England vs Ireland (1 ODI) & New Zealand tour (2 tests, 1 T20, 5 ODIs)

[Torz]

Reckon NZ should be upping the tempo here
Wouldn't be the worst thing if they got a few overs at England late in the day

Don't worry, Southee only knows one way.

 

[Natho]

Williamson, what a batsman.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Yeah he's not tall is he.

I quite liked his action - looked strong and powerful generating some pretty decent pace (over 90mph), but Michael Holding reckons he needs to make his run up longer so who am I to argue.

Holding used to use the sightscreen to kick-start his run-up, l don't think his judgement is perfect on other player's run-ups.

 

[Hellgood]

Holding used to use the sightscreen to kick-start his run-up, l don't think his judgement is perfect on other player's run-ups.

True.

Can sort of see his point that Wood is trying to do too much in too short a distance so that it increases the chance of something going wrong and becoming erratic when he's off his game, but it's often lamented these days that players are having these quirky traits coached out of them so maybe it's best he's just trusted to know what works for him. Bowled reasonably well and it was good to see him get a bit of reward with a couple of tailenders.

NZ on top now, although Cook and Bell settled in towards the close of play. Would 250 be enough for England to defend? Seems a long way away at the moment.

 

[Slax]

Williamson, what a batsman.

He'll finish with every single NZ batting record when he retires. Already has highest average by NZ player who scored over 1000 runs, sitting 5th on most 100s 7 behind Crowe and is only 24.

 

[ioppolo]

26 byes, 34 leg byes...Jos Butler plz.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Money shot.

 

[HBF]

Come on New Zealand.
A couple more wickets please!!!

 

[Torz]

There's a bit of spin in the deck, but Craig can't land them at the moment. Bit of a worry for NZ as the quicks are going to get bowled into the ground.

 

[frankrizzo]

English fans living here must be pissed off, foxsports arseholes cut the days play off with cook on 98*, seems like cricket is the first sport bumped by them every single time.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Hey! I was watching that!

 

[Ekomaira]

Has this disappeared from Foxtel for anyone else?

It appears so

 

[happy_eagle]

Has this disappeared from Foxtel for anyone else?

It appears so

Yep
EPL final day so those matches are on
Obviously red button is limited to 4 events

 

[Ekomaira]

Yep
EPL final day so those matches are on
Obviously red button is limited to 4 events

There's like 6 bloody channels

 

[The_Reaper]

Looks like Cook is well and truly back in form

 

[The_Reaper]

handy innings by Stokes

 

[happy_eagle]

Stokes with the fastest ton at Lords
If only there was some way to watch it on Foxtel...

 

[lewigie]

Ah yes. The ol 100 off 250 balls routine.

 

[Damon_3388]

Looks like Cook is well and truly back in form

As is Stokes, with the bat at least. Absolutely plundering the bowling at the moment. Has hit 193 runs (30 fours, 4 sixes) off just 186 balls in this match.

 

[Donnie Darko]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cr...olicy-overhaul-appointed-head-coach-week.html

Gillespie is supposed to have agreed to be head coach ,but wants a big overhaul in the way the team is run .

 

[Hellgood]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cr...olicy-overhaul-appointed-head-coach-week.html

Gillespie is supposed to have agreed to be head coach ,but wants a big overhaul in the way the team is run .

Lol, so no comment from you on the current state of play?

Stokes was absolutely sensational again, but I think he has much to owe to the discipline of Cook and Root. The way they were able to blunt the best the Kiwis could throw at them is what turned the game. Very pleased for Cook, the critics have been lining up to pot him for a very long time and whilst the question of his captaincy will still be brought up, it's great to see him batting as well as he has been. Also think that in Root and Williamson, we are seeing two guys who are going to consume a number of statistical records over the next decade.

Not sure what to make of the performance by the Kiwi seamers. All well and good to bowl with aggression, but when you're serving up that many half volleys as a result it generally doesn't hurt to try put the game back into a holding pattern.

Whilst it's certainly been a test produced for the batsmen, there's been a couple of significant twists which have made it a very interesting contest. I don't see England being able to bowl out the New Zealander's in less than a day on this pitch, but it will be intriguing to see how they want to set up the game with a declaration.

 

[Donnie Darko]

yeah sorry , should have passed comment on the game. Even though its pretty obvious its heading to a draw..
Cook will be cautious with any declaration and NZ probably have enough batting to see out a draw.

 

[damochandler]

they bowled to cooks strengths. he hardly hit a drive. that's the way to get him driving

 

[ManWithNoName]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cr...d-to-appoint-Trevor-Bayliss-as-new-coach.html

ECB have rejected Gillespie, going to get Trevor Bayliss instead.

 

[Donnie Darko]

So Gillespie has seemingly passed on the job because of Strauss' work restrictions and now we have got some z-list choice being appointed. Laughable !!!