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[Steveo1000]

Does anyone else fancy us to rescue a draw?

I do. Can't see England batting anywhere near as bad again. Reckon NZ will try to have have 5 sessions at England. We should be able to bat for 5 sessions on that pitch.

[alba caerulea]

Yeah get the first session in at least and possibly up till tea as its not a school night and I've got a few ciders in the fridge!

Agree with that, he has had a longer run that most. Probably because the selectors know what he CAN do as he has shown himself capable of world class performances with the ball and even potentially the bat. Consistency is a major issue

Personally I think Stuart Broad is a much better bowler when he bowls on a length where the ball will hit the top of the stumps, like the ball that got Watling. This was the length that dismantled the Aussies in 09. All this back of a length, bang-it-in stuff seems quite desperate and brainless but thats what he seems to serve up more often than not nowadays

[DiscoStu]

Draw is slight favourite at the moment. We'll need a couple of momentous innings from the top order (double century opening stand please) but definitely within their capabilities.

[alba caerulea]

Yes it starts at 9. And I don't actually "love" Monty either. It was just a figure of speech mate.

Quite distasteful I thought but each to their own if that's the only way you can express yourself

[alba caerulea]

NZ win is the favorite result in my eyes

[Steveo1000]

Draw is slight favourite at the moment. We'll need a couple of momentous innings from the top order (double century opening stand please) but definitely within their capabilities.

Hmm. Reckon Compton will do well to get past 50. The rest will be ok, different mind set this time. Reckon they came out the first morning thinking they could score 400+ in a day and a bit against NZ and it all went wrong. The mind set of batting 5 sessions to save a game will see them through I think.

[farnham_quins_2]

New Zealand win is favourite. Draw second. Think we should be able to bat out a draw. Not sure theyll be confident enough to declare when they should. Not like theyre south africa or anything. We cant be anywhere near as bad as first innings. Got a few points to prove with the bat too (KP in particular)

[ProCricketer1982]

Does anyone else fancy us to rescue a draw?

I think it's down to what NZ do now.. If they bat too long then yes, however if they declare now we have too long to survive and they can come in and play a ODI/T20 innings to win.

and I agree with you Alba, Broad when he pitches it up etc is a much better bowler than when he does this back of a length or short crap. He's just not quick enough for that to be effective.

[PM7]

I can see Mc Cullum  having a thrash and putting England in rapido when he is out. There will be serious nerves in the England camp but enough experience to see through a batting collapse. Im not convinced that the Kiwis know how to win as they are rarely in this position. Looks like the first session will be a very interesting one. Id like to see the Kiwis win this one as it will be great for cricket and they certainly have been the better team so far.

[Steveo1000]

Quite distasteful I thought but each to their own if that's the only way you can express yourself

Hey calm down. How often do you hear pundits saying "I love his technique" "I love how he approaches an innings" "I love his attitude". They don't actually "love" it, it's just a figure of speech and hate is the opposite of love.

[DiscoStu]

New Zealand win is favourite. Draw second. Think we should be able to bat out a draw. Not sure theyll be confident enough to declare when they should. Not like theyre south africa or anything. We cant be anywhere near as bad as first innings. Got a few points to prove with the bat too (KP in particular)

Courtesy of oddschecker (best prices)

NZ Evens
Draw 19/20
England 40/1

[farnham_quins_2]

I think McCullum will decide the match. If he gets a load more runs fairly quickly and then declares NZ stand a very good chance (although id hope our batsmen could survive anyway). Should be an interesting day (night's) cricket

[alba caerulea]

New Zealand win is favourite. Draw second. Think we should be able to bat out a draw. Not sure theyll be confident enough to declare when they should. Not like theyre south africa or anything. We cant be anywhere near as bad as first innings. Got a few points to prove with the bat too (KP in particular)

Early declaration or not be wary of NZ. They have already been written off, all the talk was of England 3-0. NZ are a team playing with absolutely nothing to lose and the freedom that comes with that

If Cook and Trott go early England are in all sorts of bother because I don't fancy KP and Bell in a backs to the wall job and Compton and Root are still playing to secure their places which brings its own pressure

[alba caerulea]

Hey calm down. How often do you hear pundits saying "I love his technique" "I love how he approaches an innings" "I love his attitude". They don't actually "love" it, it's just a figure of speech and hate is the opposite of love.

I am quite calm, I've just eaten some cheesecake whilst watching Gardeners World

I've never once heard any commentator or pundit use the word 'hate'. Just thought it was unnecessary term to use about a cricket player especially one who is representing England

[ProCricketer1982]

If Cook and Trott go early England are in all sorts of bother because I don't fancy KP and Bell in a backs to the wall job and Compton and Root are still playing to secure their places which brings its own pressure

I agree with nearly all that too buddy. Cook and Trott are our key men. KP is an enigma, one day he'll win you a game and the next do nothing so can't be relied on. Bell can't/won't play that type of rescue/key innings and root etc can't be expected to just yet.

Nope, for me it's all on Cook and Trott to bat long.. verrrrrrrrryyyyyy Loooooonnnnnggg