If England are trounced in New Zealand Test series the ECB will reach under increasing scrutiny for agreeing to this scheduleIt is taking a while for England’s batsmen to have a chance to score back in the saddle after being bowled out for a paltry 58 in their first innings. On Friday and Saturday there were just 26 overs of cricket at Eden Park and those batsmen dutifully shuffled around the field,no doubt noting that the ball was not jagging around quite so deviously as on Thursday afternoon and wondering whether they might achieve a bit better when their next chance comes along. All this rain could be construed as fine news for England supporters. Perhaps it was possible to spy a path out of this mess after all. It would be long and difficult and would probably require the batsmen to occupy the crease about six or seven times longer than they managed on Thursday. But survival was now a opportunity. The batting coach, Graham Thorpe, and acknowledged on Saturday evening “the weather gives us a glimmer. Continue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk