NZ Test tour of Eng, June 2-27

[Durhamfootman]

still.... England get away with the kamikaze approach again. One day it isn't going to work and they'll just look silly.

We should just enjoy while it lasts, I suppose

I doubt there is going to be any more discussions about Bairstow's value for the rest of the summer

[Arthur Crabtree]

First time I've watched JO bat and bowl. I was more impressed with his batting than his bowling tbh. I could see England giving him a run in the side just for his batting at 8.

The new Chris Woakes?

[bigfluffylemon]

Has there been an England bowler who has scored a hundred on debut?

First time I've watched JO bat and bowl. I was more impressed with his batting than his bowling tbh. I could see England giving him a run in the side just for his batting at 8.

The highlights over the last 2 nights have barely featured Potts, presumably because he hasn't taken either a shedload of wickets or conceded any boundaries. How well has he bowled in the role of opening bowler? He's certainly been miserly, has he looked threatening? He appears to have been a bit unlucky with lbw decisions and dropped catches and I'm guessing he didn't get sucked into the bang it in short stuff, or he would have gone for many more runs

Potts kept it in good areas and as you say, was a little unlucky (he could have had Mitchell on 3). I noted that he doesn't have a good line v left handers, needs to practise that one.

Overton's batting was genuinely pretty good, he had a bit of luck but his basic technique is sound. He has a better defense than Crawley (perhaps not saying much). He wasn't overly accurate bowling and banged it in too short too often.

[alfie]

Potts was my choice as England's best bowler ...had no luck at all but his economy undoubtedly made chances for his colleagues. Very good progress from him.

DFM : I think you are drawing a rather long bow comparing Bairstow's lucky breaks with Mitchell's in this series. Mitchell - who has been truly excellent and deserves some good fortune ! - has been dropped very early (and non reviewed yesterday) in his last two centuries . Jonny has only given one chance over the two hundreds - the c&b on 27 to Wagner yesterday.

J Overton looked very good as his innings progressed : some good fortune early ; but by the close he was looking pretty secure. Seemed to be making good choices as to when to go hard and when to defend. Really hope he can go on and crown his efforts with a hundred. Of course his future will depend more on his bowling so the second innings will be important for him.

Unwilling to make bold predictions about the direction of this match ; but assuming the first innings scores end up not too far apart , NZ may possibly find their decision to go in with only three front line bowlers comes back to bite them.

Or Boult could skittle England on his own...his opening spell yesterday was one for the ages

Third good match in a row ...aren't we lucky ?

[bigfluffylemon]

NZ's decision I think has already bitten them. Bracewell isn't great and got absolutely thumped at TB and again yesterday, and excellent as Boult has been he can't bowl all day. Once the shine wore off the new ball only Wagner was threatening, and he can't keep up the menace over long spells either, so was dropping in pace and getting hit as a result.

Still, England are still a ways behind, match is in the balance. Which is good. I'd rather be NZ with runs on the board and bowling last, but a good couple of hours in the morning could see England in a strong position. As Alfie says, good entertaining cricket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Overton just misses out.

Great effort though.

[alfie]

Gutted for Overton... So close and yet so far...

Obviously he's very disappointed right now ; but maybe he will reflect better on his achievement as he cools down. He's changed this game quite dramatically

Broad having some fun...given the "licence" I guess .And scores level...

[Durhamfootman]

Yes, I agree it was a damned shame for JO. 97? ouch!

but yes, he has helped changed the game as England now have a lead and Broad is indeed having a bit of fun.... and why not

YJB marching on. Maybe this is the secret with him... just let him play like it was a 50 over game and don't even try to contain or rein him in. It won't always come off, but that's why there are 5 other batsmen in the side. I'd be more concerned about Gentle Ben's approach. It's much more frenetic than Bairstow's and I think Stokes is a much better batsman than that.

alfie, I noticed on the highlights that early on, YJB nicked one just over the slips, dragged an inside edge perilously close to his stumps.... as well as a skier later on that just evaded the fielder. But yes, you earn these breaks when you're playing well and this is as good a Bairstow as I've seen since the heady days of Stokes/Bairstow/Ali when they were perhaps the best 6,7,8 in world cricket

[Durhamfootman]

As I type all that, both Bairstow and Broad fall and so, presumably, the innings is drawing to a close

good effort to get any sort of lead after such a disastrous start

[Durhamfootman]

360 ao

If there is a good time to get bowled out, then half an hour before lunch is probably as good as any other

lets see if Matty Potts gets a bit more luck in the next innings

[alfie]

After all that England may feel they left a few runs out there in the end ! But after being 55/6 , the words "mustn't be greedy" come to mind

Not the sort of lead to be decisive ; so they'd love one wicket before lunch...I see a couple from Leach already keeping low so chasing might not be a picnic...

[Durhamfootman]

unusual choice to open with Leach alongside Broad

[bigfluffylemon]

Bairstow has the gloves. Where's Foakes?

[Durhamfootman]

honest Joe drops a regulation catch at 1st slip

been a few drops in this match

[Durhamfootman]

why has Potts only bowled 5 overs?