Re: New Zealand tour reflections
> The Third Test could easily have swung England's way, especially if they
> hadn't had been forced to play under the spotlights on Day 4. Still, in
> NZ's position, I'm sure England would have done the same. The batsmen
> didn't seem to mind what our bowlers sent down to them. Honours even, I
> suppose. Looks like this tour could see the end of Ramprakash. Sorry
> "Ramps", but despite fleeting displays of the obvious talent you
> have, I don't think you have the consistency for Test level. Give Graeme
> Hick another chance, I say!*
> TMF
> * Joke.
We're number four in the world rankings now, England fifth. The play under the floodlights was for only an hour. That rule will have to be looked closely at by the ICC. However in a test match the red ball does favour the batting team. I still don't like the drop in wicket, and we didn't do enough to prepare our wickets to suit us, more swing and keeping the ball low. England have proved to have more depth with their bowling attack. Caddick was born here in NZ, I don't know why we didn't keep him. We've also lost Parore, our playboy keeper, so for the series in Pakistian we'll see his loss. Our greatest strength in this series was having Astle prove himself with the bat. He can be taken as a world class batsman. What was his knock, 220? But without Cairns in the bowling attack, we were left showing what little development there is in that area. I must admit I didn't take much notice of the England team. In the test arena England are still better than us, I'd admit that. But only for a short time! And the Barmy Army got on my wick!
LoF