Day 5 - 1st Test - New Zealand v England Livescorecardhttp://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1088 ... z-2017-18/This COULD be an entertaining day's play (or not). At least the weather looks good (so far)
There is a chance that England can play "a proper test innings" and save the game... at least survive all day for an exciting finish with either side in with a chance up to the last few overs.
Of course England can not "win"... but they can save the game with a draw... so a draw might be considered as an England victory.
Test cricket includes the need at times to bat out time. It is a skill in itself. A skill not seen so much these days. Test cricket players have benefited from batting (and bowling) skills developed and brought across from "Limited overs cricket", but there has (perhaps) been a downside with some test skills lost, or at least not utilized as they once were? Overall it's probably been a plus for Test cricket... I do remember some long drawn out(boring) bits of Test cricket, but at times a battle between bat and ball, with few runs or wickets can be an enthralling thing to watch.
Who knows what we will get today? Sadly it may well be England wickets falling early.. a collapse and game over very early, but lets hope it at least lasts most of the day(and night)
England don't NEED to score runs at all. Of course pre-meditated leaving/blocking every ball contrary to normal style of play can lead to a batsman's demise, so to some extent they do need to "play a normal game", but there is little point in risky singles (risking a run-out) or swashbuckling big hits.. risking being caught. It is true that the batting side need to "rotate the strike" rather than allow bowlers to work them over for 6 balls, and so "safe" singles are desirable for that reason as opposed to increasing the score, and "safe" boundaries scored against a bowler also "put him off his stride... again desirable for that reason as opposed to increasing the score.
Having said all that... It is VERY unlikely (in 98 overs), but IF England can wipe off the deficit and even get a small lead, it means NZ have to bat again. Game drawn for sure!
This is NOT likely. England would need to adopt a different (aggressive) style of play from the outset. Score at 3 -4 per over, and still not lose wickets.
-------------------------
IMO England might well view their task session by session. NZ need 2 wickets per session, so England can view surviving each session without losing a wicket as a victory.
And breaking that down further... England need to bat each hour without losing a wicket.
-------------------------
Wagner's bowling RUBBISH!
England have to hold out.. less than an hour. New ball due in 10 overs... bowling now is just going thru the motions, NZ will be hoping for great things as soon as they take the new ball, just before tea. If England survive that they will go to tea satisfied
#BarmyArmy
-------------------------
Bairstow out... what was he thinking
England just had to survive a few over to the new ball.
England 58 & 181/5 * (72.4 ov)
-------------------------
2nd New Ball taken
England 58 & 204/5 * (80 ov)
New Zealand 427/8d
Day 5 - Session 1: England trail by 165 runs with 5 wickets remaining------------------------
LIGHT RAIN... West Auckland... just sayin'
------------------------
Ali OUT... tea taken
------------------------
Login
FAQ
Do not go gentle into that good night.
