The Official Cricket Thread

[Thor Sedan]

Feels like England are slightly on top at the moment.

All the bowlers are bowling well so we don't have too much in the way of release overs.

[Ymx]

Conway



Debut maiden century at Lords.

[Sandstorm]

Conway



Debut maiden century at Lords.

Classy knock

[Thor Sedan]

Well done that man. Interesting shot to bring it up with as well.

[JM2K6]

Always enjoy watching someone completely at ease with their game translate that to internationals. Fantastic knock. Made it look easy.

England's selection is a bit of a mess. No front line spinner, and the justification was... To fit mark wood into the team.

The fuck? Wood is desperately mediocre at test level. I know everyone gets excited at his pace and he's a very nice man, but he very very rarely justifies the hype. NZ have found him the easiest to bat against today. Was Olly Stone injured?

I hope he turns it all around and proves me very wrong. Though he'll probably take 2-105 in the match then be out with an injury. I just don't understand why England treat him like some sort of rare treasure when he's done very little to back it up.

Edit: I like what I've seen of Robinson so far, but he does look a little chubby so I'm not surprised he's flagging...

[Enzedder]

Kick off at 10pm tonight (dammit)

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has confirmed a much-awaited test debut for Devon Conway, with dual allrounders Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner also right in the mix to face England on a drying Lord’s pitch.

On the eve of the first test, starting at 10pm (NZT) on Wednesday, Williamson said the South African left-hander would partner Tom Latham at the top of the order after a stunning debut summer in white ball cricket.

Williamson narrowed his 19-man squad down to 12, with de Grandhomme, Santner and seamer Matt Henry in the running for two spots alongside a pace lineup of Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner.

AT A GLANCE

First cricket test at Lord’s, London, day one Wednesday 10pm (NZT):

England (from): Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (captain), Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, James Bracey, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry (one to be omitted).

TAB odds: England $1.85, NZ $2.80, draw $4.80

TV: Live streamed on Spark Sport

I reckon The Big Man will be the one to be 12th man

Do you guys have any home grown cricketers, or do you just rely on South Africans?

I went to school and played cricket with all of the Williamsons. Taught them all I know.

Kanes Grand-dad was a first class gloveman

[ScarfaceClaw]

Always enjoy watching someone completely at ease with their game translate that to internationals. Fantastic knock. Made it look easy.

England's selection is a bit of a mess. No front line spinner, and the justification was... To fit mark wood into the team.

The fuck? Wood is desperately mediocre at test level. I know everyone gets excited at his pace and he's a very nice man, but he very very rarely justifies the hype. NZ have found him the easiest to bat against today. Was Olly Stone injured?

I hope he turns it all around and proves me very wrong. Though he'll probably take 2-105 in the match then be out with an injury. I just don't understand why England treat him like some sort of rare treasure when he's done very little to back it up.

Edit: I like what I've seen of Robinson so far, but he does look a little chubby so I'm not surprised he's flagging...

Wood’s biggest problem is that he’s made of glass. It seems that he can’t do back to back tests or a full series without breaking.

Robinson started well. He bowled a nice line and length. Fell away a bit at the end of the day and that left Root flogging Pammie and Broad probably more than he wanted to.

[Sandstorm]

Poach

[Insane_Homer]

well, that looks like it will be Robinson's one and only test.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/57335528

[JM2K6]

well, that looks like it will be Robinson's one and only test.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/57335528

Hasn't hurt Overton at all and he was an adult...

[JM2K6]

Always enjoy watching someone completely at ease with their game translate that to internationals. Fantastic knock. Made it look easy.

England's selection is a bit of a mess. No front line spinner, and the justification was... To fit mark wood into the team.

The fuck? Wood is desperately mediocre at test level. I know everyone gets excited at his pace and he's a very nice man, but he very very rarely justifies the hype. NZ have found him the easiest to bat against today. Was Olly Stone injured?

I hope he turns it all around and proves me very wrong. Though he'll probably take 2-105 in the match then be out with an injury. I just don't understand why England treat him like some sort of rare treasure when he's done very little to back it up.

Edit: I like what I've seen of Robinson so far, but he does look a little chubby so I'm not surprised he's flagging...

Wood’s biggest problem is that he’s made of glass. It seems that he can’t do back to back tests or a full series without breaking.

Robinson started well. He bowled a nice line and length. Fell away a bit at the end of the day and that left Root flogging Pammie and Broad probably more than he wanted to.

Well this is my point. Wood's biggest problem is he just isn't very good. He's very quick and that's it - no accuracy, no guile, very little end product. We fuck up the balance of the team to accommodate him and for what?

Felt Robinson deserved an over or two with the new ball.

