Cricket

So no one cares about the New Zealand test at lords?

Waiting for the Ashes?
Watching the Giro?
Not sunny enough yet for cricket?

England: 232 (112.2 overs)
N Zealand: 7-1 (3.2 overs)

ive been ill for the last two days so been watching it all day instead of boring Giro sprint stages. Looks like a very tough wicket to bat on, v slow outfield and all England batsmen getting out after solid starts. gonna be a low scoring, interesting test.

Also I back Swann to take alot of wickets here

Can't wait to get out of work and watch a bit of this - so interestingly balanced right now, we'll soon find out how far off the mark our score is (if at all) and see how Jimmy et al exploit the conditions. Want to see it hooping round corners and the NZers tying themselves in knots having no idea what's going to come down... Swanny going to play a massive role.

yes good conditions for Swan. Anderson looking good too.
england batting still looks a bit ropey though I suspect england score will be enough in these conditions.

That's a big wicket, we're properly into them now... if our bowlers can get into a groove we should have them 6 down by the end of play today...

300 wickets for jimmy
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Csmtwbozyw"]Barmy
Army- Jimmy Anderson - YouTube[/ame]

That's a big wicket, we're properly into them now... if our bowlers can get into a groove we should have them 6 down by the end of play today...

I'm not sure about this. They seem to be getting the runs in at a rate of knots now, at least compared to us...

I'm not sure about this. They seem to be getting the runs in at a rate of knots now, at least compared to us...

Massive start to this session now, but gloomy and cloudy so Jimmy's in the game, if we can get Taylor and later McCullum without them scoring too heavily then they don't have an enormous amount else...

I hadn't noticed the weather, that's interesting. Here's hoping.

300 wickets for jimmy
Barmy Army- Jimmy Anderson - YouTube

Glorious. Remembering how unreliable and frustrating he was at the start of his career it's been amazing to watch him blossom into the player he is now....

Good stream here
(to watch now the Giro has finished today)
http://cricfree.tv/sky-sports-1-live-stream-online.php

New Zealand punch well above their weight. England are not currently at their best.
Will be interesting to see where Australia figure in all this.

It may be cloudy guys but it's effin cold, not going to swing unless you got that swing.
Impossible to call Swann's effectiveness until he bowls. Not usually a day 1/2 wicket taker really.

the ashes will be tight, Oz have some good young bowlers coming through and Siddle is a top fast bowler. But Englad have a great attack too but he batting has not been the best in the recent times.

^^indeed but Bumble reckons Swannys gonna be our top wicket taker in this game too so who knows. Lords very rarely takes spin but apparently everythings been relaid because of the Olympic archery.

Ross Taylor is taking us apart here, playing great, attacking cricket. Hes done this to us before...

I'd still back England's batting over Australia's. siddle is good but can't bowl from both ends, he needs back up.

Actually it's got to be swanny time to see if we can shut Taylor up

its not going to turn this early at lords, but if Swan can tie one end up with line and length, may be.

Their spinner Martin got good turn yesterday and swann's twice the bowler... Already got a couple to grip.

missed yesterday - always thought Lords wicket didnt turn till the 3rd 4th day but as you say a couple have bit already, i stand corrected, come on swanny!!!

And Swan doesn't need to wait for the wicket to turn to get wickets

Historically I think you're right but as someone says above the pitch has been relaid recently and seems to grip earlier now... Taylor looking really dangerous, broad could do with a rest but swann definitely unsettling him... Massive session now, we need a couple to stay properly in touch. That was close!!!

be great to get two wickets before close, that was close!!! just outside the line. swan looks to have lost a bit weight - hope his arm holds out after the op.

Massive!! Beautiful from jimmy.

there's 1!!!!! get in