England vs New Zealand, First Test, Lords

Brad · 14th May 2008, 02:10

vs

England (from): M Vaughan (capt), A Cook, A Strauss, K Pietersen, I Bell, P Collingwood, T Ambrose (wkt), S Broad, R Sidebottom, M Panesar, J Anderson, M Hoggard.

New Zealand (expected): A Redmond, J How, J Marshall, R Taylor, B McCullum, D Flynn, J Oram, D Vettori, T Southee, K Mills, C Martin

England coach Peter Moores has urged his side to pick up where they left off in New Zealand last winter when the return Test series begins on Thursday.

England won 2-1 against the Kiwis in March and Moores told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We have to try to carry the momentum we picked up into this series.

"If we do, I think we've got a great chance of being successful."

Moores revealed Monty Panesar will play which means either James Anderson or Matthew Hoggard is going to miss out.

Hoggard, who was dropped by England after the first Test defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton, has taken 10 wickets for Yorkshire and returned 3-59 for England Lions against New Zealand before his recall.

Anderson - Hoggard's replacement for the second and third Tests in New Zealand - put a slow start to the domestic season behind him by returning match figures of 9-77 in Lancashire's County Championship victory over Durham.

But only one will be included at Lord's as Moores opts to deploy a bowling attack consisting of three seamers and one spinner.

"In cloudy conditions against the West Indies in the first Test last summer people said, 'should you have played a spinner?' and Monty got a five-for so I think it's always good to have a spinner in your squad," he said.

The Black Caps' last visit to England saw them suffer a 2-0 series defeat and on this occasion their preparations were disrupted by the participation of five key players in the Indian Premier League.

In addition, they are without their talismanic former captain Stephen Fleming, who retired after the series against England in New Zealand, and pace bowler Shane Bond, who has been banned from the national side following his participation in the Indian Cricket League.

But Moores insists his side will not be taking their opponents lightly.

"You underestimate somebody at your peril," he said. "They are tough and have got some good cricketers.

"We saw that (in the draw) against the Lions last week. It's going to be tough cricket and it would be wrong for anybody to think England are going to pitch up and just win because we won't unless we play some really good cricket."

England were widely expected to claim a 3-0 series triumph in New Zealand but the hosts caused something of a surprise by winning the first Test and taking the early initiative in the second.

As England step up their preparations for the 2009 Ashes, many are again expecting a series whitewash but Kiwi seamer Chris Martin feels such a prediction will benefit the tourists.

"There is a lot of hype that they should stamp on us and destroy us," he said.

"So that is probably something - if they are not doing that - that makes them feel the pressure a bit more.

"That will do us a favour in some ways, so that's good."

While New Zealand are set to be boosted by the return to fitness of their captain Daniel Vettori, Moores admitted Andrew Flintoff would have been included in the England squad had he been fit.

The Lancashire all-rounder, who has not played a home Test match since June 2006, had returned to form with the ball following a fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle.

But he picked up a side strain during Lancashire's Championship victory over Durham and it is unclear how long he will be sidelined for.

"He's been carefully monitored by the medical team and his ankle has done very well," said Moores.

"We know that the way he bowls demands the rest of his body to be fit but we would have picked him in the squad and assessed exactly where he is and if he had been ready for this Test match.

"Most of my time as coach has unfortunately been without Freddie through injury but we're not going to rush him back.

"He has done what is required to get selected and it's unfortunate that he got this side strain, but hopefully it is not too serious and we can get it cleared up quickly."

Utd heap · 14th May 2008, 17:09

Should beat 'em comfortably at home.
Looking forward to the SA series considerably more.

Addict · 14th May 2008, 17:20

i got tomorrow and friday off so i'm going to sit and watch cricket all day

we should win the test matches easily, not sure about the one dayers though..

oleonenumber20 · 14th May 2008, 18:35

Should be a comfortable win but I can see NZ pulling of a draw or win somewhere. Thought Hoggy had done enough to earn a recall though, Anderson is too inconsistent for test cricket.

malcolm31337 · 14th May 2008, 20:43

Well, theres plenty of rain for the tomorrow so first test could be a bore draw. Cant wait for some good test cricket though, 3 glorious sessions a day. Im a massive fan of 2020, but this is what the game is all about.

3Sixty · 15th May 2008, 10:09

Will be a draw, be raining all weekend.

Sultan · 15th May 2008, 16:48

Forgot what proper cricket was like.

3Sixty · 15th May 2008, 19:09

McCullum pissed me off today, play some awful shots and kept getting away with it, not to mention being plum for leg before 3 times.

