Eng Test tour of NZ, Nov 28 - Dec 18

[backfootpunch]

Some extremely casual batting

Looks like England wanted southee to finish with a win.

Bowlers given a couple of hours rest now back out there. Bashir not bowling at all looks pretty stupid right now.

[meninblue]

Massive lead for NZ of 204 runs after the first innings.

[meninblue]

NZ 100/1 in 23 overs. Leading by 304 runs.

[meninblue]

2 wickets for Ben in 9 balls. Will Young and night watcman Will O’Rourke. Still NZ huge favorites imo. England need miracle.

[meninblue]

Stumps - Day 2

NZ 136/3. Leading by 340 runs.

Remaining batsmen:
Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell , Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Tim Southee.

[alfie]

Good day for the Kiwis

Can be critical of the England batting (and I really didn't like the spread field for the NZ last pair earlier in the day !). But NZ bowled really well as a group : Henry deadly as ever with the new ball , and O'Rourke's spell in that three wicket period was magnificent. Confess I didn't expect Santner to destroy the late middle order but he is on a bit of a roll with bat and ball , no ?

I feel for the England bowlers having to get back out there with what , three hours between innings ? Not for the first time ; but this was perhaps the toughest turnaround yet. Don't envy their task tomorrow : keeping the eventual target under 450 must be the plan ; but not putting the house on that outcome...

[Durhamfootman]

the less said about that, the better

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is what happens when Brook is out first ball.

Maybe cursed by the effusive press he's had recently.

[Durhamfootman]

On to Hamilton. No doubt the locals will be after salvaging some pride

England's intensity might drop now the series is won

is this what it's about?

[Durhamfootman]

17 tests in a calendar year.... it's a lot of tests

NZ and SA would struggle to play 17 tests in 2 years

[Arthur Crabtree]

Apparently a lot of rain about until about teatime.

[bigfluffylemon]

Rain the only thing capable of saving England now.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like there's some action just after lunch.

[Arthur Crabtree]

This has turned into a solid drubbing. Awkward way to end the year.

1502 runs over the year and six tons must make Root the England player of the year. Top scorer in world cricket. And became England's all time leading runmaker.

Brook and Atkinson the other candidates.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England seem to have successfully moved on from James Anderson. And doubt there have been many calls to revive Johnny Blameless' England career. Maybe even a feeling Wood has slid quietly out the exit. Though Leach is still a candidate.

Some handy new caps, with Atkinson, Smith and Carse emerging. More of a mixed picture for Bashir.

Year to forget for Crawley and Stokes.