this is why I hate no balls, then a wicket falls on the extra delivery.
uggh, Conway should have blocked it obviously, but it so that was a sharp caught and bowled.
Watching Atkinson it shows the benefit of being tall with bounce at only sub 130kph, you dont need to bowl the speed KJ and Sears do at their height, Mcgrath is the obvious sub 130kph example. and bowlers dont seem to bust their backs as often sub 130kph.
Pitch doesn't look too bad by Hagley standards, should flatten out quickly with that warm sun on it. Looking forward to seeing Carse at the crease, he is rapid apparently.
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One side I think at least he scored more than his avg, on the other Im thinking Latham looked like he was on one looking solid as possible in this sport.
edit: For me, Mitchell has to make a big score in the first innings on his home ground given Young was not selected. If Blundell doesnt do his job either I would rather see Mitch Hay come in while he is still young. I also really wish GP would get a go at 6 or even 5, but the one good thing with Smith in the side, based off FC, he should provide one partner before the tail and GP doesnt have to hit out or get out which is doing his own avg no favours.
Ravindra spanked that straight drive yet again it pulls up from the rope. Commentary were saying it was dug up over winter, I presume for drainage. It doesnt look like long grass, so must be moisture. But a shot like that should be rewarded with 4 every time. It pulled up short to the offside as well, but forget from which end.
If Conway hadnt given his wicket away, NZ on Hagley first morning would be in fantastic position, two or even three down isnt too bad though. The main thing is, Latham and now these two played run scoring shots rather than trying to defend everything, which has pushed the Eng quicks off their line and length.
Stokes is blaming the surface, put the long ones on. I think hes simply bowling pies and frustrated. Yes its a bit slippery but is drying off fast. Its more the amount of grass than the moisture.
One side I think at least he scored more than his avg, on the other Im thinking Latham looked like he was on one looking solid as possible in this sport.
edit: For me, Mitchell has to make a big score in the first innings on his home ground given Young was not selected. If Blundell doesnt do his job either I would rather see Mitch Hay come in while he is still young. I also really wish GP would get a go at 6 or even 5, but the one good thing with Smith in the side, based off FC, he should provide one partner before the tail and GP doesnt have to hit out or get out which is doing his own avg no favours.
Latham went alright despite the nick, hopefully he can get an extended period of form going after that good innings in India. Conway is still the concern, okay, he got a couple of scores in India but they seemed borne out of desperation and hitting out with nothing to lose. He had two failures in that final test in India, and followed it up here with another one.
Yeah, given Uncle Gary refuses to leave his nephew out of any side, they probably should have left Mitchell out for Young. Mitchell's form has been patchy at best for a long time. I think Stuff had an article showing the averages of him, Latham, Conway, Blundell in the past year, and Young is going better than all of them over the same period. He didn't deserve to be dropped.
Really pleased for Smith, I think he took 30+ wickets in Plunket Shield last season at 15 average or something like that. Hope he has a good match and announces himself at this level. His batting will be handy too.
Good to see Kane hooking the ball, he and Ravindra have been NZ's two best run-scorers over the past twelve months in tests, they need to have a good day out today and set up this match so the Christchurch fans can have a weekend at the cricket.
Really pleased for Smith, I think he took 30+ wickets in Plunket Shield last season at 15 average or something like that. Hope he has a good match and announces himself at this level. His batting will be handy too.
Good to see Kane hooking the ball, he and Ravindra have been NZ's two best run-scorers over the past twelve months in tests, they need to have a good day out today and set up this match so the Christchurch fans can have a weekend at the cricket.
Im hoping like many NZ players once go from FC to Test, Smith will put a few more runs on and get to 30+ avg while keeping the bowling avg around the mid 20s, he will make a genuine class all rounder like GP which together could be a wall for teams who thnk they are finally through the top/middle to only have these two put solid runs on together. Thats my hope anyway, it doesnt always work out for everyone so Id be happy if he just turns out the same as his FC avgs.
