2nd Test: NZ v England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, March 30-April 3rd, 2018

[Bazal]

Oh jesus...f**k he's lucky that was only De Bigman pace

 

[Iafeta]

Wood should open.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I was listening to the Sky Cricket podcast. There’s a keeper in their squad who has a first class average of 41.

I think the idea of Bairstow as a keeper is great if the top 6 are good bats. But, to my mind only Root in that lot is. Studefish slices across the ball. Cook is old AF now. Malans feet should be on the Easter island statue. Vince is a one trick mediocre show pony with no stickability.

I’d bat him up the order and put the young keeper in.

Ben Foakes. Haven't seen a lot of him though. Good fc average.
Completely agree on Bairstow keeping the gloves if the top 6 are good. Which they aren't at the moment.
I don't think many would disagree that Bairstow would be a even better batsmen without the gloves. Better for the team at the moment too. Strengthen the middle order. He can focus solely on batting and he could take his time to build an innings rather than be last man left with the tail.
Surely Buttler or Foakes would offer a lot more with the bat than what has been picked as batsmen over the past 2 years in England's top 6.
Worth trying I think.

 

[Das Gupta]

Ben Foakes. Haven't seen a lot of him though. Good fc average.
Completely agree on Bairstow keeping the gloves if the top 6 are good. Which they aren't at the moment.
I don't think many would disagree that Bairstow would be a even better batsmen without the gloves. Better for the team at the moment too. Strengthen the middle order. He can focus solely on batting and he could take his time to build an innings rather than be last man left with the tail.
Surely Buttler or Foakes would offer a lot more with the bat than what has been picked as batsmen over the past 2 years in England's top 6.
Worth trying I think.

I think I floated that suggestion 12 months ago. England should make Bairstow just a batsmen and bring in a keeper.
Foakes would be worth trying than the numpties that have been playing with.

 

[JohnDoe]

One of my biggest annoyances with Williamson's captaincy. Allows the game to drift too much at times.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

England: Stokes, Foakes, Woakes and 8 other blokes.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

England: Stokes, Foakes, Woakes and 8 other blokes.

The way we have been paying a few of them could be called Joakes.

 

[Bazal]

Wood doesn't mind a bit of Sodhi...

 

[Bazal]

Haha that hit off stump....no merkin can believe it, least of all Bairstow

 

[Das Gupta]

Good 50 for Wood.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

This Leach guy looks like a science teacher.

 

[Iafeta]

Such an easy batting strip. Those blokes in the top 6 who showed no toughness and an extreme lack of batting technique should have to carry the others bags for the rest of the test.

It’s a 450 wicket. It’s as benign as a well executed Brazilian.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Leach is sucking the life out of the kiwis atm.

 

[hineyrulz]

This Leach guy looks like a science teacher.

But can he make Cyrstal meth???

 

[hineyrulz]

Helluva good wagging by this tail.

 

[Bazal]

Helluva good wagging by this tail.

It's just not cricket. Back in dickety-six your tail enders were all paraplegics and if your batsmen failed that was it. You'd be tarred and feathered and made to bat the second the innings wearing nothing but your dungarees

 

[hineyrulz]

Horse blankets for all!!

 

[JJ]

Pretty good inning by Bairstow

And really classy from Southee and Boult

Poms should have done better but good recovery

 

[Iafeta]

I think the wicket is very very good for batting. Easy paced.

In the afternoon KW I believe over bowled CDG and allowed the game to drift. The bowlers had bowled long spells and looked to lack impetus. I know Sodhi got hit but he came in against a settled partnership as a last resort. He should have bowled earlier, and after the morning session, he should always be given first preference compared to CDG.

NZ let them off the hook but I think they are still well ahead.

 

[Iafeta]

Poor umpiring. We are bowling bouncers a metre over the batsmen’s heads but the umpires penalise the keeper with byes. They’re wides everyday of the week.

Excellent century Bairstow. If only he batted behind a competent top order.