I am craving tea now.

Interesting about the ball with black stitching.
Do they change balls now before NZ bats?

Loved that bit about fishing! LOL Nice boat too.
----------------
The BlackCaps invited Obama to the match via Twitter.





A quick look at England's scorecard

I was away cooking... so no idea what you are on about
Yes. They start innings with a new ball. Have option of a 2nd new ball after 80 overs.

------------
Black Caps invited Obama?? ..... that's me finished with them
I'm joining the Barmy Army!!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

New Zealand 1st Innings Wickets - 1st Test - New Zealand v England


1st Wicket
JA Raval c †Bairstow b Anderson 3 (23b 0x4 0x6) SR: 13.04
New Zealand 8/1 * (8.2 ov)
--------------------
2nd Wicket
TWM Latham c Woakes b Broad 26 (112b 3x4 0x6) SR: 23.21
New Zealand 92/2 * (37.5 ov)
--------------------
3rd Wicket
LRPL Taylor c Woakes b Anderson 20 (35b 3x4 0x6) SR: 57.14
New Zealand 123/3 * (47.2 ov)
--------------------
CENTURY - Williamson
A NZ individual record (18*) Number of career centuries
New Zealand 197/3 * (77.5 ov)
--------------------
RAIN Delay
New Zealand 197/3 * (79 ov)
--------------------
4th Wicket
KS Williamson lbw b Anderson 102 (220b 11x4 1x6) SR: 46.36
New Zealand 206/4 * (83.6 ov)
--------------------
ANOTHER RAIN DELAY
New Zealand 229/4 * (92.1 ov)
--------------------
DAY 3 RAIN DELAY
New Zealand 233/4 * (95 ov)
-----------------
5th Wicket
BJ Watling c †Bairstow b Broad 31 (65b 5x4 0x6) SR: 47.69
New Zealand 261/5 * (106.2 ov)
--------------------
6th Wicket
C de Grandhomme c †Bairstow b Overton 29 (39b 5x4 1x6) SR: 74.35
New Zealand 309/6 * (115.6 ov)
New Zealand lead by 251 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
7th Wicket
TD Astle b Broad 18 (35b 3x4 0x6) SR: 51.42
New Zealand 341/7 * (125.2 ov)
New Zealand lead by 283 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
CENTURY - Nicholls
New Zealand 347/7 * (126.5 ov)
New Zealand lead by 289 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
8th Wicket
TG Southee c & b Root 25 (42b 2x4 0x6) SR: 59.52
New Zealand 413/8 * (139.1 ov)
New Zealand lead by 355 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
DECLARATION
England 58
New Zealand 427/8d * (141 ov)

New Zealand lead by 369 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

"Dinner Break" - DAY 1 - 1st Test New Zealand V England


England 58 (20.4 ov)
New Zealand 88/1 * (37 ov)

Day 1 - Session 2: New Zealand lead by 30 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the innings

Minimum overs remaining 32 (2 behind on over rate, but I assume they can be made up in "overtime")




Report back in 40 minutes (7:00 PM NZST)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I heard the commentators say long ago when NZ started to bat, that the RR really didn't matter.

What is a good SR for a player in TEST cricket?

I can remember thinking they needed to score with every bowl, didn't understand why they didn't bat hard, and you explained why this doesn't happen in Test cricket.
---------------
Okay, thanks.
Makes sense, time and wickets most important.

RR and SR kinda dont matter in themselves in a Test... but TIME matters. In most cases there needs to be TIME to play 4 innings... or even if one side ends up batting just one innings... they will need TIME to reach a target. Having said all that... I still disagree with commentators (Scott Styris) saying it does not matter at all that Nz (Latham) are going so slow. That MIGHT be true if they played all of 5 days... and already one innings is complete, but.. you can not ignore the weather totally. They are NOT going to play all 5 days and so they do need to get on with scoring IMO.

ETA
Wickets are more important than RR in Test cricket. To win one side needs to take 20 wickets.
The other forms of the game are LIMITED OVER cricket.. The score total, and so RR (and individual SR) become more important than wickets as such. A test match can be won or lost with big scores, or with small scores over several sessions.. provided there is time to bowl the opposition out... twice.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

STUMPS DAY 1 - 1st Test New Zealand V England

England 58 (20.4 overs)
New Zealand 175/3 * (69 ov)

New Zealand lead by 117 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

Williamson 91* (177)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

1st Test New Zealand V England - DAY 2

Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1088 ... z-2017-18/

Play SCHEDULED to start in an hour and a half...
I was contemplating posting that the weather had improved... it's been sunny all morning...

