England vs New Zealand Test series

[slogen51]

Whoa!

The kiwis have declared leaving England 273 to win off 75 overs

A generous declaration and could be an interesting/exciting afternoon - where is Stokes when you need him?

[Tooks]

Brilliant declaration by NZ I think, what could have been a drab afternoons cricket grinding to a draw now has a chance of a result either way.

I’ve always liked the NZ side and the way they play cricket.

[plmc135]

England will have to dramatically increase scoring rate to win. Too many plodders at top of batting order.

[Gary]

I don't get England approach. 273 in 75 overs and they rather just let it peter out to a draw. Surely they should be approaching it as a ODI game and go for the win? Yes it's a 5th day wicket but still go big or go home. Could be me watching T20 too much also

[Philly1971]

If not a Twenty20 game but a team needing to score 273 in a 50 over game would see that as a fairly easy target. Shame we decided to not lose rather than go for a win....

[gamecock]

It was never a realistic chase, especially with another test match to play. And it was nowhere near a first-choice XI.

[slogen51]

They could have given it a go for four wickets and then shut up shop if the wheels fell off

I thought the whole point of playing professional sport was to try and win the prize

[gamecock]

Yeah but you look pretty stupid at 20 for 4, losing 8 wickets in a session and throwing away a chance of winning the series, which is the prize.

[plmc135]

It was never a realistic chase, especially with another test match to play. And it was nowhere near a first-choice XI.

As far as this match was concerned this was the first XI. You cannot use such a feeble excuse for the outright failure to at least make an attempt to win. Poor show and sounds like a few more could be suspended.

[gamecock]

So a new player who’s already been lambasted for throwing his wicket away with a loose shot is expected to do it again 2 days later and risk never getting picked again? I didn’t realize they were getting suspended for a poor run rate mind. Harsh.

[plmc135]

2nd Test and yet another poor batting show

[slogen51]

After England battle to save the second Test their next Test match is not until August according to Aggers

I knew they should have been more positive in the first Test

[plmc135]

Not sure battle is quite the right word. More like hung out the white flag. And some of this rabble are allegedly the future of English cricket Where on earth did they find Bracey

[time on target]

You reap the dis-benefits of having all these overseas players come to the UK. Doesn't give UK born players a chance so in the end you have less to choose from. Same goes for football

[gamecock]

We've got plenty of talent, but there's been some barking mad selections due to the Covid bubbles and rest/rotation policies. As usual, the need to 'build for The Ashes' has completely skewed our priorities.