It is very quiet on this , isn't it ? To be honest I haven't been commenting here mainly because there seems so little enthusiasm for the match - despite the highly entertaining cricket the teams have been playing in this all too brief series. And seeing several regular posters openly affecting to support NZ due to disapproval of the English team management has left me a little bemused ; though I guess opposition is a more positive approach than mere indifference...
I am surprised people are calling for Ballance's head already. True he has looked out of sorts - but only for three innings ! I think he's earned a
little more credit than that ! As many have said , these NZ bowlers are no mugs.
That said , his struggles are a little concerning with an Ashes Series fast approaching. The technical issues which have always been evident despite his fine early Test record were sure to be most highlighted by top class pace bowling ; so he does need to adapt his game to succeed in this and the next two series . Time will show if he can do so or not ; but I think he should be given some.
This match is intriguingly poised. At one stage England looked set to bat NZ out of the game - 250 for two or three would have set up a likely 500 by late Sunday ; but those late wickets have changed all that , with England now deprived of two of their most likely sources of quick runs , and also faced with a serious battle to face down the rest of the new(ish) ball attack and somehow achieve any sort of a lead. You wouldn't think any lead they can now hope for will be significant in any case , so the second NZ innings is of paramount importance.
NZ for their part will be keen to push on as quickly as possible when they do bat , in view of likely weather disruptions. So Cook will need to strike the right balance between attack and discretion in the field . I never expected to say this , but I wonder if England might not have been better served on Friday afternoon with some slightly more defensive settings against Ronchi once he got "in" . Not complaining , mind ; I was pleased to see the attacking approach , which will usually be correct more often than not. And so I should also make clear , I am
not advocating England should be looking to seek a draw ; just that there may be times against McCullum's NZ where a little defence may constitute the best form of attack. Let them overreach , then counter attack...
Must offer congratulations to Cook on the record. Not the most exciting batsman to grace the game ; but 8900 runs prove the man can bat. And he has come through a fair amount of personal pressure to get there , so
I hope he will go on for a few years yet , with or without the added cares of captaincy. No question England need his batting.