Cricket: Official Blackcaps thread the people’s #1

[Carter's Choice]

NZ all out for 431. Have to be happy with that.

Of course, especially when you've been sent in to bat.

[Certain Navigator]

This Pakistan team are enthusiastic, and look well drilled, but are missing world class players. Elite players with both bat and ball. How many members of this Pakistan XI would be genuine contenders to make a current World XI.

Does anyone want to take a stab at a current world XI? I don’t follow closely enough and would embarrass myself.

David Warner
Kane Williamson
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Virat Kohli
Ben Stokes
BJ Watling
Stuart Broad
Nathan Lyon
Pat Cummins
Jasprit Bumrah

While a great admirer of Lyon, I think it'd be tough to take him ahead of Ashwin — more wickets at a better average, and also a significantly better batsman. Showed his class again yesterday with 3-fer while going for less than 2 per over — all on the first day of a test! Doesn't seem fair — India can choose between Ashwin and Jadeja, while NZ has...Santner.

Did Steve Smith do anything in 2020 to justify his inclusion?

[Jb1981]

Does anyone want to take a stab at a current world XI? I don’t follow closely enough and would embarrass myself.

David Warner
Kane Williamson
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Virat Kohli
Ben Stokes
BJ Watling
Stuart Broad
Nathan Lyon
Pat Cummins
Jasprit Bumrah

While a great admirer of Lyon, I think it'd be tough to take him ahead of Ashwin — more wickets at a better average, and also a significantly better batsman. Showed his class again yesterday with 3-fer while going for less than 2 per over — all on the first day of a test! Doesn't seem fair — India can choose between Ashwin and Jadeja, while NZ has...Santner.

Did Steve Smith do anything in 2020 to justify his inclusion?

According to the site below Smith has played three matches and is averaging 22 this year. It’s a small sample size but he doesn’t appear to be in the top 30 run scorers in the calendar year. He is still the top ranked batsman though.

http://www.howstat.com/cricket/statisti ... yerID=3756

[Sandstorm]

Someone has to bring the sandpaper

[Carter's Choice]

While a great admirer of Lyon, I think it'd be tough to take him ahead of Ashwin — more wickets at a better average, and also a significantly better batsman. Showed his class again yesterday with 3-fer while going for less than 2 per over — all on the first day of a test! Doesn't seem fair — India can choose between Ashwin and Jadeja, while NZ has...Santner.

Did Steve Smith do anything in 2020 to justify his inclusion?

Hey, I was invited to have a go selecting a current World XI and I did so. It's not necessarily a 'Current Form XI'. Happy for you to have a go yourself so we can all critique your selections. Steve Smith has barely played this year, so not selecting him based on his 2020 form would be unfair, IMO.

[Enzedder]

Good start to day 2. The weather is fine and looks god for the whole day I hope.

Jamieson is proving very difficult and has taken Abid this morning - he has 2 for 5.

Santa had a bowl and actually got one to turn 3 inches.

43 for 2 now

p.s. Boult also gets Abbas (night watchman) so 3 down now

[Gumboot]

Good start to day 2. The weather is fine and looks god for the whole day I hope.

Jamieson is proving very difficult and has taken Abid this morning - he has 2 for 5.

Santa had a bowl and actually got one to turn 3 inches.

43 for 2 now

p.s. Boult also gets Abbas (night watchman) so 3 down now

Yep, good first hour. Jamieson's a handful all right.

[Kiwias]

Wagner now, with a fracture in his right foot.

[Kiwias]

Southee gets Azhar Ali
Now 51 - 4

[Kiwias]

After the team has been playing super defensively, suddenly Sohail has a big swing and is out

[Enzedder]

62/5 at lunch. That's a great session for us --- 4 for 32 in 2 hours

[Enzedder]

Hail storm stops play. And of course, being NZ Cricket, you're not allowed an umbrella unless you smuggle one in.

[Jb1981]

Good fight here from Pakistan. There could be good money on the draw.

[Enzedder]

Good fight here from Pakistan. There could be good money on the draw.

Thanks we needed that. A very good run out by Santner

[Kiwias]

Good fight here from Pakistan. There could be good money on the draw.

Thanks we needed that. A very good run out by Santner

Santner let the ball go the way you throw a frisbee.

[Gumboot]

That was some run out by Santa. Good partnership for Pakistan, mind.

[Gumboot]

Did Kyle Jamieson just autograph someone's Irish Whiskey bottle?

[Enzedder]

Did Kyle Jamieson just autograph someone's Irish Whiskey bottle?

Was it in the box? [/Towny mode]

[Jb1981]

Good fight here from Pakistan. There could be good money on the draw.

Thanks we needed that. A very good run out by Santner

They looked tired and in need of an edge. I am a patriot.

[Jb1981]

Did Kyle Jamieson just autograph someone's Irish Whiskey bottle?

I’m assuming this was the brand.

[Kiwias]

Faheem gone 9 short of his century and Pakistan all out for 239, giving us a lead of 196.

[Jb1981]

This has been a good start to the day. I’m not backing Santner to do a lot bowling us to victory so time may become a factor.

[obelixtim]

Baz reckons bat for 50 overs today, leaving 40 today and all tomorrow to get Pakistan out. A lead of 300+ should be enough. Get to 40 overs/300 up then have someone go apeshit.

Bowlers are going to have to work hard for it though.

[Jb1981]

The way we are batting at the moment a lead of 300 could be up by lunch.

We could send Jamieson out to smack a quick 50 to give more ammunition for the other forum.

[Kiwias]

Blundell rushes down the pitch looking to raise the tempo, but is clean bowled.

Kane at the crease

[Carter's Choice]

So what kind of lead will the Black Caps want, and perhaps more importantly how long do they need to bowl Pakistan out?

Also, what's the weather forecast?

[Trapper]

So what kind of lead will the Black Caps want, and perhaps more importantly how long do they need to bowl Pakistan out?

Also, what's the weather forecast?

350-375 I reckon, gotta make it tempting to chase otherwise they are just going to defend and try to get the draw.

[Kiwias]

Basically at that now, after a flurry of big hits and wickets.

[Kiwias]

Kane reckons a target of 372 is enough and calls the lads in.

[Gumboot]

NZ declares at 180/5. Pakistan needs 373 in 4 and a bit sessions.

[Carter's Choice]

Kane reckons a target of 372 is enough and calls the lads in.

Trapper's prediction was bang on

[Kiwias]

Kane reckons a target of 372 is enough and calls the lads in.

Trapper's prediction was bang on

At the high end of his range but within the range.

And Boult strikes in his first ovdr.

[Carter's Choice]

Boult strikes in the first over. Pakistan 0-1.

So happy now. So very, very happy

[Kiwias]

I'm even happier now with Southee taking a wicket in his second over. 0 - 2

[Trapper]

What a start from the crappers!

[Kiwias]

Southee poised to become the 3rd BC to take 300 test wickets.

[Jb1981]

Decent start.

Having been following the Australia match (with their reverse scoring) I briefly thought Pakistan had a couple of runs without loss before being pleasantly surprised.

[Ted.]

Decent start.

Having been following the Australia match (with their reverse scoring) I briefly thought Pakistan had a couple of runs without loss before being pleasantly surprised.

Aussie's, eh!

[Ted.]

Has anyone else's Spark Sport stream turned to shit?

Reboot!

[Kiwias]

Has anyone else's Spark Sport stream turned to shit?

Reboot!

Is YouTube geographically blocked?