19-05-2008, 09:47 PM
Can't help commenting on the England -v- NZ test. There seems to have been a load of baloney gushed in the media about how well NZ played to salvage a draw from England's "strong" position on the last day. Total tosh!
Don't underestimate NZ - they are a very good side as England discovered. NZ have an uncanny ability to produce really annoyingly good match-saving players who frustrate the heck out of the opposition. Jacob Oram proved again that he's one of those players. Actually he reminds me of that other gutsy Kiwi Mark Greatbach, who similarly would pull out a great innings when you least wanted him to.
Despite that, it isn't true that "Oram forced a draw" - the draw was caused by the rain and bad light. Isn't it time the cricketing lords saw sense and started play an hour earlier at 10a.m.?
Nice to see Vaughan get his ton, but he can't afford to relax now, just because he's cemented his place in the side. He seems to be one of those batsman that needs a bit of pressure on him to force his concentration. Steve Waugh was like that - always played his best innings with back against the wall.
It was a pity rain and bad light interrupted this match so much - I think another day would have been a ripper. The second test should hopefully be a bewdy, with two evenly matched sides both having a point to prove.
And with the Australia -v- Windies test on at the same time, plus all the IPL action, we're once again in cricket heaven. Life is good.
Don't underestimate NZ - they are a very good side as England discovered. NZ have an uncanny ability to produce really annoyingly good match-saving players who frustrate the heck out of the opposition. Jacob Oram proved again that he's one of those players. Actually he reminds me of that other gutsy Kiwi Mark Greatbach, who similarly would pull out a great innings when you least wanted him to.
Despite that, it isn't true that "Oram forced a draw" - the draw was caused by the rain and bad light. Isn't it time the cricketing lords saw sense and started play an hour earlier at 10a.m.?
Nice to see Vaughan get his ton, but he can't afford to relax now, just because he's cemented his place in the side. He seems to be one of those batsman that needs a bit of pressure on him to force his concentration. Steve Waugh was like that - always played his best innings with back against the wall.
It was a pity rain and bad light interrupted this match so much - I think another day would have been a ripper. The second test should hopefully be a bewdy, with two evenly matched sides both having a point to prove.
And with the Australia -v- Windies test on at the same time, plus all the IPL action, we're once again in cricket heaven. Life is good.