England v New Zealand Test Series 2026

[sussexpob]

Brook drops Nicholls ...

[sussexpob]

Brook drops Nicholls ...

And then catches him straight after....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Game seems to be slowing down.

[Arthur Crabtree]

50 partnership. England desperately need Bashir to contribute.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Archer's back on and another injury delay.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A blow on the hands. Maybe NZ looking to run down the clock.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Plucky fightback from Ravindra and Mitchell after the early wickets. But days 2&3 both featured collapses in the morning sessions, so maybe we'll see the same
tomorrow.

[Durhamfootman]

Plus, Northants were 139-2, a lead of 184. They ended up setting Durham a target of 293 and Durham chased it down in 2 sessions for the loss of only 4 wickets

I say this only to point out that NZ's lead is still fragile and could easily go pear shaped pretty quickly and perhaps only set a target of 300-350, which they then have to defend with their 'A' change bowlers opening the bowling, followed by their 'B' and now also 'C' change bowlers.

Stokes has just been involved in a match following a similar game pattern where the home side ended up winning, and winning well, so I'm sure he'll still believe that England can do this

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hmm. I bet NZ would take that 350 right now...

[Durhamfootman]

I would, if i was them

England would take 300, I'm sure

[sussexpob]

The match isn't over, and the pitch hasn't yet turned into a consistent problem, but there are enough balls out there that just grip and come in low, or the odd ball that has trampolined off it to make it really hard to get settled.

England got ragged after Ravindra got in. Lots of misfields, a terrible drop, lost discipline by bowling too full. The last hour was summed up by Bashir looping a 2 meter high beamer at Ravindra which I can honestly say is the worst ball I have seen bowled ik my life watching cricket, and include village under 12s in that.

But I'm dying at home in this heat. I can't imagine what it's like spending 7 hours in direct sunlight in the hese conditions.. Everyone on both sides must has suffered, but with england behind the game the cracks appeared there first. And as they've bowled more. General comms consensus is 250 wins you the game.

Will take a mammoth effort for England to avoid a loss.

What is it about Medium fast bowlers chocking england on top of off stuff that just seems to work, bonus if the keeper is up? Foulkes joins Henry, Neser and Boland who has changed matches just dotting it consistently.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Even KP wouldn't complain about an ice-bath after a day like today.

[sussexpob]

I think any hope's England had of avoiding defeat have been somewhat crushed in the last two Stokes overs....

First, a ball to Mitchell on a length trampoline's and smacks Mitchell on the arm from nowhere, the next over on a similar length the ball skids along the floor and passes under Ravindra's bat.

Bounce variations slowly becoming more extreme and consistent. I imagine by tomorrow this will be very tough to bat on, and considering the puffs of dust accompanying the landing of the ball, Santner might also get some sharp turn

[sussexpob]

Guess NZ are fairly confident they can bowl out England, as they don't seem to be concerned with pushing the game on in a hurry. Safety first approach.

[sussexpob]

I do like watching Ravindra bat. Don't see many players so technically compact like him nowadays, classic and simple approach. Put it on his pads, see you later, put it too full in the slot see you later. Just feel he loses concentration and lacks a bit of self-belief at times, but when he gets going he looks a very good player