England cricket winter tour

289-6

Pope 87 not out
Buttler 55 not out

Was in Wharangai yesterday. Butler, Denny and Pope looked in very good shape. Small regional ground so you get some real close access to the players. 

jamescafc said:

Was in Wharangai yesterday. Butler, Denny and Pope looked in very good shape. Small regional ground so you get some real close access to the players. 

Watched Bairstow in the nets for a good 60 mins being worked relentlessly by Thorpe and Collingwood. Archer was bowling some mean left and right arm spin to him too. 

I didn’t know Archer could bowl left arm , I think I heard he started off as a spinner 

The_President said:

jamescafc said:

Was at the match today, great entertainment. Jordan bowled the super over very well. Eden Park a strange ground though as the boundaries are extremely short. 

James, good to hear from you. I did wonder if you would be at the game.

Yeah trying to do the full test tour too. Been great fun so far, seems to be a great camaraderie between the BA and the players which makes it even more enjoyable (plus we have Bumble down here. The guy is nuts).

Addick Addict said:

Looks like there is just the one place up for grabs and that is the bowling spot to add to Broad, Archer, Leach and Stokes - team selection for this match suggests that it was likely to be Sam Curran (who does offer the left arm option) but I suspect he will need to improve on his match figures of 17-0-58-0 to cement his place in the side.

And as if by magic Curran gets a wicket. NZ 70-3 and still 32 behnd

8 down now, another wicket for Curran

looking forward to the two tests.

i got sky sports for the next month so get to see the lads in action for the first time in a winter tour for years. (apart from when BT sports had the ashes down under) only annoyance from me is the same the last few times we played New Zealand. not enough tests. well matched and on the most part thrilling but we had to limit the amount because of other duties usually involving the ever loud over bearing voice of short form cricket. 

Defo mate, not sure what days I’m down there for yet. Driving down from Auckland so hoping to sort out a decent Airbnb near the mount so I can have a few beers during the day. 

kentaddick said:

cantersaddick said:

oohaahmortimer said:

jamescafc said:

Was in Wharangai yesterday. Butler, Denny and Pope looked in very good shape. Small regional ground so you get some real close access to the players. 

Watched Bairstow in the nets for a good 60 mins being worked relentlessly by Thorpe and Collingwood. Archer was bowling some mean left and right arm spin to him too. 

I didn’t know Archer could bowl left arm , I think I heard he started off as a spinner 

Can bowl 80mph with his left arm. Was gonna say wrong arm but that's technically wrong as he writes with his left hand.

Wow, didn't know he bowls with his "wrong" arm, maybe explains his rather relaxed looking action, as he doesn't have as much power on that side of his body. 

Think he is one of those freaks of nature who are equally competent (or exceptional) with both!

Predicted team now confirmed:

Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad.

cantersaddick said:

Think that's the best team we can put out. 

As I said above there are question marks over the Butler/Bairstow/Foakes argument and I can see arguments for both Curran/Woakes. If we can get Jimmy back fit then we would need to find a place for him. 

But right now think the selectors have got it right. Haven't said that for a while. 

And only three players that are products of counties north of Watford. In 2015 we only had two players from the south and one of them was the captain!

Good to see Pope back, I think he will make a big impact in test cricket, in the years ahead