Safe hands spur on England
For a rather cumbersome, unathletic team, in Hamilton, turning four half-chances into wickets to take the advantage.
This must be tempered, however, by the likelihood that Ian Bell will be unable to contribute much with the bat; he picked up a nasty knock on the right hand at short leg, and although nothing is broken, it is very swollen.
New Zealand should have been targeting a score in excess of 450 in very benign, lifeless conditions, but only two batsmen, and Ross Taylor, played with the patience and discipline required.
England tried their best to smother the scoring rate and generally, this was successful although neither Steve Harmison nor Matthew Hoggard was in top form.
Hoggard lacked nip, and with the ball barely swinging, was an easy target for Brendon McCullum’s entertaining assault late in the day, while Harmison was wayward too often.
Monty Panesar looked anxious to begin with but bowled better as the day progressed - and his relief showed when he took his wicket, via a brilliant catch by Paul Collingwood at slip. It was the perfect example of how to field in that position – staying low with hands at shin height – but Alastair Cook was the man of the day.
Hardly renowned for his fielding, Cook has spent much of his fledgling Test career being hidden, normally at short leg. Today he found himself in the slip cordon, and his first effort was a sharp catch at fine gully to remove Matthew Bell off Harmison.
His next, a superb diving reflex catch to dismiss Stephen Fleming off Ryan Sidebottom was his best. Fleming slashed the ball hard, and could not believe his eyes when Cook held the ball up. Finally, Cook dived at backward point to catch Jacob Oram off Matthew Hoggard to complete a brilliant hat-trick.
But ground fielding is an area England must continue to work hard at improving. To see Harmison fielding at cover point is enough to make a bowler weep – but the only other option is Panesar as Hoggard, Michael Vaughan, Sidebottom are also slow in run-saving positions.
England’s batsmen should learn from watching New Zealand's lack of application, and if they can fiddle the remaining four wickets for another 50 runs, or so, they should be able to rack up a first innings lead.
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Good summary aggers!
Listening to the team's commentary on TMS last night it seemed to me that the pitch was playing a major part in procedings...the slowness of it hampered england's bowlers but also meant scoring was slow and difficult for most of the day (Oram's innings aside). Interesting to see how England do on this and how fast they score...will they have time to force a result?
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Please explain to me what Harmison offers England over someone like Stuart Broad. Broad is taller, quicker, more accurate, can swing the ball, is a better fielder, a better batsman and appears to have a bit of 'ticker'. It must be time to jettison Harmison for good and move on.
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An outstanding day?
I'd say honors are even on day one. NZ batted poorly at times but have also showed some application to get close to 300 when they were once 190 odd for 5. Likewise, England bowled well in patches but bowled some dross (Harmisson) in others.
England to rack in a first innings lead? Again, you tend to get way ahead of the situation in these blog/reports of yours Aggers.
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He may be a lovely bloke and all but Harmison bowls as if he's a chap who has just walked in off the street and found himself in the England team after a week on a Ted Dexter gimmicky "lets find a fast bowler project." I really can't believe how he has managed to retain the intersest of the selectors for so long with literally almost nothing to show for it. I'd much rather see Broad brought in and encouraged to bowl more aggresively. He really couldn't do any worse. God help us if Flintoff and Jones aren't able to make a comback soon!!!
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Leigh, I don't think the phrase "outstanding day" was a comment on the match position, just England's catching.
Also "application" is not the phrase I would have chosen to describe McCullum's innings!
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Don't you just love it?
'They should rack up a first innings lead'.
For a team that has won very little over the last year, this is very high and mighty attitude.
In the ODI's England did not like batting on the slow pitches, so what will be different now?
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Removing NZ's last 4 wickets for 50 runs would be the exception rather than rule. NZ may have an average top 6 but the tail usually wags. However the new ball is still only a few overs old so if Taylor and/or Vettori are removed early tomorrow it may be on.
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Good report Aggers and having watched most of it last night i agree with Aggers. They did not show much application as the pitch was lifeless, it did not move off the straight and narrow other than a few overs of swing with new ball. That really was a pitch for being only 2 or 3 down at close. Take a look at how Bell and Fleming got out for a start, both hitting the ball in the air through gulley/point. So I think Aggers has it spot on that they were not patient enough on a slow pitch.
I fully expect England to take first innings lead as long as they dont play also with a lack of application as this pitch is a belter. I would not call it getting ahead of himself but more the fact he has watched the entire day's play.....
