England v New Zealand - Lords

[Number 1 Jasper]

148-1 Latham out .

[Number 1 Jasper]

148-2 Guptil out .

[pompeygunner]

NZ 245-2. Our attack atm looking pretty insipid, distinct lack of cutting edge.

[pompeygunner]

303-2 @ close of play. Sadly our bowling lets us down today, not enough balls on the stumps leading to the an easy ish ride for the NZ batsmen.
I hope we have some other up n coming bowlers lined up within the next 18mths because Jimmy is past his best IMO & Broad for me is either struggling after yet another injury or is similar to Jimmy in that his time in the sun is coming to an end.
All that said this is a fine NZ team just lacking a top quality spinner.

[Weybridge]

303-2 @ close of play. Sadly our bowling lets us down today, not enough balls on the stumps leading to the an easy ish ride for the NZ batsmen.
I hope we have some other up n coming bowlers lined up within the next 18mths because Jimmy is past his best IMO & Broad for me is either struggling after yet another injury or is similar to Jimmy in that his time in the sun is coming to an end.
All that said this is a fine NZ team just lacking a top quality spinner.

A little bit harsh I think. Both Anderson and Broad went for less than 3 an over, whereas Stokes and Wood were closer to 5.

[Earl Grey]

Although I only watch Ch5 highlights I think the pitch was just not going to help.

The only possibility is the ball may move in the air this morning but you can't see NZ losing 8 wickets for less than 120 which will give them a useful lead....and, of course, it may be a great deal more than that.

But the pitch may deteriorate and it may be difficult for the Kiwis on the last day.

Good Test match, this.

[pompeygunner]

303-2 @ close of play. Sadly our bowling lets us down today, not enough balls on the stumps leading to the an easy ish ride for the NZ batsmen.
I hope we have some other up n coming bowlers lined up within the next 18mths because Jimmy is past his best IMO & Broad for me is either struggling after yet another injury or is similar to Jimmy in that his time in the sun is coming to an end.
All that said this is a fine NZ team just lacking a top quality spinner.

A little bit harsh I think. Both Anderson and Broad went for less than 3 an over, whereas Stokes and Wood were closer to 5.

Maybe but we didn't threaten the stumps enough for me, those figures you quote are a tad misleading. Jimmy & Broady rarely looked dangerous.

[Lost in Transportation]

Its a flat pitch now. New Zealand need to bat all day and into tomorrow and put scoreboard pressure onto England.

[Earl Grey]

Its a flat pitch now. New Zealand need to bat all day and into tomorrow and put scoreboard pressure onto England.

Yes...it's looking more and more as if the last team to bat on this strip will be England, not the Kiwis.

It'd take a Kevin Pietersen to change that..............

Update: 507-8 and just the bunnies left to support Watling.

Now looking like a lead that's not enough to prevent the Kiwis from batting last.

Expect a short and cheerful heave-ho from NZ to give them a go at England towards the end of the final session.

[pompeygunner]

If the forecast is correct then the weather will come into play tomorrow. England have bowled far better today & Stokes has been so very unlucky. England could perhaps should have restricted NZ to a lead of maybe 60 if those catches of yesterday & today had stuck.
NZ have to be favs but if it rains persistently tomorrow I wouldn't bet against a draw.
As an aside & sadly Jimmy A has been a pale shadow, these are his sort of conditions but the old magic seems to have deserted him.
Edit to say NZ all out for 523, lead by 134. 67 extras in that innings though which is awful.
31 overs left today for England to try & lay down some sort of marker.
23-1, Lyth gone for 12.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

Bell out 3rd ball today but Root and Cook have put on 50 runs Cook currently on 55 not out

131 for 3 3 runs behind

[pompeygunner]

Helluva days cricket. England after losing Bell 3rd ball of the day have moved on to 429-6. Cook is 153 n.o., Root made 84 & Stokes scored a blistering 101 including 3 sixes. Moeen is not out on 19 with Cook. England lead by 295.
All 3 results possible going into the final day. Great game. I wonder whether Cook will go for quick runs tomorrow maybe add 60/70 & then try & get them in before lunch.
Then its over to Jimmy & Broady to do the bizz.

[just blue]

Stokes scored a blistering 101 including 3 sixes.

Stokes's 85-ball ton was the fastest in a Test at Lord's and he completed the fastest Test hundred by an England batsman since Gilbert Jessop's 76-ball century in 1902.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32869388

[pompeygunner]

Genuinley thrilling test match. England won by 124 runs bowling NZ out for 220. Amazing stuff when you consider the 1st 2 days. Stokes reminded me of Flintoff. 193 runs in the match & those 3 crucial wickets including 2 in 2 balls the 2nd accounting for McCullum. Stokes MoM.
Brilliant stuff.

[Earl Grey]

Stokes MoM.

No arguments there!