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Loading ...New Zealand out-collapse England
By Will 5 months ago Leave a comment on this post
It takes something for a team to match, or better, one of England’s infamous collapses, but New Zealand managed just that today. England’s brave attempt at capitulation was admirable: 5 for 28. New Zealand, however, out-collapsed them with a very flacid 7 for 29. Superb collapsing all round.
What a day. Who cares for Twenty20 when Test cricket can provide sixteen wickets in a single day, the momentum and energy flipping to and fro every hour? It was breathless cricket, with some wonderful bowling from the two spinners - Daniel Vettori and Monty Panesar - and some questionable batting mixed in among it.
How cruel momentum can be. New Zealand were utterly odds-on favourites after England’s 1990-esque capitulation in the morning. They batted like muppets in a swamp to Vettori - who bowled masterfully, it should be noted - and New Zealand stole a huge first-innings lead of 179. Cockahoop they were. But for them to be bowled out for 114 (Panesar six-fer) shows firstly what a beasting pitch this is, but moreover how fragile confidence is. You think you’re riding high, on the crest of a wave which will crash down and swallow your opponents…before you all fall off the surf board and drown in your own wave. Awful analogy I know, but you get my meaning.
And look what happened - New Zealand bowled like a drain in the final session. Too short, too wide - Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss looked relatively at ease. Cook fell, but England really could upset the odds and do the unthinkable. They don’t deserve to win at all, but then nor do New Zealand for their awful collapse. Fascinating fourth day in prospect.
Tags: daniel-vettori, england, monty-panesar, new zealand in england, new-zealand, test-cricket |
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