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This is evenly poised. NZ could still post 400+ and a couple of early England wickets could see us trying to save the game rather than push for a victory.
It was a rather dull day of test cricket with the exception of McCullum's slogging and Cook's athleticism....do those two words really go together!
As for Harmison, I've said it on numerous blogs and posts over the past 18 months, he has to be put out to pasture urgently. He is a liability and once again it's obvious that he doesn't want to be away from Durham. A bowling spearhead throwing pies at 80mph is ludicrous.
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Don't you just love it?
'They should rack up a first innings lead'.
For a team that has won very little over the last year, this is very high and mighty attitude.
In the ODI's England did not like batting on the slow pitches, so what will be different now?
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It always surprises me how Aggers can tell who has got the upper hand after one day.
But then I was never much good at cricket although my watching has improved over the years.
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I agree with the comment above about Harmison. there comes a time when you have to face it that despite producing the odd spell of venomous bowling, Harmison doesn't have either the control or the smarts to be an England fixture. Neither does Anderson for that matter. I recall when Sidebottom got into the side the talk was all about him being a journeymann and there were more naysayers than supporters. Well he has proved to be a thinking cricketer and has shown us all the value of being in control of the cricket ball. Its time we picked another like him and let the loose cannons go
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YES , TIME FOR HARMISON TO GO
ENOUGH CHANCES ALREADY
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totally agree with david harrington up there about harmison. it makes no sense at all. for a 'strike' bowler he's pretty unstriking, and he's having to be protected by bowling first change anyway? the truth is he's becoming a liability, a handicap.
so, day 1 will be remembered for some lovely batting, some very poor ground fielding and some painfully average fast bowling from our two overrated sicknote journeymen - hoggard and harmison.
besides that i suppose vaughn/moores deserve a smidgeon of credit for putting cook behind the bat.
is Ishant Sharma elligible for England?! can we have him?!?! i can't wait to watch him bowl on English pitches... hahaha sob
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They should send for the living legend that is Robert Key to replace Belly. He might be the "Key" to a series victory - boom boom!
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This is probably the weakest Blackcaps side in a long time and there have been a few over the years. The fact that we scored more than 250 nearly made me spit out my morning coffee.
Doesn't sound like Harmison and Hoggard are in any type of form but Sidebottom should really appreciate NZ conditions.
Glad to see we are not being rolled over and making a game of it. Still expecting a second innings batting collapse but proud of the newbies making some runs.
Sounds like the pitch is a batsman's paradise so unless Vettori and Taylor make a few more runs Aggers will probably be right regarding the first innnings lead.
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I've never felt 'hidden' at short leg :)
What was the verdict on Ambrose's first day?
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Dave
The difference between this and the ODIs is that this is a test match. There is no need to force the ball and the scoring so if England are patient the slower pitch should suit them fine.
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I agree with the Harmison comments above.
Harmison was barely reaching 82mph in the first hour or so. If he can't get a decent level of pace up then Broad (decent number 8 bat) or Anderson (world's best outfielder) would offer far more.
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Watch out for a counterattacking innings from Vettori. As a general rule the bottom 6 outscore the top 5. Par score from this juncture would be 400.
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Re David Harrington's question on "what Harmison offers over Stuart Broad" the only answer is "experience at the highest level". However in Harmison's case, the downsides of this experience (exposure to the world's best batsmen in the toughest environments) has turned him into a neurotic, nervous wreck - a shadow of his former self. Send him back to Durham with thanks for his efforts over the years, and let him get on with being a father and a top county bowler. Broad deserves a chance sooner rather than later.
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I thought England battled well, it is a truly lifeless pitch - a type that really should be eradicated for the sake of batsmen, bowlers and spectators alike.
Sidebottom and Monty were exemplary. Hoggard was short of his best but I’m sure he will come good with time and overs. Harmison was woeful, there really should be no place for a man who is bowling so far within himself, 80/81 mph from him is simply not good enough, he needs to provide the bounce and the fire to contrast with RS and MH's control and guile. His action looks terrible, a far try from his '04 vintage, he is not getting through the crease in straight lines, he has no where near the snap/effort in his acttion of four years ago, and he is falling away terribly, he desperately needs to use his leading arm more in his delivery stride, both for control and pace.
England should build a good lead on this track if a) they can polish off the tail and b) the batsmen are disciplined in their task - They have the ability to do it, its whether they have the mental capacity.
