Test series vs New Zealand

[number11]

I saw up to lunch last night and the commentators all seemed to agree there was a bit in the pitch, though last night and today would be the best days for batting, and our score of 340 was a decent knock. Was a shame we couldnt add more than 50 for those last 5 wickets, but to rip them out cheaply put it in perspective.

Anderson's first two wickets were beauties. Agree with the Harmison comparisons, he seems to blow hot and cold too much, but Anderson appears to ahve more heart (could you see Harmison touring and carry drinks for several tours like Jimmy has). Plus Anderson is one of the best fielders for a bowler England have had.

Game is really in Englands control now, plenty of match time to bat til tomorrow lunch time and give us 5 sessions to bowl them out.

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Sort of related question. Is Nasser commentating on this match. If not, that panel has such a Northen bias it's unreal. And I can't stand Allott !

 

[number11]

Sort of related question. Is Nasser commentating on this match. If not, that panel has such a Northen bias it's unreal. And I can't stand Allott !

Also, what are Bob Willis's main Country ties? He was positively purring over Ambrose last night and wondered if it was a Warwickshire thing. Certainly unlike Bob to praise anbody who played for England since 1985!

 

[The General]

Jimmy's first wicket was an absolute stonker. Love it when those stumps are ripped out the ground and go flying everywhere!!

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Also, what are Bob Willis's main Country ties? He was positively purring over Ambrose last night and wondered if it was a Warwickshire thing. Certainly unlike Bob to praise anbody who played for England since 1985!

Yep, he's a Warwickshire stalwart.

Did they put him and Allott on together, that would be a great cure for insomnia.

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Jimmy's first wicket was an absolute stonker. Love it when those stumps are ripped out the ground and go flying everywhere!!

Wasn't the greatest shot in the world though, trying to whip a ball on middle and off through mid-wicket.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Sort of related question. Is Nasser commentating on this match. If not, that panel has such a Northen bias it's unreal. And I can't stand Allott !

Don't know where Nasser is for this test. Shame as he's one of Sky's best pundits.

It is obvious from listening to them, which of the commentators were decent England captains. Atherton and Hussain are perceptive, whilst the likes of Botham knee-jerks, Willis drones on negatively. Gower occasionally makes a decent point but normally can't be bothered.

I'm no fan of Allott, but I'd take him ahead of Bob Willis every time.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Don't know where Nasser is for this test. Shame as he's one of Sky's best pundits.

It is obvious from listening to them, which of the commentators were decent England captains. Atherton and Hussain are perceptive, whilst the likes of Botham knee-jerks, Willis drones on negatively. Gower occasionally makes a decent point but normally can't be bothered.

I'm no fan of Allott, but I'd take him ahead of Bob Willis every time.

Agreed with all that, I cannot stand Willis, but what about Bumble?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Agreed with all that, I cannot stand Willis, but what about Bumble?

Bumble is good entertainment value.

He is the author of my all-time favourite sporting quote "If Nathan Astle is a better bowler than Graham Thorpe, my **** is a fire engine."

 

[BrettieAngell]

Bumble is good entertainment value.

He is the author of my all-time favourite sporting quote "If Nathan Astle is a better bowler than Graham Thorpe, my **** is a fire engine."

I never used to like him I have to admit but I do now, he has a laugh and definitely livens things up.

 

[number11]

Don't know where Nasser is for this test. Shame as he's one of Sky's best pundits.

It is obvious from listening to them, which of the commentators were decent England captains. Atherton and Hussain are perceptive, whilst the likes of Botham knee-jerks, Willis drones on negatively. Gower occasionally makes a decent point but normally can't be bothered.

I'm no fan of Allott, but I'd take him ahead of Bob Willis every time.

Has anyone heard the former Indian batsman Sidhu commentate? He would come up with the most bizarre and prosiac analagies (I remember him saying something like "A Rose may smell nicer than a cabbage, but does not make better soup" when discussing the merits of picking some batsman or another). He sounded more barking then Bumble. Think he might be banged up now or something though?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Has anyone heard the former Indian batsman Sidhu commentate? He would come up with the most bizarre and prosiac analagies (I remember him saying something like "A Rose may smell nicer than a cabbage, but does not make better soup" when discussing the merits of picking some batsman or another). He sounded more barking then Bumble. Think he might be banged up now or something though?

Sidhu is a legend.

His cricinfo profile is quite good

I'll try and find the web-site dedicated to his commentary gems.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Wiki says he was found guilty of culpable homicide

Sidhuisms

 

[Grayson]

Speaking of commentators, how refreshing it is to hear the other team's representatives not talk complete bias rubbish. Hate it when we play Asian teams, they're not at all impartial and just witter on about their favourite players. The NZ guys take the **** out of their own players, such as on Mark Gillespie last night. Was much more entertaining than "Tendoolkaar hits it for four! What a super shot, he weeelly is the little marstar".

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Speaking of commentators, how refreshing it is to hear the other team's representatives not talk complete bias rubbish. Hate it when we play Asian teams, they're not at all impartial and just witter on about their favourite players. The NZ guys take the **** out of their own players, such as on Mark Gillespie last night. Was much more entertaining than "Tendoolkaar hits it for four! What a super shot, he weeelly is the little marstar".

I think that is more of a case of self-preservation. Criticising Tendulkar will probably get you lynched in India. Even someone independently-minded like Tony Grieg, always seems to be very toadying towards to India's superstars. I suppose he knows what side his bread is buttered on.

 

[number11]

Sidhu is a legend.

His cricinfo profile is quite good

I'll try and find the web-site dedicated to his commentary gems.

Cheers for that! I first heard him commentate when I was in New Zealand and they were playing over there. The following summer he appeared a bit on Channel 4 I think when India toured here. Entertainingly bizarre, but only in small doses!

I presume Nasser just has other engagements for this test, as Im sure Ive heard him commentate on the one dayers and the tests. Generally I quite like the Sky set-up now. Not a patch on channel 4 obviously (one of the best commentary teams put together for any sport), but Botham has become less wooden and bombastic, and the addition of Atherton and Hussein has added gravitas. Willis is one of the most pessimistic commentators ever, and not a patch on Boycs for the devils advocate role..... but at least he isnt afraid of offending anyone. During his weighty post ashes rants I thought he was going to explode and his voice would regularly go up a notch higher when he was talking about the bowlers. Bumble, provides a bit of entertainment...as for Allott....dont really see the point of him.

 

[MrB]

6 wickets in hand, let's make sure that lead gets above 400!

 

[canveyshrimper]

England have a lead of 421 at the end of day 3, which should be a winning position, however New Zealand will have the best part of 2 days and 180 overs to reach their target.

 

[Bluesmanager]

We've got, what, 1 wicket left, right? I'd go for 450, and declare, if the wicket hasn't fallen already. That ought to do it nicely. And given the NZ performance in the last innings, I'm confident we can take them out in 180.

 

[The Big Shrimp]

We've got, what, 1 wicket left, right? I'd go for 450, and declare, if the wicket hasn't fallen already. That ought to do it nicely. And given the NZ performance in the last innings, I'm confident we can take them out in 180.

I don't think Anderson or Panesar have scored 29 runs between them in the last 2 years, if ever!!

Declare now & give the bowlers at least 3 new balls at the Kiwi's