The Silver Fern

I don’t follow NZ cricket enough to know where any of them actually come from

You’re right though.
It’s cricket, not rugby. Who gives a fuck where they come from for the BC’s.

I haven’t watched a test live in ages but I’m so glad I saw the first two days of this test. Great intimate ground, prices and quality for food and bev were pretty damn good. So freaking hot on the bank though with no shade. But it’s summer so expected.
The first day had everything I reckon. Great start from openers, slow middle overs and a real test of skill but some questionable shot making. Stokes bowled very well all day and probably looked the most dangerous to me. I love to hate that guy.
Finished with some great slogging as the 8 brews kicked in!
But the first hour of the second day was probably my most enjoyable as a cricketing tragic. A non believer would have hated it and myself and mates said as much.
Problem with 20/20 is it’s all one speed. Tests go up and down. Emotions change as much as the conditions can. It’s fucking great and I personally could watch forever.
We just frustrated the shit out of England in that hour. Santner was slapping everything, Not taking singles until ball four consistently with Big field changes happening. Great times!
Gotta say O’Rourke is the man. Proper pace bowling. Calm demeanour with no fear with the bat or ball. Also has an uncanny resemblance to a young Travolta, like a short haired Vinnie Barbarino. Hopefully he can have as long of a career.
Good win for us. Pity about the first test!

Good day on the terraces. BRB lager the go to. Missed opportunity for us. Kane and Ravindra’s dismissals were the most painful as they left a lot of runs out there. Blunder and Phillips doing what they do. The pitch looks pretty benign

I’m off to Hamilton tomorrow and Sunday. I feared a dead rubber but fuck it, the AirBNB is booked.
It feels very 1990’s Black Caps this team.. A bit average, plus Kane. Lots of averages close to 30 and no confidence.
If we get the win we will be Papering over the cracks and be plucky losers, if we lose then there might be some plaster involved but hey, it will be explained away as a changing of guard. I love the BCs but 3-0 vs 2-1 might help us in the long run.
Either way we have looked weak of skill and sadly weaker of mind in this series. WTF happened in India?
I hope there is some fight left in these guys so I don’t have to drown my sorrows in BRB!

@Chris you’ve coached a lot by the looks. Don’t you hit a ball at players at the start of every practice? Getting everyone involved?

@Chris I was just being facetious. I hope they are doing catching practice once a day? If not, WTF

@Chris said in Black Caps vs England Series:

Fuck I would have all those BC players catching 100 balls with out a drop all week you drop one,and you start again until you reach a set target without a drop.
It’s not the first time we have fielded like this. I’m sure they practice catching at least once a day?

@Donsteppa I think in cricket like Rugby there has to be a proportion of selections that are on form.
Form temporary/class permanent doesn’t always cut it.

@MN5 Stead is so conservative though, so who knows?

Conway must move over for Young in the next test right?
Just open with Williamson, he’s in so early anyway, I don’t think it will make much difference.

Another put down! F this, poor bowlers getting let down

Massive opportunity missed here so far.
Hopefully Phillips can kick on

Need replacements. 5 min too late

Loving our lineout on both attack and defence. Maul defence awesome too

Watching second half again.
Reserve props smashed English scrum which gave us heaps of momentum. Forward play in general seemed stronger.
Roigard made a big difference. Very quick decision making and he actually moves with the ball off the back of the ruck while making decisions making play more dynamic while Ratima is a touch slower and holds at base of ruck a lot more letting defence set themselves.
Even though BB didn’t have a great game and his kicking is painful, I think Ratima put him under pressure a few times with this slower play.
DM to start for me and BB in last 30 like 2nd Eng test.

@BerniesCorner It was noticeable how much George was communicating clearly with Gardner, developing good rapport. S Barrett very few times, just seems absent, probably needing to concentrate on his own game as he has been a little flat recently.

Did anyone notice the lineout prior to Reece’s try?
Right in front of ref Aus jumper used outside arm to tap the ball while using inside arm to impede Vaa’i and get lift off him.
What’s up with that? I always thought was illegal. Has there been a law change?

@bayimports said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:

Why wait for 20 to go, shit bench use, should have been on earlier

I’m starting to think they are just testing players stamina, mental and physical. (Doesn’t quite explain TJ and Cane though)

Far out. Ratima and McKenzie in their rightful place

EDG might have a hard time starting for a while