Eng Test tour of NZ, Nov 28 - Dec 18

[Arthur Crabtree]

Others, Hull, Tongue, C.Overton, Potts, Mahmood, Fisher, Archer, Stone, S.Curran.

[Durhamfootman]

A thumping win. England seem much happier batting on seam friendly pitches. NZ seem to have been all over the place in this series

Interesting that Stokes chose to declare whilst on 49 not out

[Durhamfootman]

maybe NZ will do a Pakistan; rake and dry out an old pitch and bring Santner, Sodhi and Patel into the side

[bigfluffylemon]

maybe NZ will do a Pakistan; rake and dry out an old pitch and bring Santner, Sodhi and Patel into the side

Too late now. The first test England got a bit lucky. Second they've outclassed the Kiwis thoroughly. Hard to believe it's the same side that just swept India in India.

[alfie]

NZ will be disappointed with the way these matches have gone. Poor catching had a fair bit to do with the first one but they've been totally outclassed here. They really haven't been able to come to terms with the extremely aggressive approach of the England bats - obviously driven mainly by Harry Brook in these games but the principal applies throughout the order . And it has largely worked on the pitches provided : somehow doubt an Asian type spin-friendly surface is a practical option for NZ.

Do wonder if NZ made a mistake by going away from some of their matchwinners from the Indian tour ? Had their reasons of course (different conditions , and obviously Williamson was coming back) But for Young and Santner to be ignored even after the first Test loss...something about the wisdom of not messing too much with a winning team ?

England will be delighted with that. Runs for all except Crawley (who must have run over a Kiwi in a past life or something) and all the pace men did well. Brook's innings was exceptional and a worthy PoTM despite claims of Carse after more excellent bowling. Might be some rest and rotation of those pace men but otherwise can't see much reason to change anything.

On to Hamilton. No doubt the locals will be after salvaging some pride. Suspect we might see a tighter contest but we will see...

[Durhamfootman]

On to Hamilton. No doubt the locals will be after salvaging some pride

England's intensity might drop now the series is won

[sussexpob]

Do wonder if NZ made a mistake by going away from some of their matchwinners from the Indian tour ? Had their reasons of course (different conditions , and obviously Williamson was coming back) But for Young and Santner to be ignored even after the first Test loss...something about the wisdom of not messing too much with a winning team ?

In the last decade, NZ has the historical outlier of being the country where it's better to bat in the second innings as the pitches get harder and firmer. Spinners dont do well in the second innings, so I guess that factored into it.

[alfie]

Do wonder if NZ made a mistake by going away from some of their matchwinners from the Indian tour ? Had their reasons of course (different conditions , and obviously Williamson was coming back) But for Young and Santner to be ignored even after the first Test loss...something about the wisdom of not messing too much with a winning team ?

In the last decade, NZ has the historical outlier of being the country where it's better to bat in the second innings as the pitches get harder and firmer. Spinners dont do well in the second innings, so I guess that factored into it.

Yes that is true - and doubtless had a lot to do with it. Although when the two sides met last year Leach did take 8 (expensive !) wickets for England in the match. But it did also seem that Phillips presented absolutely no threat to the England bats and therefore increased the load on the pace men...

To be honest I am not at all sure a different combination would have actually made that much difference. I guess I just like to - wherever possible - keep players who are in winning form together unless there are very compelling reasons to do otherwise. Will be interesting to see what they do for the third game , no ? One change - perhaps conveniently - has been forced with the out of sorts Conway absent for family reasons ; so Young can walk back in.

[sussexpob]

I don't agree with it, just saying that as the reason why I think they did it. Pitches in NZ are helpful for pace bowling first up, then get flatter and produce more runs, and once the pitches dry out and firm up, there is nowt there for the spinner.

But against Bazball, someone like Santner who is excellent at his best in ODI cricket tying batsman up.... would have been interesting. Maybe no turn or bounce, but just get the ball flat and tight into the batsman, give him nothing to get under and hit.... and if some late uneven bounce comes in, then all the better.

Would have been better than picking Southee, who looks like hes spent the last year already on his retirement beach and is finished as an international calibre cricketer. O'Rourke has also crumbled at the sight of Bazball, got hit a few times and has sprayed it everywhere.

[backfootpunch]

Orourke reminds me a lot of morne morkel

Similar height
Similar pace
Similar action
Bowl a Similar length, perhaps a fraction too short so he gets a lot of play and misses. Then gets a bit floaty when going full.

Capable of taking 5-20 in a spell but just as likely to end up 0-120

Iv watched a lot of the cricket live and southee apart the kiwis have bowled well. They've been let down by the fielding and captaincy.

Latham seems to have no plan for bazball, other than spreading the field and hoping they get out. Brook and pope have punished him for being too passive in both games.

[andy]

One change for England for third test...Potts in for woakes

[meninblue]

Will Zak Crawley get another game. Just seen the squad, seems like there is no backup opener for this tour.

[backfootpunch]

They may open with duckett and bethell when smith slots back in.

Bethell has basically opened in this series anyway.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So Pope back to 3.

England bowl.

[Durhamfootman]

Crawley, Duckett, Bethell, Root, Brook, Pope (wk), Stokes, Atkinson, Carse, Potts, Bashir