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Come on Aggers...... surely an oustanding day in the field means we've rolled the Kiwis over for under 200 ?
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All this pre-match talk of how England should beat New Zealand easily made me nervous - and after seeing the first day's play I know why!
Great catching, but some of the bowling, particularly by Harmison, was worrying. How many more chances is he going to get?!
I am reserving judgement until after seeing how England bat with Bell unlikely to be at his best.
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I think Harmison has had his chances, Broad should be brought in.
Less of the wishful thinking Aggers - The last 4 wickets for 50 runs is unlikely, and I don't think England have it in them to rack up a first innings lead, but that's me being an England supporter and natural pessimist.
Oh and switching the radio on to yourself and Vic Marks was an absolute joy. All my cricket these days is on the wireless (no thank you mr murdoch), thanks for excellent commentaries.
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Harmison has had his day. He may produce occasionally, but there are too many bad days and Broad and/or Tremlett if fit deserve their chances. Broad in particular gives much more to the team and has some fight in him. Harmison scares no-one any more.
So long and thanks for the memories Harmy.
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it needs to be stressed:
harmison is in the team for one thing only - to come on when required and bowl short spells of vicious, partnership-breaking, knuckle-rattling pace. this is why watching him bowl three 80mph wide long hops every over is more than a little galling for english supporters.
of course it's ridiculous that a test match bowler (and former number one in the world) can't take 25% effort out of his delivery stride and regularly produce 5 out of 6 balls on a line and length in order to build a bit of pressure. and this, surely, is a mark of how far off from his 'grevious' best harmison is.
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I was just relieved that Harmison didn't open with one of his classic "four wides" balls. It is a sad reflection on his recent performances that you feel a sense of relief when he actually hits the cut portion of the pitch.
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At least Harmison didn't open with one of his classic "four wides" deliveries. It comes to something that you actually feel a sense of relief when your opening bowler hits the cut part of the pitch.
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If Harmison cannot be trusted with the new ball he should not be playing, simple.
There is no other team in the world that woudl allow this sort of thing to happen, imagine brett lee bowling 10mph below his best, cause hes scared! Its a disgrace.
Harmison shoudl be coming into a test match full of confidence and demanding the new ball, otherwise he is a liability and we are carrying dead wood. Get rid!
Bring in Broad for 2nd test, at least he has shown some pace, confidence and is a hope for the future. Harmison is a dead duck.
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ONCE AGAIN aggers is getting ahead of himself. darren gough would love this pitch!!!!
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I am about to search for some decent highlights on YouTube; listening to TMS it appeared as though England plugged away in a pretty unflashy way on a dead strip - our bowling does lack the X Factor there days and I think this is the main reason for persisting with 'Previous Steve', although i agree with everyone else that he may well be blocking the progress of a better, younger player with the ticker. Also, as I keep telling people in the street, Harmy was with Freddie in the Aussie dressing room until midnight getting tanked after the Adelaide defeat. I really cannot believe that this happened. Grrr.
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Harmison has become a Devon Malcolm figure - comes good once a year. In last 34 tests his average is 37.04, Dev's career average was 37.09. Would Dev have got in the current England side? Case closed. The selectors have lost the plot.
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Well i cant for the life of me see England getting the lat 4 wkts for less than 50 runs. This is regardless of Russ Taylor/Vettori batting (the later being a fine batsman who can hold up an end and score runs.
This is due to the fact since the 2005 Ashes, England have or have VERY rarley cleaned up an innings well. They've given the likes of Sri Lankan, Pakistani and of course the Australian and Indian tails runs and have found it very hard to finish innings.
Im not saying we wont get NZ out for about 300, but i do think we should maintain a lead.
As for the series i do think we'll win it, possibly 2-0 but you can never be sure of England because their batsman forgetting Pietersen/Collingwood dont cash in on 100s enough and big ones. Ian Bell if he's able to bat could prove to be a very important 12 months for him, he's gotta make 100s otherwise his place in the team could come into contention...
Lets hope Harmy's bowling can improve...?
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I would like to support the point made earlier regarding steve harmison. I feel that there's a clear lack of faith in his ability in the England set-up which is evident with the first ball of the test match. When Harmison was bowling well and number 1 in the world, Michael Vaughan wouldnt have dreamed of giving the hard new ball to anyone but Harmy. Time for the selectors and coach to harden up and find a replacement (like Stuart Broad). At least Broad brings more to the table plus the fact you will be certain he's giving 100% for the shirt. Good Day England!
