NZ Test tour of Eng, June 2-27

[sussexpob]

Pope goes to a good ball from Henry.... In comes Root.

RR at 4.2.... at some point England need to decide if they are in this to win it, or if its time to close up. With the wicket down just then, and inevitably Root needing some time to play himself in, maybe in reality that rate is slightly higher.

I think if I were England I'd probably back off this.

[sussexpob]

Well, definitely now.

Boult turns the match on the head. Gets one to dig in, and Root just flicks it back for some catching practice.

England lose two quick. I guess one result is off the table now

[Arthur Crabtree]

A full ground is going to like that!

[sussexpob]

I'd have probably sent myself in as Stokes, because Bairstow is currently England's least reliable option to stop the rout. Got a feeling Bairstow is playing for his test career, so its time to put up or shut up

[bigfluffylemon]

Gulp.

[sussexpob]

NZ targetting that inside edge of Bairstow, as they should. Couple he's not got the middle on and inside edge, but so far no cigar for NZ. Bairstow wants to seemingly get driving to balls a little on the up though.

Cant see him lasting long here.... (I'll take my thanks when he scores the winning runs)

[sussexpob]

Meanwhile Lees has played a few lovely strokes.He has stickability, and is now showing he has game in his locker.

Definately something there for England to work on in the future.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Root goes. Thought they might throw in Stokes to the chase and pull out if he didn't come off, but here's Jonny.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe the skipper wants an older ball.

[bigfluffylemon]

Bairstow Has already lasted longer than I expected.

Boult does love tormenting England, doesn't he?

[sussexpob]

Certainly feels England have backed off.

[bigfluffylemon]

RRR up to 4.5. Feels out of reach, but it is still possible if no more wickets fall until well after tea for Stokes to come in and repeat what he did in the first innings. Getting less and less likely though.

49 overs left, so only 6 behind the rate, and the spinner is just coming on. We might actually get all 90 today if it goes the distance. Amazing how quickly teams can get through them on day 5 when they have a limited number to claim victory.

[bigfluffylemon]

TBH, in the context of the series and NZ's monster first innings, I think we'd all have taken a draw at tea on day 2. It's to the credit of both teams that the match is still interesting.

[sussexpob]

Lees goes just as England settle .... Stokes and Foakes, then the tail. HAve a feeling this partnership is it, it has to see at least this sesssion out.

England definately wont win now.

[bigfluffylemon]

My fault. I was just about to post that Lees seems to have made a breakthrough and has looked pretty solid in the last couple of innings.