Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Broad was excellent. Might on a luckier day had five by now. Anderson had a great spell after tea , after being a bit short of his best earlier. But Wood and Stone were not consistent enough , though plenty of effort. Still need the old boys despite all these serious pace options around now.

Conway lucky to survive what did look a fair catch off Broad ; but made the most of it - played really well again until a brain fade after tea. NZ have found a good one there. Young put in the sort of performance that might give them a few decisions to make re the team for the WTC Final...though he owes Joe Root a beer for one of the easiest slips drops you'll see this year. Taylor basically survived through sheer cussedness and a lot of luck : looks well out of touch - which will probably guarantee him a hundred now

The late wicket for Lawrence , and the fact that a new ball is imminent in the morning , gives England some chance of mounting a comeback : but they'll need some quick results in the morning. Hope the two veterans are able to turn it on after solid shifts today. If NZ get through the new ball and settle in , 450 and a winning lead beckon...

I thought the catch hit the ground off Conway, so there was at least some doubt, even if I'm wrong.

Stone looked short of a bit of class. Wood has played a lot of Tests now and only averages 34, 44 at home. Is he worth a place? Woakes and Curran have much better records, particularly at home and are all rounders. I suppose Archer might play if available.

New ball at a crucial time. Exploit this and England can be about level at half way (given NZ have the disadvantage of batting last).

Roscoe the fifth batter in the game to get out between 80-82.

Well, Lawrence was not out.

A few catches dropped by England. One by Bracey. After his first baller, maybe he thought things couldn't get any worse.

Slight advantage to NZ I guess, but extended with Burns gone now. Crawley off the mark though, so you win some, lose some.

I think Henry averages 50+ in Tests. 5-85 so far in this.

Tea. Coney recommends giving Patel a go. Like what they are doing now isn't working.

Crawley goes to Henry.

Someone on BBC asks if this is the worst top three in international cricket. West Indies might be worse.

Oh dear.

At least bracey has a run

sussexpob wrote:Oh dear.

At least bracey has a run

Well, I guess it's improvement

Maybe we'll see NZ claim the extra half hour.

According to BBC, NZ have pitched the ball half a metre fuller than England.

That's quite a difference.

And it's a side with Wagner in it.

Root goes to the spinner (ironic given he didn't pick one).

Patel: 4-3-2-2.

Might not need the extra 30m.

9 runs to make NZ bat again at least..

Stone and Wood put on 44. Says it all.