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It seems the lifeless pitch was prepared to suit NZ. Perhaps it is time for NZ to come out of the shadows of this defensive attitude otherwise they will kill Test cricket off.
Test cricket is dying in those countries that prefer to win rather than play on a decent pitch for the long form of the game.
I wonder why there is a cult of trashing Harmison. His figures were actually better than those of Hoggard who is also showing signs of being rusty.
Harmison will get better as the game and Series goes on. There's too much of the trend of making him a whipping boy. He's a devasting bowler and we have absolutely no one to match him. So why not give the bloke some encouragement instead of endless complaints? It's now being talked about that Ashley Giles was underappreciated who was similarly targeted for ridicule.
I've seen Brett Lee spray it around too and other fast bowlers but yet to hear them given such a drubbing from their commentators and media.
Harmison bowled well and with real commitment in Sri Lanka on appalling flat pitches in terrible heat and humidity.
Why is this being forgotten so soon?
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I also think that Harmison looked like a bowler with so little confidence that he bowled way way within his ability. He has become a bowler better used in 2 or 3 over bursts using his 90mph plus pace. But unfortunately that isnt good enough for our 'main strike bowler' and for someone who used to be the best bowler in world cricket. I say bring in broad or anderson for the rest of the series. Sidebottom bowled brilliantly on day 1 and deserves his place in the test team!!
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I would like to support the point made earlier regarding steve harmison. I feel that there's a clear lack of faith in his ability in the England set-up which is evident with the first ball of the test match. When Harmison was bowling well and number 1 in the world, Michael Vaughan wouldnt have dreamed of giving the hard new ball to anyone but Harmy. Time for the selectors and coach to harden up and find a replacement (like Stuart Broad). At least Broad brings more to the table plus the fact you will be certain he's giving 100% for the shirt. Good Day England!
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For a player of his ability (at his best) Harmison produces way too many absolutely awful deliveries.However even when at his worst he can take wickets.The question is is that good enough?Its obvious he will never be what he could have been and i would question his desire more than anything.The thing with these blogs is everyones got a favourite player who they think should be in there but nearly all those named have had a chance with moderate results.Its about time the players selected grasped the opportunity given to them.Kudos therefore to Cook on day 1.
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I also think that Harmison looked like a bowler with so little confidence that he bowled way way within his ability. He has become a bowler better used in 2 or 3 over bursts using his 90mph plus pace. But unfortunately that isnt good enough for our 'main strike bowler' and for someone who used to be the best bowler in world cricket. I say bring in broad or anderson for the rest of the series. Sidebottom bowled brilliantly on day 1 and deserves his place in the test team!!
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its a good job monty didnt bowl as bad as harmy or by now we would have the press etc would have him digging roads,why in your column do you always have a pop at monty before a ball is bowled, and when the dust settles your praise for our spinner is skant and you hardly have a go at our "STRIKE" bowler at all, could we have some fairness in the comments please.
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Why persist with Harmison? England need consistency from their pace attack Sidebottom/Hoggard produce it
Harmison/Anderson don't...give Broad a good run in the side...he can bat too
Oh and by the way.....catches win matches.
..must be nice for Ryan to have a keeper who holds-on!
I'd say honours about even on day 1
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Good shout Aggers but why do we persist with playing Harmison?? The expression "Flogging a dead horse" springs to mind. How is it possible for him to play above a far more consistent bowler in Stuart Broad, the mind boggles!!
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Outstanding day in the field Aggers? Which test were you watching then? Engalnd are staring down the barrel after a pretty ordinary day in truth. Yes, I agree that the catching was outstanding, but Vaughan's captaincy & field placings seemed very wooden, one-dimensional, not aggressive or imaginative enough. Add to that the folly of picking Harmison and the unfortunate injury to Bell and England are short on bodies with which to truly compete for the remainder of the match. NZ already have a useful total and their tail (Chris Martin apart) will not simply roll over.
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I watched the first hour of last night's play on TV and then just as I turned on the radio a wicket fell. Boycott immediately interrupts the commentator who doesn't even have time to tell us who caught the catch. And then has a 5min monologue of how he told us so. He says I told you the bowlers had to pitch it up outside off stump to get a wicket and the first time they do this, they get a wicket.
