Sports 🏏 Black Caps

[Ever Hopeful]

A decent enough day's work. O'Rourke will be a handful on this pitch.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

South Africa 150/8 with allrounder Mulder retired hurt. If he can't bowl they are in some trouble.

Tbh it is weird to see them in such a strong position for the WTC. Good bowlers, but a pretty poor batting line-up compared to others. Sri Lanka on the other hand are in the mix after uncovering really promising new talent.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

...and Sri Lanka 9/3

 

[mrblonde]

Cricinfo's comment was it's Sri Lanka's batting v South Africa's bowling that'll decide the series.
No credit to the amount of rain-dancing I'm doing!

Cricinfo might need to rethink their "Sri Lanka's batting is kick-ass!" argument right about now: 16/4 is nobody's idea of kick-ass....

 

[mrblonde]

And good old Sri Lanka just made a record: Lowest Innings Total in a Test. It was 71. But the current crowd just cruised past that to make it now 42. Yep, worst by 29.

And they went and beat us 2-0 in a Test series not too long ago...

Bright side: It means Sri Lanka are worser than our 45 all out against South Africa in Capetown in 2013.

 

[Bay39er]

And good old Sri Lanka just made a record: Lowest Innings Total in a Test. It was 71. But the current crowd just cruised past that to make it now 42. Yep, worst by 29.

And they went and beat us 2-0 in a Test series not too long ago...

Bright side: It means Sri Lanka are worser than our 45 all out against South Africa in Capetown in 2013.

Their lowest test score not the lowest which unfortuneately is held by NZ 26 v England at Auckland in 1955

 

[jonesy101]

With Sri Lanka heading to a loss it's imperative we win this test to switch places with them on the WTC table. Provided India continue to beat Australia there is an opening, but it may take a 3-0 sweep over England which is going to take some getting.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

I never know what England are going to score. They could just as easily get 450 as be all out for 190 with a number of the better players being caught out on the boundary playing T20 shots. Root aside, the tactics are usually madness. If New Zealand have decent spinners we are knackered

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I never know what England are going to score. They could just as easily get 450 as be all out for 190 with a number of the better players being caught out on the boundary playing T20 shots. Root aside, the tactics are usually madness. If New Zealand have decent spinners we are knackered

It has been good to see Root recalculate his approach because in the early days of Bazzball he was getting out to maddening shots. He left a lot of runs on the table that he is too good to forego

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

It has been good to see Root recalculate his approach because in the early days of Bazzball he was getting out to maddening shots. He left a lot of runs on the table that he is too good to forego

I wish Brook would do the same. Hugely talented with shots all round the wicket but plays like a maniac at times

 

[jonesy101]

Smith looks a good prospect, just overstepping a bit which he needs to sort out but wow Joe Root gone as I type!

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Smith looks a good prospect, just overstepping a bit which he needs to sort out but wow Joe Root gone as I type!

I'd trade a couple of oversteps for Joe Root.

Smith looks pretty good.

 

[WA Warrior]

Some bloody poor catching.
Smith the poor buggar.

 

[jonesy101]

Some bloody poor catching.
Smith the poor buggar.

Unusual today as they caught everything in India. Smith should have four by now.

 

[Inruin]

https://fb.watch/w910x9DaSp/

Philips......

 

[Possum11]

Overall it was England day

 

[John Nick]

https://fb.watch/w910x9DaSp/

Philips......

Unbelievable

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Blundell needs to take his catches at the very least. It is tough keeping in India, but he hasn't been as tidy as he could have been in addition to a lack of runs. England were rescued by their wicket keeper batsman. We need more.

Untidy Kiwis, great chance slipping away here

 

[MurrayTD]

Atrocious fielding today, 5 easy catches put down, simply not good enough. Phillips drop at gully when Brooks was 18 could sadly decide the test. Tom Latham with 3 easy drops, sadly an absolute disaster...very hard to watch.

 

[Inruin]

Blundell needs to take his catches at the very least. It is tough keeping in India, but he hasn't been as tidy as he could have been in addition to a lack of runs. England were rescued by their wicket keeper batsman. We need more.

Untidy Kiwis, great chance slipping away here

And Philips needs to bat ahead of him. Feels like we are leaving runs out on the field with him having to try and manipulate the strike with the tail.