Morning all, well even if we go onto lose this test, its been fun to watch. Whether this is the kind of cricket that can consistently win test matches remains to be seen even if we go onto win.

We did something similar under Bayliss and it was hit and miss but we were generally a lot better at home so that's a place we need to get back to at the very least.

The positive thing is we've posted 2 scores now of over 250 back to back with Root scoring a total of 8 runs so there are contributions elsewhere. Obviously his runs have still hugely contributed to both our wins and it may be that he gets a good score in the 2nd which enables a 3rd win.

comment by ●Billy The Spur● 20*21*22* ENIC OUT! (U3924)
posted 13 minutes ago
People like to slate Bairstow while at the same time championing inferior players, they also forget he has played around half of his tests as a wicket keeper, has been up and down the order with no settled position in the batting order, and been dropped in favour of inferior players (Butler, Foakes).

It is good to see him doing well and proving all his critics wrong.
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The majority of his knocks have been at 5/6/7, its not like he gets moved to a different position every game. If he had been consistent then he would have held whatever position he wanted.

14 innings at 3
2 at 4
41 at 5
49 at 6
44 at 7
3 at 8

After 2016 when he was ridiculously good, he had 5 years of inconsistent performances with a technical deficiency of missing straight balls.

Butler was good when he first came back into the side but didn't kick on and get more hundreds. I've no doubt he will play again at some point though considering the way we are trying to play.

Foakes is top keeper with a decent batting record in FC cricket.

The criticism of Bairstow had been justified just like the praise he is receiving now is justified.

I don't mind the slating but my issue is the replacements? England imo have bigger issues up the top of the order than Bairstow's inconsistent form.

150 for Bairstow.

Overton.

Overton looked nervous all morning.

Gutted for him

Damn

Real shame that, gutted for him

Still a great innings and partnership though

Ah gutted for Overton

Great knock though

comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 39 minutes ago
I don't mind the slating but my issue is the replacements? England imo have bigger issues up the top of the order than Bairstow's inconsistent form.
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True but at the same time we had decent options to come into the middle order and keep wicket so you can still strengthen in areas where you're not as weak.

Broad got somewhere to be?

Broady teeing off is always a great watch

Broad doing a job

Good innings thar

All out for 360, a nice little lead of 31. England slight favourites.

Foakes has a bad back so Bairstow takes the gloves.

comment by Blue Heaven (U20912)
posted 34 minutes ago
All out for 360, a nice little lead of 31. England slight favourites.
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I'd say so given what has happened in the series so far, they'll probably want to score at least 330 to get that lead over 300 even though this pitch isn't flat but if England can see off the new ball without too much damage then they'll back themselves to go after anything that is set.

Potts has got to take the ball after lunch, giving Leach a couple of overs made sense but let's attack with Broad and Potts after lunch.

Need a wicket

Neo needs to bring his facking A game here. Not good enough.

If NZ are 175/200+ before they get their 200 additional runs from the Mitchell/Blundell partnership then its surely a NZ win as we will try to chase it down even if it's 380ish on the final day.

Bad drop by Root.

He’s put down a few follies recently

*dollies

Just seen the drop. That’s shocking from Root. Latham had started walking

Overton gets Latham right after tea.