Well,I had been watching them do this for the first hour without success ! I suppose Boycott was too busy talking about himself during the first hour to notice what was actually happening.
When will you get rid of this old windbag ?
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To Derek Hodgson - the day that Boycs leaves TMS will be a sad day indeed! As for the cricket, Aggers has it spot on; England were patient and applied themselves well, frustrating NZ, which led to the wickets of Oram and McCullum - although I do agree that Broad should replace Harmy for the 2nd Test.
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BRILLIANT! We've had a whole day of test cricket, we're up to 45 comments on Aggers' blog and I haven't read any comments calling for Ambrose to be dropped and Read reinstated.
Let's just take a quiet moment to consider the magnitude of this watershed in English cricket...
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Jackie Litherland - Harmison's past efforts, successful or otherwise, have not been forgotten. his record is there for all to see. but if you combine this with his 'recent' form, it still seems utterly bizarre that the selectors would put him among the 4 best English bowlers.
as pointed out elsewhere on here, he has been a bit of an embarrassment for nigh-on 2 years now. so OF COURSE there's a lack of faith in his ability.
and to whoever said that Harmy gets wickets even when he's bowling badly - that's a hilarious argument for his inclusion in the team! knocking over a few lower-order sloggers in a tour game isn't gonna fill me with confidence...
also - Previous Bodily Harmison. LOL.
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My, my, old Harmy's ears must be on fire ! But then, what do you expect when you bring in a strike bowler who only has a passing aquaintence with test match cricket over the last year? As for Englnd 'racking up a first innings lead', I would suggest they concentrate on getting the last for wickets before worrying about that.
I agree with the previos comment regarding 'hiding' at square leg. I always seemed to get top edge sweeps that came down with snow on, the last of which ended my village cricket career by snapping a finger. Hiding indeed ! Anyway, evenly poised would be my summing up and England will need to bat well to win. Not to mention getting all 10 wickets in the second innings.
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Must agree with Derek Hodgson. Boycott does like to hear the sound of his own voice.
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Anderson- The worlds best outfielder?? This is a joke right?
Ponting
Symonds
De Villiers
Gibbs
Bravo
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David Harrington sums it up very well for me - why on earth do England persist with Harmison while Broad is left out of the side?
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So, 282/6, quite nicely poised.
What with the wicket predicted to take turn and NZ having 2 good spinners in Vettori and Patel, an England 1st Innings lead is essential I think.
Need to get NZ out for
Good to see no howlers by the umpires, Ambrose our with our fielding either.
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Completely agree with the Harmison comments. A strike bowler bowling at 80 mph is NOT a strike bowler! Not so sure about Broad though, he's not much quicker.....maybe in time he will find another yard of pace but he's not much more than 80-85mph himself. A strike bowler has to be 90mph+ otherwise he offers nothing...
Where has all the real pace gone?
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i didnt see any of the first day, and just gave the bowling figures a quick look, so i didnt realise that harmy was 1st change!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, what a joke when your strike bowler is not trusted to take the new ball, if he is not deemed good enough to open the bowling then why is he playing at all. which other internationl team would dream of such a nonsence, it is beyound belief, more muddled thinking from the selectors
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Always makes me laugh how England think they're better than NZ by right. Even though they have 20 times the cricketing resources, the honours have been even for 30 years. Wake up. 2-0 expected, please. You were lucky in UK last time, and NZ have been better the times before that. Not knowing our cricketers only makes you ignorant, it doesn't mean they're no good. NZ have 3 of their best players away and are still better on paper.
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Zoidberg, all the players you mention usually field in the slips or close catching positions.
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AMBROSE OUT-------READ IN
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Can you give Harmy a break?
The reason he's not opening the bowling is because Sidebottom and Hoggard are swing bowlers best suited to using the new ball. There has been a time when Hoggard wouldn't even bowl after the ball was 40 overs old.
Broad isn't faster than Harmy aswell.
I look forward to hearing Aggers and Boycott describing Harmy polishing off the tail tonight.
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Quote "...only two batsmen, Jamie How and Ross Taylor, played with the patience and discipline required."
Ahem, on recent England test performances, the Kiwis are going to look like Old Father Time for patience and they have the advantage of scoring an occasional run doing it.
Never underestimate England's creative ability to collapse when ahead
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I've started a cricket blog(https://cricketahead.blogspot.com),which is updated almost every day.I've linked your blog onto my blog..I exopect you to do da same as well...Tks a ton...hav a nice day...
