England vs New Zealand, First Test at Lords

England: Cook (c), Compton, Trott, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn.
NZ: Fulton, Rutherford, Williamson, Taylor, Brownlie, McCullum (c), BJ Watling, Southee, Wagner, Boult, Martin

England win the toss and will bat first

Glad Fin has retained his place ahead of Bresnan

Looking forward to seeing how Root does with his blistering form at the start of the county championship. Bairstow has been in decent form as well so they both have a chance to lay a real marker down ahead of KP returning in the future. Could be a straight shoot out between the two for that no.6 position.

Finn over Bresnan, despite the former's not so great early season county form, in my view, is the right decision.

They're expecting a fairly flat track

Olly wrote:They're expecting a fairly flat track

Tbf, I expect the same from every Lords track. Rain about at some point also I think

The ball does indicate that its new, but nothing like significant movement in the air or off the pitch so far.

Come on Black caps, beat these boys, they are only playing at home, put da pressha on.

There is a wee bit of swing abouts this morning.

First half hour done, the England openers still intact in the middle. England 21 without loss with Cook on 9 and Compton on 7.

Hour gone, 37 without loss. Good start, platform to build on.

Good first hour for England. Southee has looked the most likely to me so far but Cook has done well to keep him out.

Boult back now...

The first hour belongs to England. Doesn't look like a pitch that the bowlers would love all that much. The first hour would have been the key, particularly with the new ball. Cook and Compton have dealt with things pretty well indeed, now its a question of staying focused and making this start count for something substantial.

Brian Wadil suggests on TMS that perhaps NZ should have gone in with Bracewell over the spinner Martin.
I don't think so. There is not a great deal of life for the seamers on this track, the spinner would at least give the skipper some additional options.

Maybe. NZ might well need a spinner if they can't force a breakthrough with the new ball though

Agreed , msp. Can't see what Bracewell would add that the other three seamers cannot exploit...at least Martin will give them some variety , which I fancy they might need later on.

Certainly doesn't look like a seamers picnic day.

Compton gone for 16, 43-1.

Hi all.

I've done it again.

I finally settle down to watch it and cook goes next ball.

I really am a jinx.

I just can't watch England can I, doh.

trebellbobaggins wrote:Hi all.

I've done it again.

I finally settle down to watch it and cook goes next ball.

I really am a jinx.

I just can't watch England can I, doh.

Keep watching please Trebs

2 down, and I've just ducked outside (on the Strand), there's a bit of a nip in the air.

Wish Cook would have bowled, slow outfield and quite a bit of swing. Dig in lads, 350 is the minimum aim!

Trebs

First time this morning I looked at the online score, Compton was out next ball, so you aren't the only jinx.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

trebellbobaggins wrote:Hi all.

I've done it again.

I finally settle down to watch it and cook goes next ball.

I really am a jinx.

I just can't watch England can I, doh.

Keep watching please Trebs

2 down, and I've just ducked outside (on the Strand), there's a bit of a nip in the air.

Yeah my kiwi family are all convinced I should sit and watch it all

dummy_half wrote:Trebs

First time this morning I looked at the online score, Compton was out next ball, so you aren't the only jinx.

They'll be banning us from watching soon.

Duty281 wrote:Wish Cook would have bowled, slow outfield and quite a bit of swing. Dig in lads, 350 is the minimum aim!

I watched the toss and was shocked he didn't. So often lords produces poor first innings when it is overcast, strange decision.

trebellbobaggins wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Wish Cook would have bowled, slow outfield and quite a bit of swing. Dig in lads, 350 is the minimum aim!

I watched the toss and was shocked he didn't. So often lords produces poor first innings when it is overcast, strange decision.

I'd imagine Anderson was wishing he was the one with the new ball for the first hour of the series.

England have gone far too defensive in my view. Of course the ball's doing things for the NZ seamers, but they just aren't scoring runs even against Martin. Not sure this is the smartest approach from Bell and Trott.

Martin: 10-7-10-1 are his bowling figures. Far too negative...just crossed 100 in the 50th over. Pick the pace up England.