Red442 · 15th May 2008, 20:39

I feel slightly robbed that the selectors' risks keep paying off. Why they persist in picking Anderson over Hoggard is beyond me, and I'm a fan of Anderson. Hoggard has earnt that place over years of solid, reliable service; Anderson stole that place as far as I'm concerned.

Sultan · 15th May 2008, 21:04

To be fair, the quality of cricket on show is pretty dire.

There's a real glut of quality fast bowlers in world cricket.

malcolm31337 · 15th May 2008, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultan

To be fair, the quality of cricket on show is pretty dire.

There's a real glut of quality fast bowlers in world cricket.

True. There a few good ones around, but not like in the 80s, early 90s.

McCullum has saved NZ. Still think this test will be a draw.

oleonenumber20 · 16th May 2008, 10:02

the NZ middle order will always be dangerous, Vettori is always hard to get out and Southee will be trying to proove a point.
But there does seem to be a glut of pure fast bowlers. Steyn looks good. But have England got a bowler capable of bowling in the 90's? If Anderson could up his pace and become more consistant then he could be a great bowler, but although he is getting wickets I cant see him doing anything different to Hoggard and you never know what player will turn up when you pick Anderson.
I was impressed by Broad yesterday had McCullum on trouble a few times.

3Sixty · 16th May 2008, 10:29

Flintoff when fully fit can bowl in the 90s, i was at the England VS India ODI at the rosebowl last year, he was constantly around 92mph.

I like the pick of Anderson ahead of Hoggy, him and Sidebottom are too alike and he is undroppable right now, just like Hoggy was a few years back.

oleonenumber20 · 16th May 2008, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Sixty

Flintoff when fully fit can bowl in the 90s, i was at the England VS India ODI at the rosebowl last year, he was constantly around 92mph.

I like the pick of Anderson ahead of Hoggy, him and Sidebottom are too alike and he is undroppable right now, just like Hoggy was a few years back.

but when was the last time Freddie was fully fit? what has his speeds been like in county this season?

Brad · 17th May 2008, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultan

To be fair, the quality of cricket on show is pretty dire.

There's a real glut of quality fast bowlers in world cricket.

What do you put it down to Sults?

Seems conditions are just too favourable to batsmen for me. I was pleased to read in the Times last week they are dispensing with this carbon fibre bat nonense, and going back to more traditional wood only bats. I fancy that bowlers now aren't that much worse than bowlers back in the day, although we may have a dearth of the truely top class ones who live long in the memory, but that conditions are showing them up to be worse than they are

Steev · 17th May 2008, 01:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultan

To be fair, the quality of cricket on show is pretty dire.

There's a real glut of quality fast bowlers in world cricket.

There was an article in "The Cricketer" recently about the revival of fast bowlers in world cricket. I'll try and dig it out later when I'm less drunk.

Rams · 17th May 2008, 11:21

Sidebottom is becoming a serious bowler. The England attack is starting to look threatning again. If you add Flinthoff and possibly Jones to the equasion, then things could be very good again.

3Sixty · 17th May 2008, 11:24

I think Jones is done to be honest, i think we still need a hit the deck bowler, and all bias aside Tremlett is brilliant.

Rams · 17th May 2008, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Sixty

I think Jones is done to be honest.

is he?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...re/7405435.stm

Cupid Stunt · 17th May 2008, 11:40

I hope Jones is as rapid as he was, he's also great at the end of an innings with the reverse swing he offers. Only time will tell if he can regain that Ashes form.

Sultan · 17th May 2008, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

What do you put it down to Sults?

Seems conditions are just too favourable to batsmen for me. I was pleased to read in the Times last week they are dispensing with this carbon fibre bat nonense, and going back to more traditional wood only bats. I fancy that bowlers now aren't that much worse than bowlers back in the day, although we may have a dearth of the truely top class ones who live long in the memory, but that conditions are showing them up to be worse than they are

I suppose cricket is now dominated by the shorter version of the game. Groundsmen are now obliged to prepare batter friendly wickets, that offer little bounce, and only sideways movement whilst the ball is new. Not conducive to fast bowling, and definitely not worth busting your guts over.

GiggsysGirl · 18th May 2008, 09:12

Harmison breaks Hoggard's thumb.

Argument over.

3Sixty · 18th May 2008, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams

is he?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...re/7405435.stm

I just don't see him returning to the england team, you know what the selectors are like.

massey · 18th May 2008, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupid Stunt

I hope Jones is as rapid as he was, he's also great at the end of an innings with the reverse swing he offers. Only time will tell if he can regain that Ashes form.

Jones will never be regular and is the cricket equivelant of saha as sad as it is to say.Watch out for broad he has a proper seam action to get the reverse old ball cutting back.

