England Drop, and Then Throw The Series Away At The Oval

New Zealand (246-9) beat England (245 all out) by 1 wicket.

The final match in this topsy-turvy Natwest One Day series is this Saturday at Lords. The problem is that after today, England cannot win the series as they now trail 2-1 and only have themselves to blame. They were not outplayed in this game but unusually slack and error-prone fielding punctuated their defence of 245 runs and eventually cost them at a packed Brit Oval ground. Read more

New Zealand win in Bristol to level the series

New Zealand (182 all out) beat England (160 all out) by 22 runs.

England’s batsmen failed to chase a seemingly regulation total on a bouncy Bristol wicket as the Natwest series was levelled at 1-1 this afternoon. Paul Collingwood was clearly disappointed that his side, with a good batting line up, couldn’t knock off the 182 the tourists set, with none of his players managing a half century. It was Collingwood’s 34 that ended up as England’s top score, and when he was the 8th man out with the team still needing 30 more, the Read more

Rain Denies New Zealand’s First Tour Victory Opportunity

England (162 all out from 24 overs) vs New Zealand (127-2 from 19 overs) NO RESULT- GAME ABANDONED.

If things aren’t going your way, the phrase ‘when it rains, it pours’ is often used. The irony of this won’t be lost on Daniel Vettori after today’s second One Day International was finally abandoned due to the weather, as rain interrupted play throughout the day Read more

Pietersen’s Ingenuity Too Much for New Zealand in Durham

England (307-5) beat New Zealand (193 all out) by 114 runs

This report could have been written the second Ian Bell pouched a mis-hit back foot shot from Brendon McCullum in the 9th over of New Zealand’s reply. Set a daunting 308 to win, this was always going to be a tough ask for a side who are desperatly low on confidence and lacking form. The mercurial McCullum was their only real hope and his dismissal for a quickfire 36 Read more

England Win in Nottingham to Beat New Zealand 2-0

England (364 all out) beat New Zealand (123 and 232) by an innings and 9 runs.

England were expected to claim victory in this home series against the black caps and did so, in comfortable fashion. The tide of the series turned when New Zealand threw away a position of incredible strength at Old Trafford in the 2nd test to lose incredulously and they never recovered. England struck all the powerful, key blows after Read more

England Pull Off a Dramatic Record Breaking Win

Old Trafford: England (202 & 294-4) bt New Zealand (381 & 114) by six wickets

In what seems like the only pocket of the country not touched by the bank holiday rain, England sealed an unlikely win against New Zealand to lead the 3 match series 1-0 with a game to play. This was the 5th highest 4th innings total ever chased by England to win a test match, and the the highest ever at Old Trafford. How sad that this will be the last test match at the ground for some time after such a topsy-turvy, absorbing and unpredicatable game. Had this been an Ashes game it would surely be considered one of the best matches of all time. Read more

England v New Zealand: The 2nd Test, Day 1. Can somebody bring some floodlights?

At the end of day 1 of the 2nd test at Old Trafford, there was the inevitable chorus of boos that greeted the announcement that no further play would be possible. After just 54 overs on a mucky and grey Friday in Manchester, Simon Taufel and the recently reinstalled Darrell Hair called it a day. You would struggle to argue for the merits of cricket to say, an American friend who doesn’t know much about the sport- Read more

England v New Zealand: First Test Ends as a Draw

The first test between England and New Zealand has ended as a draw at Lords.

New Zealand started the day 2 runs behind England, at 40-0 in their second innings. With England desperate to force a result from the regularly interrupted match.

England started well, removing Redmond and Marshall in quick succession. Redmond was caught at first slip by Strauss off Anderson, Read more

England’s Middle Order Collapse - Surely Not?!

England have been bowled out for 319 in their first innings in the 1st test against New Zealand - a lead of just 42.

With a match full interruptions due to rain and bad light - and surely heading for a draw - England failed to open up a good first innings lead, despite being 120-0 at one stage.

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