ODI Series & T20i, England v New Zealand, 2015.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Well played JB Go Johnny go go go go.

Is it just me or does Ian Smith come across as being rather bitter sometimes?

Bitter about NZ losing?

I don't think so at all, he has given England alot of praise during this series and the test series.

[backfootpunch]

Who do you drop?

I guess Bairstow stays and Billings unluckily misses out.

Billings has played two decent knocks. With out him we'd have lost today.

id keep billings in myself, feel he has shown a lot in the few chances he has

[captaincolly]

Brilliant innings from Bairstow.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I'd drop Roy and find someone from the rest of the team to open with Hales. Specialist openers aren't really relevant anymore as everyone comes in to bash the leather off the ball now.

[dan08]

I'd drop Roy and find someone from the rest of the team to open with Hales. Specialist openers aren't really relevant anymore as everyone comes in to bash the leather off the ball now.

Surely Moeen comes back for Roy. He's done alright opening and provides the 6th bowling option.

[braveneutral]

They looked like they felt so alive.

[Making_Splinters]

Probably the greatest ODI series in recent memory from an English point of view.

Tough choices to make, in a good way.

[Aidan11]

Great game of cricket.

Looked at one stage like rain would be the winner but the sun shone down on Jonny Bairstow.

[braveneutral]

Nick Knight.

[budgetmeansbudget]

:angry

Nick Knight.

I was thinking the same but he did some reasonable interviews.

[Aidan11]

We beat the World Cup runners up so we should be 2nd best in the world now.

[Durhamfootman]

I decided to not to follow the second half, and save it for the highlights, so that win came as a complete surprise in the end. I was watching the top order make a complete horlicks of what should have been a straightforward run chase, and bemoaning the fact that NZ were holding far harder catches than England had dropped, and then up stepped Johnny Bairstow. Good lad!

Before the match, I couldn't understand why England would call up JB ahead of JT when they already had a keeper in the side, but it was clearly an inspired move, so well done to all.

KW's catch off Hales reminded me of the Colly catch off Matty, the thug, Hayden back in 2005. Not as good, obviously, but a decent attempt at matching the best catch ever taken in ODI cricket.

Not the best catch at the riverside, though...... that honour goes to Garry Park for his stunning, running catch off Andrew, couldn't believe it, Strauss in a floodlit P40 match a few years ago. Nothing will ever beat that catch (and the camera's missed it too..... boom man couldn't point his camera down low enough to avoid the sight screen, but I saw it live and had a perfect view).

[Durhamfootman]

One thing that struck me..... the Riverside is one of the bigger grounds in the country, and it looked as though the boundaries were right back. None of your soft sh1te mis-hit for 6 bollox up here. Up here you have to work for your runs........ and quite right too!

I think Morgs and Stokesy probably should have had a look at where the ropes were before teeing off

Been a damn fine series this. Credit to both sides

[captaincolly]

One thing that struck me..... the Riverside is one of the bigger grounds in the country, and it looked as though the boundaries were right back. None of your soft sh1te mis-hit for 6 bollox up here. Up here you have to work for your runs........ and quite right too!

I think Morgs and Stokesy probably should have had a look at where the ropes were before teeing off

Been a damn fine series this. Credit to both sides

Those two were guilty of brainless batting, not the only culprits by any means but very careless to play so recklessly given the match situation.
The only partial excuse is that I think England are trying to learn how to instinctively attack so that'll become a natural way of playing.

[Making_Splinters]

Well England have won the arguably most aggressive ODI series of all time. The thing that struck me however was how much the lads looked like they were enjoying their cricket. I struggle to think of an England side in recent times who have seemed so laid back and delighted with each other's success and having the confidence to play how they want to play the game.

There are big questions to be answered mind:

Does Roy get another series?

Ali or Rashid or both?

How do you solve a problem like Bairstow?

Is Willey good enough? (No)

How do we stop the opposition from scoring 350?

A small step in the right direction, and probably the first time English cricket has connected with the public in half a decade, but it will take a lot of faith to stick with the plan when it goes a bit awry.