England Test series v New Zealand (2 matches)

New Zealand 1st Test Team
Latham, Conway, Williamson, Nicholls, Mitchell, Blundell (w), Bracewell, Kuggeleijn, Southee ©, Wagner, Tickner

Well that was definitely a interesting day ones coverage some exciting batting by England mixed up with some average then switch the lights on and the bowling and some damage was caused
Let's see what day 2 brings

First Test - Bay Oval, Tauranga.

New Zealand v England - Day Two

England 1st inns: 325/9 dec.

New Zealand 1st inns: 306 all out
Blundell 138, Conway 77
Robinson 4/54, Anderson 3/36.

England 2nd inns: 79/2
Crawley 28, Duckett 25
Kuggeleijn 1/2.

England lead by 98 runs.

Close of play.

First Test - Bay Oval, Tauranga.

New Zealand v England - Day Three

England 1st inns: 325/9 dec.
New Zealand 1st inns: 306 all out

England 2nd inns: 374 all out
Root 57, Brook 54, Foakes 51
Tickner 3/55, Bracewell 3/68

New Zealand 2nd inns: 63/5
Bracewell 25no
Broad 4/21
(requiring 394 to win)

Close of play.

First Test - Bay Oval, Tauranga.

New Zealand v England - Day Four

England 1st inns: 325/9 dec.
New Zealand 1st inns: 306 all out
England 2nd inns: 374 all out

New Zealand Target to win: 394
New Zealand 2nd inns: 126 all out
Mitchell 57no.
Anderson 4/18, Broad 4/49

Player of the match: Harry Brook

England won by 267 runs and lead series 1-0.

In the England squad we have a Pope, 3 Ben's, a Stokes, a Foakes, 2 Ollie's and and an Olly . I know I know, little things please little minds .

(19-02-2023 23:19 )Snooks Wrote:  a Stokes, a Foakes

But no Woakes (although he did play for England only 3 weeks ago).

I would be interested in the difference in the attendances between this Day/Night Test & the up-coming 2nd Test. At times the crowd numbers fell in the last session, which is expected to be better attended, as people have finished work.
I'm not a fan. The spectator experience is poor, the pink ball is hard to track, watching in the ground, & not much better on tv. Overall, there are more negatives than positives, & if as I suspect there are minimal or no financial gains, then is it worth it, when you get a sub-standard Test Match.

This was the 1st England Test win in New Zealand since 08, which was the start of the Anderson, Broad partnership, who have just passed the Warne & McGrath record of most Test wickets by a pair in the same matches.1000+ & counting.

The pro-active declaration & fast batting rate enabled England to bowl at the Kiwi top order in both innings under lights when the most movement as on offer. This is a quality batting order, Nicholls has a better record than most of England's batsmen, he stands out as the only player out of form.
They missed Jamieson who has just had back surgery, & Henry will return after the birth of his child. Playing 2 debutant bowlers isn't ideal, Boult could've been selected, but as a none contracted player, the selectors have opted to show loyalty to those fully committed to Test Match Cricket. The way that our batsmen attacked Wagner in our 2nd innings was amazing. as he went for almost 8.5 an over. Compare that to Andeson, his 7 wickets cost less than 8 runs each.