lords, wx cold like a miserable Wgtn southerly day.

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

We like to bag poor pitches on the subcontinent. But this Lord's pitch is not test quality

Agreed, but if the rain saves NZ they don't deserve it. After all England played on exactly the same pitch.

199 further runs look a million miles away.

Twin failures from Latham, Ravindra and Mitchell are hugely disappointing. We can't always rely on KW miracles.

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Twin failures from Latham, Ravindra and Mitchell are hugely disappointing. We can't always rely on KW miracles.

KW was 0 and 18. That's hardly a non-failure.

@nzzp said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Twin failures from Latham, Ravindra and Mitchell are hugely disappointing. We can't always rely on KW miracles.

KW was 0 and 18. That's hardly a non-failure.

For sure. What I'm trying to say is that will happen every now and again. If it does someone else should stand up.

Although the Indians on FB are taking great delight in pointing out KW fails overseas and talking up Kohli as being better ( conveniently forgetting his average record in the last few years of his test career )

Alright Nigel

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

It's a miracle. I can see the sky.

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

It's a miracle. I can see the sky.

Hallelujah !!!!!

I mean......fuck !!!

....that's not the only miracle we'll need today.

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

It's a miracle. I can see the sky.

Hallelujah !!!!!

I mean......fuck !!!

....that's not the only miracle we'll need today.

Too much to ask some of our specialist batters to grow a spine?

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

It's a miracle. I can see the sky.

Hallelujah !!!!!

I mean......fuck !!!

....that's not the only miracle we'll need today.

View image

Too much to ask some of our specialist batters to grow a spine?

Well they've all fucken sucked so far this test.

Help us Obi Wan Conway. You're our only hope !

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

It's a miracle. I can see the sky.

Hallelujah !!!!!

I mean......fuck !!!

....that's not the only miracle we'll need today.

View image

Too much to ask some of our specialist batters to grow a spine?

Well they've all fucken sucked so far this test.

Help us Obi Wan Conway. You're our only hope !

He looks so out of sync. Nasser broke it down by comparing his Lords double ton innings to now. His prep and footwork are all at sea

Clouds incoming. We can only hope.

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@canefan said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@MN5 said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

@Bones said in Black Caps Test Tour to England & Ireland:

Alright Nigel

Glad you're here. Can you give us a weather report please ?

It's a miracle. I can see the sky.

Hallelujah !!!!!

I mean......fuck !!!

....that's not the only miracle we'll need today.

View image

Too much to ask some of our specialist batters to grow a spine?

Well they've all fucken sucked so far this test.

Help us Obi Wan Conway. You're our only hope !

He looks so out of sync. Nasser broke it down by comparing his Lords double ton innings to now. His prep and footwork are all at sea

Nassar Hussein played close to 100 tests for England as a specialist batsman and averaged 37. He doesn't know shit.

( ok, he is is actually an outstanding pundit to be fair )