Im hoping Rachin like Kane did, hovered around mid 40s for the first 4 years and then accelerated with that 90avg in 2017 and has remained mid 50s since. But, Kane had a LOT of quality players, Rachin will lose Kane and the other 30 something lot, so hopefully we keep getting quality Batsmen coming through.
Second stupid shot of the day, this one from Rachin. NZ were going along fine, no need to charge and try and tonk one.
Now NZ 3 down with Blundell in next look less comfortable. I thought we might even make 400, unlikely with Mitchell and Blundells form now, but here is hoping.
Looking at the scorecard it just looks wrong with 5 players beneath Blundell.
Edit: going on Mitchell so far, NZ are going to need Kane to score 150+. The good news we have 4 accurate pace bowlers two with a bit of pace. GP will be interesting to see once the grass is burnt off, its already brown.
Its mr carson from Otago oval who prepared this one, not too bad for a first go but not the usual 1.5 days of greenery.
Eng need the spinner on, they were looking an insane circa 7 overs short for the day with no reason.
NZ are going alright so far, the newly-laid ground has cost them a few runs. Hopefully it quickens up to the Hagley Oval of old in the coming seasons.
The English bowling has been adequate and no more, bit too short overall. I think Henry and O'Rourke would have had them 5-6 down by now with their superior knowledge of conditions here.
Still, if Williamson can keep grinding the runs out and Mitchell doesn't do anything stupid then we should see a decent score. Apparently the average 1st Innings score here is just over 200 runs and NZ are nearly there now so looking alright.
Surprised to see Stokes at the bowling crease, he looks to be moving freely for now. More of a commentary on Woakes, Atkinson and Carse just not getting enough balls in the right place though I think.
Now Bethell at the crease, first English top order batter selected without a 1st Class century to his name since Mike Gatting apparently. He could have a pear-shaped debut if the Kiwi's can get after his bowling.
Still, if Williamson can keep grinding the runs out and Mitchell doesn't do anything stupid then we should see a decent score. Apparently the average 1st Innings score here is just over 200 runs and NZ are nearly there now so looking alright.
Surprised to see Stokes at the bowling crease, he looks to be moving freely for now. More of a commentary on Woakes, Atkinson and Carse just not getting enough balls in the right place though I think.
Now Bethell at the crease, first English top order batter selected without a 1st Class century to his name since Mike Gatting apparently. He could have a pear-shaped debut if the Kiwi's can get after his bowling.
Williamson had some luck to begin wit but has been glorious since then, If Latham or Rachin had stuc it out with him a quick fire 500 looked possible. I think if he makes a 150 they could get a solid 450, with Baz ball that could be a winner with out bowlers consistency.
Stokes was so frustrated today, got belted too so far lol, love it
Carse looked pretty good, has a bit of zip. Woakes below his level today so far.
Bethell comes with all these accolades, like Lara saying Bethell was better than him at 12. Maybe he was a boy wonder genius but it hasnt transformed to FC just yet. Odd. Eng very unlucky to lose the WK though.
Id say NZ, given the pitch is browned off already, lost all 3 wickets to shot selection rather than bowling plans etc, are a little in front, but lose Williamson and things might be more even.
Stokes was so frustrated today, got belted too so far lol, love it
Carse looked pretty good, has a bit of zip. Woakes below his level today so far.
Yeah, good to see Stokes taking some tap but the English fans will just be happy he's not hobbling around the park yet.
Read somewhere that outside of England, ie. not a Dukes ball, Woakes has a pretty average record. Most of his career highlights have come in Ol' Blighty.
And, right on cue, Mitchell gets out playing the million-dollar T20 shot. Just as well he's got that fat IPL contract to fall back on ...... oh, wait a minute.......
I wonder if Young's put that 'player of the series' trophy on top of his locker in the changing room.
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