GiggsysGirl · 19th May 2008, 13:31

Oh dear...

3Sixty · 19th May 2008, 13:39

Im bowled over.

Utd heap · 19th May 2008, 17:00

Bllody hell.
Oh and in the Crciket, we hinted at bowling 'em out cheaply, but it will fade into a draw now...

Brad · 19th May 2008, 17:58

Oh dear indeed

I somehow conspired not to see a single ball bowled in this match. And it seems I missed little in my absence. Manc weather is all over the place at the moment, could be one of those series

3Sixty · 19th May 2008, 18:30

Tremlett called into squad, would like to see him play rather than miss our games due to carrying drinks.

14th May 2008, 02:10	#1 (permalink)
Brad The Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 17,536	England vs New Zealand, First Test, Lords vs England (from): M Vaughan (capt), A Cook, A Strauss, K Pietersen, I Bell, P Collingwood, T Ambrose (wkt), S Broad, R Sidebottom, M Panesar, J Anderson, M Hoggard. New Zealand (expected): A Redmond, J How, J Marshall, R Taylor, B McCullum, D Flynn, J Oram, D Vettori, T Southee, K Mills, C Martin England coach Peter Moores has urged his side to pick up where they left off in New Zealand last winter when the return Test series begins on Thursday. England won 2-1 against the Kiwis in March and Moores told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We have to try to carry the momentum we picked up into this series. "If we do, I think we've got a great chance of being successful." Moores revealed Monty Panesar will play which means either James Anderson or Matthew Hoggard is going to miss out. Hoggard, who was dropped by England after the first Test defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton, has taken 10 wickets for Yorkshire and returned 3-59 for England Lions against New Zealand before his recall. Anderson - Hoggard's replacement for the second and third Tests in New Zealand - put a slow start to the domestic season behind him by returning match figures of 9-77 in Lancashire's County Championship victory over Durham. But only one will be included at Lord's as Moores opts to deploy a bowling attack consisting of three seamers and one spinner. "In cloudy conditions against the West Indies in the first Test last summer people said, 'should you have played a spinner?' and Monty got a five-for so I think it's always good to have a spinner in your squad," he said. The Black Caps' last visit to England saw them suffer a 2-0 series defeat and on this occasion their preparations were disrupted by the participation of five key players in the Indian Premier League. In addition, they are without their talismanic former captain Stephen Fleming, who retired after the series against England in New Zealand, and pace bowler Shane Bond, who has been banned from the national side following his participation in the Indian Cricket League. But Moores insists his side will not be taking their opponents lightly. "You underestimate somebody at your peril," he said. "They are tough and have got some good cricketers. "We saw that (in the draw) against the Lions last week. It's going to be tough cricket and it would be wrong for anybody to think England are going to pitch up and just win because we won't unless we play some really good cricket." England were widely expected to claim a 3-0 series triumph in New Zealand but the hosts caused something of a surprise by winning the first Test and taking the early initiative in the second. As England step up their preparations for the 2009 Ashes, many are again expecting a series whitewash but Kiwi seamer Chris Martin feels such a prediction will benefit the tourists. "There is a lot of hype that they should stamp on us and destroy us," he said. "So that is probably something - if they are not doing that - that makes them feel the pressure a bit more. "That will do us a favour in some ways, so that's good." While New Zealand are set to be boosted by the return to fitness of their captain Daniel Vettori, Moores admitted Andrew Flintoff would have been included in the England squad had he been fit. The Lancashire all-rounder, who has not played a home Test match since June 2006, had returned to form with the ball following a fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle. But he picked up a side strain during Lancashire's Championship victory over Durham and it is unclear how long he will be sidelined for. "He's been carefully monitored by the medical team and his ankle has done very well," said Moores. "We know that the way he bowls demands the rest of his body to be fit but we would have picked him in the squad and assessed exactly where he is and if he had been ready for this Test match. "Most of my time as coach has unfortunately been without Freddie through injury but we're not going to rush him back. "He has done what is required to get selected and it's unfortunate that he got this side strain, but hopefully it is not too serious and we can get it cleared up quickly."

14th May 2008, 17:09	#2 (permalink)
Utd heap Last Man Standing (joint) Champion 2008 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London, mostly. Manchester, matchdays. Posts: 6,585	Should beat 'em comfortably at home. Looking forward to the SA series considerably more.

14th May 2008, 17:20	#3 (permalink)
Addict Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,520	i got tomorrow and friday off so i'm going to sit and watch cricket all day we should win the test matches easily, not sure about the one dayers though..

