England v New Zealand Test Series 2022

Always dangerous to right Bairstow off, the media were suggesting he was under pressure for his place, but they have short memories, he scored an Ashes century, & another in the Caribbean. I guess today showed a plus side of rocking-up for a Test series, straight from the IPL.
Surprising what can be achieved with a ham & cheese toastie, & a cup of coffee.

Jamie Overton has been added to the squad for the 3rd Test at Headingley. His twin brother Craig has been retained in an otherwise unchanged squad.

First Michael Bracewell, & now Devon Conway have tested positive for covid, & are set to undergo a 5 day isolation period. Both players are expected to be available for the 3rd Test. Kane Williamson has already re-joined the squad.

^It was bad enough when NZ couldn't replace Kyle Jamieson after he went down (the ICC really have to address this) but - and lets hope both Bracewell and Conway are fit (no guarantee with covid) but if not, What are NZ options??

I had a feeling that both Overton twins would feature at some point! Both have qualities that can only benefit England.

England have been docked 2 points in the WTC & players fined 40% of their match fee, for a slow over-rate. They have now lost a total of 10 points in the current cycle, after losing 8 in the Ashes.

^This really is such BS!! Ask any fan at the last match in particular, whether they felt short changed with the way the game panned out (except the freeloaders on the last day - not including children). Like Nadals' serve in tennis and the shot clock, it is an ass of a law and a solution looking for a problem! As you will gather, I think attempts should have been made to ascertain how many of those that attended days 1 - 4 wished to return for the finish ( assuming no other commitments) and the gates flung open for them.

I said in another post about just how surprised i was that Warwickshire allowed a free day on the final day instead of a token charge. I know they are one of the bigger counties, but can any of them spurn the opportunity to bring in revenue??

^^ In terms of free entry, I, believe that a Test Match is budgeted for 4 days, as it is common for a game to be over or have minimal play on day 5. I assume that a freebie will at least double or triple the expected paying attendance, & any ticket sale loss will be more than made up with food, alcohol & merchandize.

Whilst I agree that the public got value for money, that is not always the case, or the point. Different sport, but how would you feel if th players walked off after 85 minutes ?
Far too much time wasting in cricket, in this match, after taking an early tea, England were minutes late in bowling the 1st ball, having to be cajoled by the umpire. Late due to a discussion about field placings etc. this could all have been decided during the rain the break, as the early tea was decided ahead of time.
Championship cricket gets it right, all allotted overs are bowled, except when there's a long rain delay. Tea isn't taken until two thirds of the overs have been bowled, which prevents an overly long final session. This acts as an incentive to keep the game moving in the 1lst 2 sessions.
Umpires are at fault, they just aren't strong enough. Look at how the players hussle when they are on top, at the end of a session to bowl the extra overs, & slow it down when the batsmen are a top. They are altering the course of the game. When a draw is achieved on the last day 9 wickets down & these tactics have been employed, they have cheated. I wonder if the management pays for the fines in these cases as a reward for saving the game.

(17-06-2022 08:36 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ In terms of free entry, I, believe that a Test Match is budgeted for 4 days, as it is common for a game to be over or have minimal play on day 5. I assume that a freebie will at least double or triple the expected paying attendance, & any ticket sale loss will be more than made up with food, alcohol & merchandize.

Whilst I agree that the public got value for money, that is not always the case, or the point. Different sport, but how would you feel if th players walked off after 85 minutes ?
Far too much time wasting in cricket, in this match, after taking an early tea, England were minutes late in bowling the 1st ball, having to be cajoled by the umpire. Late due to a discussion about field placings etc. this could all have been decided during the rain the break, as the early tea was decided ahead of time.
Championship cricket gets it right, all allotted overs are bowled, except when there's a long rain delay. Tea isn't taken until two thirds of the overs have been bowled, which prevents an overly long final session. This acts as an incentive to keep the game moving in the 1lst 2 sessions.
Umpires are at fault, they just aren't strong enough. Look at how the players hussle when they are on top, at the end of a session to bowl the extra overs, & slow it down when the batsmen are a top. They are altering the course of the game. When a draw is achieved on the last day 9 wickets down & these tactics have been employed, they have cheated. I wonder if the management pays for the fines in these cases as a reward for saving the game.

I could not have expressed these points any better Booms, and I concur from first to last! The authorities are culpable throughout all this. From Umpires to administrators, and all points in between. If the authorities are going to make laws, then implement them at all times. I know I said that over rate was not that important when you get the type of entertainment the last test provided, but I agree with all the principles you state for the good of the sport overall.

How did we get to the point where players were dictating how much play we get?? Should they be allowed to just walk off at an arbitrary cut off point if the overs bowled are incomplete?? - not just at the end of a days play, but per session?? Eat (excuse the pun) into their lunch and tea to ensure 30 overs per session, and see the reaction. They used to have to bowl them, and they should be compelled to do so again.

You are right in highlighting yet another way in which county championship cricket is leading the way, and that is in terms of over rate!

Some times it is the batsmen at fault - as you point out also, and one sure fire way of stopping that, is to allow the bowler to bowl when he/she is ready regardless of whether the batsman is or not! I question whether the batsman should be able to stop the bowler in the final strides of his run up/action sometimes! I get it if some dumb fan or - worse - steward walks in front of the sightscreens - to take one example, but I question whether all the apparent 'distractions' are legit! Again, the umpire could determine that perhaps and act accordingly.

Stokes is unwell & hasn't travelled to Leeds for the preparations for the 3rd Test. He returned a negative covid test, & will re-test if he has any of the common symptoms.
If Stokes is unavailable, it will affect the sides balance, with no like-for-like replacement. As a vice-captain hasn't been named, it could signal a one-off return for Root to captain the side.
There's also a possibility of the Overton twins playing, Jamie is yet un-capped. If the match last 5 days, there are just 3 days before the re-scheduled Test Match against India at Edgbaston, which will complete the 5 match series from last year, after the Old Trafford Test was cancelled due to covid in the India camp. India are 2-1 up.
With the New Zealand series already in the bag, England may consider resting Broad &, or Anderson.

Breaking news :- Stokes passes fitness test, but Anderson misses out due to an ankle niggle, Jamie Overton will make his debut, in an otherwise unchanged XI.