Hopefully when in Root, Bairstow and Prior play to there potential and actually attempt to score at an acceptable rate

Another superb catch has removed Trott. New Zealand in control, England aren't hurting them with the scoring.

It's early days, but our fielding may be "back" (it was way below normal NZ levels last year - we tend to work hard on that to errm compensate for lack of quality in other areas)

England are 113-3 at tea. They are really making heavy weather of this first innings. 2 sessions are done, England have lost 3 wickets, and there is not a lot on the scoreboard. No need for any recklessness, but England have to stay positive here to get themselves out of a difficult corner that is partly their own making.
All credit to the New Zealand bowling unit though. They have been very disciplined so far, and they have made use of whatever little life that is there on this track.

Looks a really poor decision to bat In bowling conditions. Kiwis putting themselves in a strong position in this one.

staggered at this rate...this pitch has no demons in it.

Bell's form has been the biggest puzzle for me. Normally a free-flowing batsman, looking to attack the spinners: here he's been so passive it's unreal, missing out on full-tosses, lazy running, etc. A bit bizarre really, reminiscent of the "old" Ian Bell.

I don't care about the pitch this run rate is unacceptable. We are at home against one of the lower ranked teams and seem to be scared to death of them. Its a feeble performance so far.

Root at least looks like he's trying a bit to be busy, though not exactly scoring fast. Bell looks scared if anything, bizarre the way he's patting half-volleys back...

At least there does seem as if there will be spin for Swann later in the game.

Need to get 200 by the end of the day surely

Yes exactly. I have heard a bit of the commentary and in one recent over Bell should have taken 2 or 3 boundaries off long hops from Martin but scored nothing.

Martin is bowling poorly but has an economy rate of <1.5 as I type - letting bad bowling tie him down is incredibly poor for one of our most experienced players.

Root's at least showing intent to dispatch the bad balls

It's raining on the Strand. Could be an early finish.

Bell goes.

Just what we needed before the new ball Ian. Pathetic shot

Not good enough from Bell. Senior player my a***, what a joke of an innings that was.

A pathetic effort from Ian Bell. His terrible scoring rate held England back throughout the day ever since he came to the wicket, and one over before new ball time, he got out playing a poor shot. Horrible performance.

What a sorry day this has been. I'd prefer to bury my head and pretend it never happened, hopefully Prior can up the rate when he gets in.

Test cricket? In England? the damn rain has to arrive at some point, and too bloody well it does!!.

Play abandoned for the day. Weather looks OK for tomorrow though, should be able to make up this time.

That wicket of Bell made what was probably narrowly NZ's day definitely NZ's day. If they can pick up two early wickets tomorrow with the new ball then they will back themselves to roll England for sub 250 which would be below par for sure.

NZ's day most certainly. England looked all meek and scared with the bat. NZ will have the new ball first thing tomorrow, and Root and Bairstow will have to start all over again.

Haven't seen any of today's play

Will be watching on Five at 7pm

Been a bit of a slow day. Frustrating that when someone gets settled at the crease, they seem to get out. A big innings from Root could be huge and he could be well on his way for a big summer. Can see England's cricketer of the year Prior, getting his usual 50 or so up.

What on earth was Nick Compton doing threw his wicket away completely.

--didn't follow any cricket throughout the day...and looked at the shocking scoreline this evening.

--caught highlights on Cricket on 5 seeing the shocking 160-4 and hold your breath in 80 overs, 30 maidens...and my first thought was "i told you watch out for this NZ side in more seam helping conditions" when i saw them in unhelpful India"

--Eng are perennially preparing for Ashes as they have called this series.....they might actually win Ashes and lose or draw this series.
NZ seam bowling is as competent in English and NZ conditions as that of any...but it was shocking to see them play Martin the way they did in these non spinning conditions......and Martin dropped a fairly straight-forward c&b.

--Eng are really in grave danger...have looked leaden footed, not fully competent in covering the movement of good quality fast medium and disciplined bowling...and worst sin played far more cautious then they needed to.

and if they lose quick 2 wickets tomorrow morning.....and are bundled for 250ish...which looks a distinct possibility and one good solid effort from NZ and Eng might be looking down the barrel again.