[Enzedder]

Poach

Chicken runner - left for the easy life

[ScarfaceClaw]

well, that looks like it will be Robinson's one and only test.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/57335528

Hasn't hurt Overton at all and he was an adult...

It’s not a good look but it was nine years ago. He was a daft teenager (I’ve not seen his tweets so making a leap here) and it was the early days of social meeja. He acted like a twat presumably but to hold that over his head nearly a decade later and potentially end his career…

[JM2K6]

well, that looks like it will be Robinson's one and only test.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/57335528

Hasn't hurt Overton at all and he was an adult...

It’s not a good look but it was nine years ago. He was a daft teenager (I’ve not seen his tweets so making a leap here) and it was the early days of social meeja. He acted like a twat presumably but to hold that over his head nearly a decade later and potentially end his career…

Yeah I dunno what he said either. Just suggesting English cricket is all talk when it comes to this stuff anyway.

[Kiwias]

Pretty stupid stuff.

[Rinkals]

well, that looks like it will be Robinson's one and only test.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/57335528

Na.

He should fit right In..

Even as an eighteen year old he should have more sense, though.

[Paddington Bear]

At some point we're going to have to decide how to deal with the fact that people are entering public life having grown up with social media.
'Teenager was a total idiot' really isn't a story, and a lot of people going after him will have done similar.

ECB really dropped the ball here, not sure why they don't just insist on all England players creating a new 'professional' social media page.

[ScarfaceClaw]

At some point we're going to have to decide how to deal with the fact that people are entering public life having grown up with social media.
'Teenager was a total idiot' really isn't a story, and a lot of people going after him will have done similar.

ECB really dropped the ball here, not sure why they don't just insist on all England players creating a new 'professional' social media page.

Even if they created a new profile for him those old tweets will still exist. While it’s not a great look for him I’d still argue that it was nearly a decade ago. Social media was a newish phenomenon and he was a teenager. Give him a slap, he’s done his public apology but it’s going too far to start launching into the “he should never play for England again” routine.

[Paddington Bear]

At some point we're going to have to decide how to deal with the fact that people are entering public life having grown up with social media.
'Teenager was a total idiot' really isn't a story, and a lot of people going after him will have done similar.

ECB really dropped the ball here, not sure why they don't just insist on all England players creating a new 'professional' social media page.

Even if they created a new profile for him those old tweets will still exist. While it’s not a great look for him I’d still argue that it was nearly a decade ago. Social media was a newish phenomenon and he was a teenager. Give him a slap, he’s done his public apology but it’s going too far to start launching into the “he should never play for England again” routine.

Yep but he could then keep that account private and/or delete it.

Anyone 30 or younger even considering entering politics should delete all social media now before people have a chance to start screenshotting it all.

[Thor Sedan]

New Zealand Englanding the heck out of this innings.

3 wickets for 5 runs - stalled in the 290's - suddenly England are on a par and NZ seem to be aiming at the fielders.

Test cricket is still amazing.

[Thor Sedan]

Always enjoy watching someone completely at ease with their game translate that to internationals. Fantastic knock. Made it look easy.

England's selection is a bit of a mess. No front line spinner, and the justification was... To fit mark wood into the team.

The fuck? Wood is desperately mediocre at test level. I know everyone gets excited at his pace and he's a very nice man, but he very very rarely justifies the hype. NZ have found him the easiest to bat against today. Was Olly Stone injured?

I hope he turns it all around and proves me very wrong. Though he'll probably take 2-105 in the match then be out with an injury. I just don't understand why England treat him like some sort of rare treasure when he's done very little to back it up.

Edit: I like what I've seen of Robinson so far, but he does look a little chubby so I'm not surprised he's flagging...

Wood’s biggest problem is that he’s made of glass. It seems that he can’t do back to back tests or a full series without breaking.

Robinson started well. He bowled a nice line and length. Fell away a bit at the end of the day and that left Root flogging Pammie and Broad probably more than he wanted to.

Well this is my point. Wood's biggest problem is he just isn't very good. He's very quick and that's it - no accuracy, no guile, very little end product. We fuck up the balance of the team to accommodate him and for what?

Felt Robinson deserved an over or two with the new ball.

Wood and Robinson have dragged England back into this. NZ have lost 4 wickets for as many runs - I'd say that England are pretty much taking the lead at this stage.

[Insane_Homer]

295/7 - NZ undoing all the hard work of yesterday. Need more Saffas.

[JM2K6]

Wood’s biggest problem is that he’s made of glass. It seems that he can’t do back to back tests or a full series without breaking.

Robinson started well. He bowled a nice line and length. Fell away a bit at the end of the day and that left Root flogging Pammie and Broad probably more than he wanted to.

Well this is my point. Wood's biggest problem is he just isn't very good. He's very quick and that's it - no accuracy, no guile, very little end product. We fuck up the balance of the team to accommodate him and for what?