But I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!!

It is RAINING NOW!! A shower then drizzle.. then rain again...

Four Seasons in One Day

Sun shines on the black clouds hanging over The Domain (and Eden Park)





ETA - Prematch BS Show
Not raining and Covers are OFF... but "thundery showers" forcast later today and tomorrow.
Where I am it's still steady "drizzle" flaring up into what I would call "rain" at times.
I believe my weather foretells what will arrive at Eden Park in 20 minutes (or so)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

CENTURY - Williamson

His 18th.. in his 64th match. A NZ individual record. Number of career centuries

New Zealad
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/newzealan ... ;type=team

All Nations
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/conten ... 27046.html

18* is well down the list of all nations.. but to be fair NZ does not play as many tests as other nations and Williamson is still playing and so may well add to this record.

The top is Sachin Tendulkar (INDIA) with 51 Centuries over 200 matches

-------
New Zealand NOW need to get on with scoring

This game will lose some time, there will not be 5 full days of play, and there are no prizes for simply occupying the crease for a longer time

New Zealand 197/3 * (77.5 ov)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

RAIN Delay



England 58
New Zealand 197/3 * (79 ov)

New Zealand lead by 139 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

-------------
Bowling England out for 58 runs in just 20 overs is by far the BEST EVER NZ bowling result V England (or anybody else).

Williamson's 18th century is a HISTORIC cricket personal milestone.

But... it all counts for NOTHING if the game simply drags on to a draw.

Just sayin'

New Zealand NEED to bat with a WIN in mind!! (and likelihood of much more time lost to rain).

I KNOW the common "wisdom" is to be cautious.. absolutely ensure that you can not LOSE before going all out for a win... but at times... fortune favors the brave. Besides... NZ are already in a position where an England win is close to impossible. The odds of that happening are small. They need to "bat like warrior poets" NOW!! IMHO

---------------
They are taking the TEA BREAK

Play will resume at 3.50pm weather permitting

I assume than on the face of it we have "lost" 13 overs? I further assume that they can be made up with some "overtime" and perhaps an early start tomorrow?

Proposed 2 sessions
3:50 to 6:20
(Dinner 6:20 to 7:00)
7:00 to 9:30

In THEORY that should make up all overs lost (so far) today... we'll see

Note: new ball available after next over

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

2nd New Ball taken




England 58
New Zealand 197/3 * (80 ov)

----------------------
ANOTHER RAIN DELAY



England 58
New Zealand 229/4 * (92.1 ov)

New Zealand lead by 171 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Well, that's a real shame the rain is back. But you called it earlier, Rumpole.

I'll check in a little later.



-----------------------
Makes perfect sense. I've been wondering how you thought this could end, or at lease how it SHOULD end..

This is why you are my favorite Cricket teacher.

With deGrandhomme coming up, more the reason to stay up until stumps.

Actually... I could have told them last year that a Test Match in Auckland towards the end of March would involve Rain delays

The only hope for a result (IMO) is for NZ to score a few more runs in a hurry.. and put England back in and bowl them out. England batting later today would be good
de Grandhomme in at next wicket fall. DECLARE once de Grandhomme is out
---------
Minimum overs remaining = 66.5
Means they have NOT completed the equivalent of 1 session today

-------------
Last live shot looked BLEAK.
Rain still coming down, and even if/when it stops there will be a long delay.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Well actually... I think it should end in a draw...

now that Blackcaps have come out for Obama, and I joined the Barmy army.

--------------
We are hoping for play to be back underway at the end of the scheduled dinner break at 7pm.
Umpires set to do an inspection at 6.50pm,
I assume they will play an extra half hour? So maybe 35+ overs session?

-------------
Inspection.. done in the rain with umbrellas
I think they had just as well all go home (the spectators have)... report back tomorrow... maybe Sunday?

---------
Covers are off and field being prepared... inspection at 8:30 Pm and possibility of 80 minutes max. play.