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It’s a shame the pitch is so dead unlike the ODI pitch which was fast and bouncy.
Every series England now competes in the question is bounded around; which Stephen Harmisson will turn up?
I believe he was a fine bowler who succeeded in the West Indies in 2004, but that was always going his pinnacle.
Lords 1st innings againest Australia, a wonder slower ball againest Michael Clarke in the 2nd Test againest Ausrtalia in last over of the day at Egbasten. Old Trafford 2006 against Pakistan, merely moments when he shone again. Unlike Mathew Hoggard, or recently Ryan Sidebottom you can rely on both to be consistent in their performance. Harmisson does not offer such necessary similar form.
It’s a terrible shame but I can not see him playing for England or Durham much longer due to his confidence being shattered every time he displays all his fallibilities by bowling poorly, and being under everyone’s microscope.
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Quote "...only two batsmen, Jamie How and Ross Taylor, played with the patience and discipline required."
Ahem, on recent England test performances, the Kiwis are going to look like Old Father Time for patience and they have the advantage of scoring an occasional run doing it.
Never underestimate England's creative ability to collapse when ahead
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Hi, just to mention that when playing for Essex, Alastair Cook is a regular slip fielder, so he is hardly a stranger to that position.
Otherwise a good article. =]
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I say Andy old boy (post 56), it's not our fault NZ aren't any good at cricket or rugby (well, not World Cup standard rugby anyway).
Just remember who invented cricket and be thankful for it, just because every other cricketing nation is just too rude to let us win now and again, it's no reason for you to get irate.
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Before Cook caught his first catch Aggers was slagging his fielding ability in commentary. Hilarious. Please keep up the good work. You really know what you're talking about!
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i agree that harmison is way past it. same goes for flintoff. however, i think the experience of sidebottom shows that a street smart battle hardened bowler with control is more effective than a young uncontrolled talent like broad. as a foxes fan i've seen broad be taken apart a couple of times. i think the answer, for a couple of years, lies elsewhere. broad has played a limited number of four-day games for the foxes, i imagine notts will see even less of him. you rarely see the ozzies chuck someone with zero experience in.
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Harmison's main weapon is the excess bounce he can generate. He's not exceptionally quick, he does nt swing the ball and almost never hits the seam. He should only be considered at venues like Old Trafford and The Oval. This track is apparently slow and low and consequently the worst surface for Big Steve. Show a bit of nous Mooresy!
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Stay off Harmison. I really believe this time that he is not far off coming into form. I think Vaughan should just tell him to just bowl fast and furious and whether he is accurate or not. Malcom was never accurate but nobody laid to him! Broad is a good bowler but not ready yet! Unfortuntley Tremlett is injured.
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In reply to comment 36: the reason for the state of the pitch is Waikato has been in a drought meaning that there is limited water etc for pitch preparation. NZ have traditionally preferred green tops as it gives their seamers an advantage.
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No one seems to have mentioned Michael Vaughan. Every time I saw him talking to his bowlers he had his hands in his pockets and was very relaxed. Is this how you fire up Harmison and Hoggard? Body language is very important (ask the Aussies and Flintoff/Botham). The Kiwis no longer have a 90 mph bowler, so come on Vaughan, fire up Harmy.
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Good summary Aggers, although I'm surprised you didn't say more about Sidebottom's bowling, which, while not exactly match-winning, was tidy to say the least. I reckon Vettori and Taylor need to be removed early; if not, they could hang around a long time and cause serious damage to a fairly average attack.
Above all: Harmison Must Go. There can be no more excuses, the man isn't doing anything, his bowling was scarcely faster than Collingwood's and marginally lest threatening. Send him back to Durham, for good.
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Nice one Triumph3. No good, but better than England. We also invented the game as we were English at the time, get over yourselves.
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i know for a fact nz have prepared this pitch to be slow. Theyre only hope is for a draw coz lets face it this is a one sided match. CMON england
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Harmison is useless! well past his best He only became no 1. when he had everything in his favour against a badly failing Windies team - Broad and anderson must be the future we cant be pandering to Harmison's every whim and babish attitude to every thing - hes a proffesional Cricketer and he seems to have to have more warm up games and one to one coaching than anyone else and even then when he makes the team gifts boundaries away and poor accuraccy that causes keepers to be jumpin around like monkeys, other bowlers dont have the confidence problem and injury proneness that he does either - He needs to prove himself at Couny level on all sorts of pitches over a season thats if Durham will have him after their success last year
I dont think Flintoff should be confined to the scrapheap just yet i think he should fight for his place after good performances not like Strauss who plays a few 2nd team club games and squeaks in sommet is wrong there!
