Test Cricket England v New Zealand 2013

[anotherbob]

.... finally; not a fine example of tactical nous by the England skipper eh?

I've often heard it said that a Test captain's first priority is to win the series. Before this game we were one-up in a two-match series. Cook made certain we stayed one-up and batted NZ out of the game. Jonathan Trott gives a good defence of England's tactics on the BBC website.

[Sir Velo]

Well for once I have to say that the weather in the north has outperformed that in the south. Saying that, Cook's captaincy and Trott's batting on Sunday were too cautious by half, particularly against this oppo.

[cloughie]

Perhaps it was appropriate following his recent 200th birthday that Wagner was New Zealand's not out batsman!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i disagree about Cook; in footie managers put second XI teams out in the cup and lose, then they can not win a league game .... it is about confidence and domination ... we should know we can whack the NZ side ... it bespoke a hesitancy that could be very vulnerable to the Aussies

[Mr Pee]

Why is it ridiculous or baffling? No sport has an unlimited timeframe and they cannot just schedule another day's play. Even rain has 'stopped play' in grands prix, even to the point of cancellation.

Well yes, but if a GP has gone beyond a certain point then the leading driver at that point would be deemed to have won. But England,as I understand it, were heading for an almost certain win in this particular match, and yet because of a bit of inclement weather all their work will be for nothing and it will be declared a draw.

[aeolium]

Perhaps it was appropriate following his recent 200th birthday that Wagner was New Zealand's not out batsman!

And a Swann played an important part in the closing stages....

[anotherbob]

Well yes, but if a GP has gone beyond a certain point then the leading driver at that point would be deemed to have won.

This demonstrates the comparitive unsophistication of a motor race compared to a test match. Anyone who asks "who's winning" during a test match is asking for a lengthy dissertation on how the game could still go any of four ways, despite what the scoreboard might indicate.

[Historian]

Well yes, but if a GP has gone beyond a certain point then the leading driver at that point would be deemed to have won. But England,as I understand it, were heading for an almost certain win in this particular match, and yet because of a bit of inclement weather all their work will be for nothing and it will be declared a draw.

While I understand that Test cricket is not one of your sports of choice, England actually won the match about an hour before you posted this.

I suppose it is all part of the way the game is greatly affected by the weather.

[aeolium]

Well yes, but if a GP has gone beyond a certain point then the leading driver at that point would be deemed to have won. But England,as I understand it, were heading for an almost certain win in this particular match, and yet because of a bit of inclement weather all their work will be for nothing and it will be declared a draw.

Well, some might find it odd that in a GP a driver can 'win' (though only receiving half the maximum points) after just two laps have been completed, if the race is then suspended and cannot be restarted. Contrast that with football, for example, where if a game is called off due to bad weather (fog, snow etc) before the end no points are awarded and the teams have to replay it at a future date.

In Test cricket, any good captain has to take account of current and probable future weather in his calculations - just as team managers do in GPs in determining tyre tactics etc. One of the possibilities (probabilities in Manchester!) that a Test captain has to take into account is that play will be foreshortened by weather. England's captain in this match nearly got it wrong.

[Belgrove]

Despite a convincing victory at Leeds and the ability to win against NZ in three and a half days in both Tests (principally because of the quality of the bowling), this England side's batting line-up requires careful consideration and preparation in the intervening weeks before the Ashes commences. Nevertheless, interim injuries aside, I do not see any changes being made to the team, other than Peitersen (if fit) replacing Bairstow. This is in spite of Compton being the weak link. The selectors are a deeply conservative bunch and won't be inclined to experiment.

Cook was far too cautious tactically and in his field placements in this Test and will require much greater aggression against Australia if they are to be successful. Australia is a significantly diminished side, but they must never be underestimated (although their last performance in India was poor). Australia never gives up, least of all against England. That's why the Ashes is so special.

Roll on Trent Bridge on 10th July. Anderson has achieved most of his five wicket hauls on this ground, which responds to his ability to swing the ball with devastating effect - it's Broad's home ground too. Some rather splendid Australian wines are already chilling...

[anotherbob]

Cook was far too cautious tactically...

Have to disagree. I'm groundsman (volunteer) at a league cricket club on the Lancs side of the Pennines, and my counterparts on the Yorks side will attest to the fact that their side of the Pennines is much drier than ours. Cook's assesment of the weather prospects for today were spot on and he was quite right to bat NZ out of the game to ensure the series win. I agree with you re. defensive field settings however.

Anderson has achieved most of his five wicket hauls on this ground, which responds to his ability to swing the ball with devastating effect.

Through a set of circumstances too tedious to relate I was in the committee room at Old Trafford the day Jimmy signed pro for Lancs CCC. I watched him at Burnley CC as a Junior and it was clear he was something special.

[amateur51]

Through a set of circumstances too tedious to relate I was in the committee room at Old Trafford the day Jimmy signed pro for Lancs CCC. I watched him at Burnley CC as a Junior and it was clear he was something special.

Was it the red mohican hairdo?

[gurnemanz]

Perhaps it was appropriate following his recent 200th birthday that Wagner was New Zealand's not out batsman!

.. and both men were involved in a performance lasting 4 days

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

voices of summer article

programme

[Sir Velo]

voices of summer article

programme

Thanks CdJ; and for those who missed it, a transcript of Aggers' "prickly" post match interview with Flower. How long before Flower says enough is enough?