Eng Test tour of NZ, Nov 28 - Dec 18

[alfie]

I forgot it was only day 2, was wondering if England might declare tonight. But with 3 days left, surely you keep piling on the runs well into tomorrow and give New Zealand an impossible target and over 2 days to survive.

I am told there might be a bit of weather about. But you'd think they will have plenty of time to finish the job when they do pull out , even if that is tomorrow.

[meninblue]

Disappointing to see another innings where Team could bat only 34.5 overs. Not even playing ODI overs quota. And then blame the fans that everyone is interested in T20 format than test when cricketers themselves play T20 in test format. The modern day batsmen are themselves promoting T20 in all formats of the game. They should be the last one to blame the fans.

[meninblue]

533 runs lead and 5 wickets intact. A very comprehensive win coming up for England to lead 2-0 away from home.

[Durhamfootman]

Got to say that the England 'punts' have paid off handsomely in this series. Carse and Bethell, Pope at 6. Even the 4 wickets that Bashir took, on a pitch where NZ didn't bother to pick Santner, in the first test to quickly snuff out the NZ first test revival. Everybody has made runs except Crawley and even Woakes shook off his away average with some key wickets

England will be delighted

[Durhamfootman]

seemingly Bethell has never scored a century in any format at senior level. It does make me wonder what on earth his selection was based on, other than a big fat hunch. That isn't a criticism, because he's more than earned it in this series. I've watched some day 2 highlights and he was a tad fortunate at times, firstly nicking off between the keeper and a wide first slip and then when the cordon tightened up a bit he nicked it through the vacant 3rd slip. Still, them's the breaks and he was happily bombing along at 5 an over at the time, so along with Duckett he probably created those bits of fortune for himself by forcing NZ into taking a man out of the cordon to try and give the bowlers some protection.

[Arthur Crabtree]

They're at it again. Ton up for Root + hundred stand with Stokes.

This is too much like mental disintegration for my stomach. Hope Gentle Ben calls it off soon.

There goes Honest Joe for 106. And the declaration.

[Arthur Crabtree]

583 to win...

[backfootpunch]

Not sure why stokes didn't declare when root got to his hundred

Cost him the red ink and an extra 0.3 or something on his average

[bigfluffylemon]

Not the most vital or pressured century Root will ever score, but they all count. Moves equal with the Wall in 5th on the all-time hundred list, and in fewer innings. Also his 100th 50+ score in tests, 4th on that all time list too.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done Joe.

NZ top order already blown away. Hope they show the home fans some resistance.

[bigfluffylemon]

Kane gone early, that's a hammer blow to NZ's already small chances of survival - you felt he'd have to bat long for NZ to have any chance at all.

Can England finish the job today?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hopeless for NZ. More likely to get the runs than bat for three days. And there's no chance they can get the runs.

[bigfluffylemon]

And Ravindra goes too. This is becoming a bloodbath. NZ need 150 more just to avoid their biggest defeat ever...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Four down. Handy start in Tests for SA born Brydon Carse.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume he's a nailed on pick now. Rather than someone rotated in. Maybe Wood to come back though.