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I challenge anyone to come up with a better joke than 'thomas' (comment59).
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Last night, I had TMS on my DAB radio, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖi score-card on my tv and a cricket MB on my computer-the banter was good all night long, and thats what the cricketing atmosphere is all about.
England have a good chance here-NZ have put a biased pitch to their opponents and hopefully, Harmy can pull some magic out of the bag
COME ON ENGLAND!!
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Here we go....After listening to.. We lost the first ODI because our travel plans were distrupted, The second because the commentary box was too high, the last one beacause of the rain, now the pitch is biased toward the home team. Well as a pommie from long ago, I remember when the Aussies used to complain that the Pitches in England were doctored to help Derek Underwood, and I remembered how I laughed then...and, as an NZ pommie, I do now
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Harmy couldn't polish off a light two course dinner of rabbit followed by wannabe duck on this showing, so what chance has he of getting close to ousting players the likes of which he hasnt gotten out for months, save by way injudicious shots and unceremonious slogging?
He is not the reason we won't win this game - the pitch makes any kind of result look very unlikely - but he simply has to go.
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Well, a hundred runs in the 1st session, 387/6, maiden hundred for Taylor, and Vettori ticking off the 2500 runs and 200 test wickets double. I suppose the question now is, will England be following-on?
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Aggers, I told you the last 4 wickets for 50 runs was wishful thinking ;)
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Well, a hundred runs in the 1st session, 387/6, maiden hundred for Taylor, and Vettori ticking off the 2500 runs and 200 test wickets double. I suppose the question now is, will England be following-on?
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How can i listen to TMS and the Eng v NZ Test over the web in Australia anyone please help?
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I think a big part of England's problem in Test cricket in recent years is a reluctance to let go of the 2005 Ashes.
In fact that series has become cricket's equivalent of the 1966 World Cup - it's usually only a matter of minutes before it's mentioned by commentators at the start of any given match, and must be a source of irritation and amusement to other Test-playing nations.
That series was nearly three years ago, yet all we hear about is how the Ashes-winning team hasn't taken the field together since, blah blah.
Get over it. The longer this goes on, the less likely it is that England will be a success in the Test arena.
The same goes for 'building towards the 2009 Ashes' or 'building towards the next World Cup'. How about concentrating on the task in hand - ie playing well and winning NOW!?
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HARMISON - TIME TO GO LAD.
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With Trescothick and Flintoff out at the moment, England are undoubtedly weakened, especially as they now have to put some of their more agile fieldsmen in the slips to cover these two excellent slip fielders. This was showing on the first day when excellent catching disguised some distinctly average all round fielding from the visitors. I do feel that Harmison is rather fortunate to be selected as his bowling is still far too erratic. As for comparing Vettori with Monty, this is rather unfair as Daniel has a long and proven test record whereas Monty, as Aggers has pointed out, is just starting out on that road. Monty should be encouraged and allowed to develop his skills, especially as he demonstrates a first class attitude - comparing him to others could be counter-productive. Seems like the current test is heading for a draw on a flat pitch.....
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Harmison's main weapon is the excess bounce he can generate. He's not exceptionally quick, he does nt swing the ball and almost never hits the seam. He should only be considered at venues like Old Trafford and The Oval. This track is apparently slow and low and consequently the worst surface for Big Steve. Show a bit of nous Mooresy!
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So the Kiwi's have prepared a slow pitch, So what
You prepare the pitch that best suits your team.Don't NZ know that they should lay a pitch that will help Englands bowlers?!How dare they!! Otherwise they have to turn up and adapt to the conditions. Do they (NZ) not realise that this is mighty England and that they (NZ) should just roll over!!
We all hear the commentators blaming the pitch for Englands bowlers not performing "oh there is no Bounce, it wont turn, Swing blah blah Zzzzzzz So what will the answers be when the NZ bowlers extract what they know will come from the pitch?
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Well after 60 overs, with England hurtling along at 2.12 runs per over, Comment 36, about NZ's so called defensive attitude, seems quite ironic really!!!
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"Fiddle the last four wickets for 50"!??
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