Felt Robinson deserved an over or two with the new ball.

Wood and Robinson have dragged England back into this. NZ have lost 4 wickets for as many runs - I'd say that England are pretty much taking the lead at this stage.

Wood has bowled much better today. Pulled his pace back a bit and was less random as a result. Maybe a bit fortunate with the wickets but totally different to yesterday. His record at home is appalling so hopefully it's a sign that he's starting to understand what he needs to do.

NZ won't be happy with some of those wickets though!

[Thor Sedan]

Wood has bowled much better today. Pulled his pace back a bit and was less random as a result. Maybe a bit fortunate with the wickets but totally different to yesterday. His record at home is appalling so hopefully it's a sign that he's starting to understand what he needs to do.

NZ won't be happy with some of those wickets though!

Commentators were saying that most of the big wicket takers in the English domestic game are fast medium pacers with good control.

Wood seems to have listened to that advice.

Would like to see KJ just go after the bowling and hopefully get a couple of lusty blows.

340+ would be a pretty good first innings score - pitch seems to be starting to throw up a bit of variable bounce short of a length. Wagner must be champing at the bit.

[SaintK]

Wood has bowled much better today. Pulled his pace back a bit and was less random as a result. Maybe a bit fortunate with the wickets but totally different to yesterday. His record at home is appalling so hopefully it's a sign that he's starting to understand what he needs to do.

NZ won't be happy with some of those wickets though!

Commentators were saying that most of the big wicket takers in the English domestic game are fast medium pacers with good control.

Wood seems to have listened to that advice.

Would like to see KJ just go after the bowling and hopefully get a couple of lusty blows.

340+ would be a pretty good first innings score - pitch seems to be starting to throw up a bit of variable bounce short of a length. Wagner must be champing at the bit.

Not from where they started this morning it won't!

[Kiwias]

288/3 to 318/8

[Kiwias]

There is no way Southee will be patient enough to help Conway get a debut double ton.

[Thor Sedan]

Wood has bowled much better today. Pulled his pace back a bit and was less random as a result. Maybe a bit fortunate with the wickets but totally different to yesterday. His record at home is appalling so hopefully it's a sign that he's starting to understand what he needs to do.

NZ won't be happy with some of those wickets though!

Commentators were saying that most of the big wicket takers in the English domestic game are fast medium pacers with good control.

Wood seems to have listened to that advice.

Would like to see KJ just go after the bowling and hopefully get a couple of lusty blows.

340+ would be a pretty good first innings score - pitch seems to be starting to throw up a bit of variable bounce short of a length. Wagner must be champing at the bit.

Not from where they started this morning it won't!

Aye - but where they are now it would still be a good score to defend and try and force a result (providing that our bowlers step up).

[Ymx]

It’s really hard to know much about the pitch.

I think some NZ bowlers are going to struggle to create any danger on it.

[Ymx]

There is no way Southee will be patient enough to help Conway get a debut double ton.

I like your mocker gods appeasement

[JM2K6]

Tbh I think Conway's done a poor job of protecting the tail and taking charge here.

Kiwis have had a shocker today so far.

[Kiwias]

There is no way Southee will be patient enough to help Conway get a debut double ton.

I like your mocker gods appeasement

I tried.

[Kiwias]

Tbh I think Conway's done a poor job of protecting the tail and taking charge here.

Kiwis have had a shocker today so far.

The lad is on his debut.

[Mahoney]

What were Broad & Conway saying to each other just then?

[JM2K6]

Tbh I think Conway's done a poor job of protecting the tail and taking charge here.

Kiwis have had a shocker today so far.

The lad is on his debut.

The "lad" is nearly 30 with a long history of cricket behind him. It's not taking away from a magnificent innings to point out that he's exposed the tail a bit too much and has been a bit too keen to take an early single. Ironically it's only worked out with the rank number 11 who's hit a few good shots - everyone else has been exposed.

[ASMO]

For those without sky

https://cricstream.me/england-vs-new-ze ... e/stream-1

[Kiwias]

Tbh I think Conway's done a poor job of protecting the tail and taking charge here.

Kiwis have had a shocker today so far.

The lad is on his debut.

The "lad" is nearly 30 with a long history of cricket behind him. It's not taking away from a magnificent innings to point out that he's exposed the tail a bit too much and has been a bit too keen to take an early single. Ironically it's only worked out with the rank number 11 who's hit a few good shots - everyone else has been exposed.

I actually agree with you on this point.

[Mahoney]

Brutal ball by Wood - very impressive Conway played that!

[Mahoney]

Couple of beauties from Broad… suddenly it looks hard work out there.

[Kiwias]

Broad deserves a wicket, I reckon. He has bowled pretty well.