14th May 2008, 18:35	#4 (permalink)
oleonenumber20 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,004	Should be a comfortable win but I can see NZ pulling of a draw or win somewhere. Thought Hoggy had done enough to earn a recall though, Anderson is too inconsistent for test cricket.

14th May 2008, 20:43	#5 (permalink)
malcolm31337 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: 93, 94, 96, 97, 99, 00, 01, 03, 07...08! CHAMPIONS! Posts: 3,485	Well, theres plenty of rain for the tomorrow so first test could be a bore draw. Cant wait for some good test cricket though, 3 glorious sessions a day. Im a massive fan of 2020, but this is what the game is all about.

15th May 2008, 10:09	#6 (permalink)
3Sixty Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St Marys Dugout Posts: 918	Will be a draw, be raining all weekend.

15th May 2008, 16:48	#7 (permalink)
Sultan Bearded and Wise Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith. Posts: 15,053	Forgot what proper cricket was like.

15th May 2008, 19:09	#8 (permalink)
3Sixty Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St Marys Dugout Posts: 918	McCullum pissed me off today, play some awful shots and kept getting away with it, not to mention being plum for leg before 3 times.

15th May 2008, 20:39	#9 (permalink)
Red442 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here> Posts: 1,219	I feel slightly robbed that the selectors' risks keep paying off. Why they persist in picking Anderson over Hoggard is beyond me, and I'm a fan of Anderson. Hoggard has earnt that place over years of solid, reliable service; Anderson stole that place as far as I'm concerned.

15th May 2008, 21:04	#10 (permalink)
Sultan Bearded and Wise Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith. Posts: 15,053	To be fair, the quality of cricket on show is pretty dire. There's a real glut of quality fast bowlers in world cricket.

16th May 2008, 10:02	#12 (permalink)
oleonenumber20 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,004	the NZ middle order will always be dangerous, Vettori is always hard to get out and Southee will be trying to proove a point. But there does seem to be a glut of pure fast bowlers. Steyn looks good. But have England got a bowler capable of bowling in the 90's? If Anderson could up his pace and become more consistant then he could be a great bowler, but although he is getting wickets I cant see him doing anything different to Hoggard and you never know what player will turn up when you pick Anderson. I was impressed by Broad yesterday had McCullum on trouble a few times.

16th May 2008, 10:29	#13 (permalink)
3Sixty Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St Marys Dugout Posts: 918	Flintoff when fully fit can bowl in the 90s, i was at the England VS India ODI at the rosebowl last year, he was constantly around 92mph. I like the pick of Anderson ahead of Hoggy, him and Sidebottom are too alike and he is undroppable right now, just like Hoggy was a few years back.

17th May 2008, 11:21	#17 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,103	Sidebottom is becoming a serious bowler. The England attack is starting to look threatning again. If you add Flinthoff and possibly Jones to the equasion, then things could be very good again.

17th May 2008, 11:24	#18 (permalink)
3Sixty Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St Marys Dugout Posts: 918	I think Jones is done to be honest, i think we still need a hit the deck bowler, and all bias aside Tremlett is brilliant.

17th May 2008, 11:40	#20 (permalink)
Cupid Stunt Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: "In that, Anfield is unbeatable. Put a shit hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it's a work of art. It's not: it's a shit hanging from a stick." Posts: 1,524	I hope Jones is as rapid as he was, he's also great at the end of an innings with the reverse swing he offers. Only time will tell if he can regain that Ashes form.

18th May 2008, 09:12	#22 (permalink)
GiggsysGirl I boned a mod and all I got was this lousy tagline! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: If you're gonna flash...flash hard! Posts: 19,332	Harmison breaks Hoggard's thumb. Argument over.

19th May 2008, 13:31	#25 (permalink)
GiggsysGirl I boned a mod and all I got was this lousy tagline! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: If you're gonna flash...flash hard! Posts: 19,332	Oh dear...

19th May 2008, 13:39	#26 (permalink)
3Sixty Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St Marys Dugout Posts: 918	Im bowled over.

19th May 2008, 17:00	#27 (permalink)
Utd heap Last Man Standing (joint) Champion 2008 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London, mostly. Manchester, matchdays. Posts: 6,585	Bllody hell. Oh and in the Crciket, we hinted at bowling 'em out cheaply, but it will fade into a draw now...

19th May 2008, 17:58	#28 (permalink)
Brad The Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 17,536	Oh dear indeed I somehow conspired not to see a single ball bowled in this match. And it seems I missed little in my absence. Manc weather is all over the place at the moment, could be one of those series

19th May 2008, 18:30	#29 (permalink)
3Sixty Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St Marys Dugout Posts: 918	Tremlett called into squad, would like to see him play rather than miss our games due to carrying drinks.