3rd Test: New Zealand v England at Auckland Mar 22-26, 2013

[TheParraboy]

374 ahead, 6 wickets left

get to 450 asap then declare imo

 

[JJ]

we're 8th in the world, batting looks ok at the moment... be nice to not give them a sniff... I think our quicks are up to it, and Martin will bowl better than Monty has

 

[TheParraboy]

402 run lead now, Fulton ton coming up

I can see a declaration sometime after the lunch break

 

[JJ]

What a session by NZ... never thought I'd write that... 141 for 1 in 26 overs, Fulton 91* and McCullum 44*...

Only issue is that will make them nervous about declaring too soon...

I was happy with how we'd gone before this test, really happy now... hopefully nobody sees an immediate need for Guppy in the test team now...

I saw somewhere that if Fulton gets 9 more runs he's the first Kiwi since Andrew Jones in about 91 to get a century in both digs, and I think just teh 3rd ever (Turner is my guess at the other)... really hope he does it!!

 

[JJ]

the big man on 99* and hits Broad for 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LEGEND - 2 Metre Peter, I am a fan!!!!

 

[Meth]

I have been a massive critic of Peter Fulton in the past, but he has been superb in this series and, in particular, in this game. A well deserved moment in the sun.

 

[vvvrulz]

Fulton gets to 100 by smashing Broad over his head for six.
We could be seeing his prime years now.

 

[JJ]

and out, but what an innings

 

[Timbo]

Great effort by Fulton. With Rutherford looking decent, it should be the end of Guptill in tests for good.

The average 4th innings score at Auckland is 177, and that number has become lower since they started using drop in decks.

Kiwis should have a huge win here.

 

[Meth]

McCullum is in devastating form. Moving down the order has revolutionized his game.

 

[vvvrulz]

McCullum is in devastating form. Moving down the order has revolutionized his game.

Was just gonna say, finally he's come right and seems comfortable with his role and is batting in the right spot. He's in devastating form, finally turning into the match winner he promised to be for so long.

This could be the beginning of another spike in NZ cricket.

 

[JJ]

into the match winner he promised to be for so long.

This could be the beginning of another spike in NZ cricket.

Signs are good that the team is improving, maybe we should leave it at that for now...

Certainly we have a young group that has talent, and if Taylor and McCullum can be consistent who knows...

 

[JJ]

leads 479, is he worried that batting's not too difficult?

 

[Scott]

Anyone know where I can get some Fulton humble pie??

Seriously, i have never rated him at all. He's been terrible, always looked like he was about to cry!

Wow, what a series he has had. Looks to really know his game now. Outstanding achievement. Amazing actually.

 

[JJ]

480 to win it is...

 

[vvvrulz]

We have a solid group of players from 1 to 11 as opposed to 2-3 test match players and a bunch of bits and pieces utility boys. I don't think we've had anything like that in about a decade of test cricket.

If Ryder comes back too we finally have a team that can compete at least with most, if not all other than South Africa.

 

[JJ]

looks like McCullum wanted to go on a bit longer, I tend to agree if only to rub it in, and be 100% certain we can't be beaten...

 

[jamaman]

The Poms will be 5 out by tea

 

[Meth]

Boult bowling superb there. Looks very promising.

 

[JJ]

FMD am I dreaming?

The two at the crease now are the key, I think...