I REALLY dont know why they are bothering

-------------
Playing (maybe) 80 minutes in the middle of the night on a wet field is NOT really in the tradition of Test cricket. It does not help in the bid to convince people that Day/night Tests are in line with the proud 200 year history and tradition of Test Cricket... just sayin'

------------
ANOTHER inspection at 9:00 Pm.... maybe play half hour

FFS GO HOME!!!!
Start a half hour (or more) early tomorrow
Or make that Sunday... if it's a crap day tomorrow.

----------
After all that... they called it a day at 9:00

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

STUMPS DAY 2 - 1st Test New Zealand V England

England 58 (20.4 overs)
New Zealand 229/4 * (92.1 ov)

New Zealand lead by 171 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

DAY 3 - 1st Test New Zealand V England

Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1088 ... z-2017-18/

I am reluctant to comment on weather ahead of the game... it's Aucland and so could CHANGE

But FWIW it has been overcast, but no rain this morning. (2 hours ahead of play)

--------------------------
ETA
An hour to go and RAIN where I am
Looks like an "all day" condition and not just a "shower"

---------------
Pre-match BS show
Looks a bit better at Eden Park than here (West Auckland). Officials say play WILL START ON TIME.

In fact.. they are starting NOW... starting half hour early to catch up.
98 overs scheduled today after Ali has completed his part over from last night.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer... but I doubt this will last.

----------------
RAIN DELAY



England 58
New Zealand 233/4 * (95 ov)

New Zealand lead by 175 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the innings

-------------------
Rain and more heavy rain..... Sky sports showing a replay of WC qualifier in Zimbabwe... WI V Scotland... and THAT game was abandoned because of rain



---------------
I have even had "Rain Fade" causing Sky TV signal to fail which means HEAVY rain somewhere between West Auckland and the Sky Tower in Auckland Central (close enough to Eden Park)... just sayin'

--------------------
Still raining They'll be taking tea in Auckland from 3.30 pm to 3.50 pm. How nice

---------------------
The last report and live shot showed rain was stopped (I doubt that lasts). Outfield being dried with a blower on a tractor and the cover still on the pitch.. showing pools of water. I was surprised to hear commentator say that they would just tip the water off the cover? That sounds NUTS to me. If close to the pich then it means a wet patch near the pitch. Even if he meant they drag the cover away.. then still a wet patch in the outfield.

I think Eden Park need to invest in "SuperSopper" Technology (ex Australia)

At least one of the little one to push over the wet covers before moving them.

Super Sopper Water Removal System



Super Sopper
http://www.supersopper.com.au/

-------------------

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I've closed my cricket tabs (ESPN just has a rain delay notice, nothing live or I'd watch SkySport talk about whatever), sooooo will just check here every now and then.

Thanks

STUMPS DAY 3 - 1st Test New Zealand V England

England 58
New Zealand 233/4 * (95 ov)

New Zealand lead by 175 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

DAY 4 - 1st Test New Zealand V England

Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1088 ... z-2017-18/

Weather
With the usual Caveat (it's Auckland) the morning is fine, and looks like staying that way (for 2 days)

---------------
If we get (most of) 2 days play, NZ has a good chance of winning. They perhaps need to bat today and increase their lead (250+), but they do need TIME to bowl England out. IMO they need to declare today (after 1 session) and give themselves 2 sessions today, and all of tomorrow (weather permitting) to take 10 wickets.
On the other hand.. England can "save the game" and play out TIME and hold out for a draw.

-------------
DANG!
After 3 days on one channel... SKY switched to another....I was watching wrong channel
98 overs scheduled today.

-------------------
De Granhomme in. Whatever he does.... IMO NZ should declare when he gets out.
New Zealand lead by 203 runs with 5 wickets remaining in the innings

------------
Commentators (like Styris) are suggesting NZ bat on through next session
I disagree... If NZ are not going to declare soon... then I hope they are all out and innings ended that way. In fact they COULD bat like hell right now.. score a few quick runs... or get out in a blaze of Glory

-----------
De Grandhomme OUT. I'd give Nicholls (81) a shot at a century now... then declare
New Zealand lead by 251 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings

---------------------
England's ONLY HOPE to save this game is to use up time. At the moment NZ are doing that for England.. just sayin'

-----------------

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Lovin' your commentary, Rumpole.

I am hoping Nicholls gets a century before tea.
If not, I am betting NZ come back next session and give him a chance.