Pie Chucker

Finally the Real Cricket starts and after losing the toss England will be happy with their day’s work.  New Zealand opted to bat on a slow, flat pitch and would have been looking to make 450+ (which they might yet) but thanks to England’s catching - repeat, thanks to England’s catching- the Tourists came off the field in jubilant mood with the Kiwis six wickets down and yet to reach 300..  Some of that joy will be for Phil Mustard’s first England catch (putting him almost level with Geraint Jones and Matt Prior already,) some for the late wicket of dangerous slogger Brendon McCullum (which provided Mustard with his first England catch (putting him almost level with etc.)) but mostly because Alastair ‘deep throat pockets’ Cook had to buy a jug of lager after taking three catches, one of them a blinder.

Ian Bell took a fierce blow to the wrist fielding at short leg and spent most of the day in the dressing room with his arm in a sling, but thankfully there was no fracture and he should be able to bat during this match.  Harmison took England’s only wicket in the first session, and at 174 for 3 at tea, New Zealand had built a strong platform.  The second wicket to fall, Fleming, produced the day’s finest moment, a fine diving catch by Cook. 

The final session brought wickets and quick runs for the spectators that had remained awake.  England reduced New Zealand to 191 for 5 before McCullum and Taylor belted their way to a 86 run partnership that looked to be taking the game away from England.  A McCullum swipe at a wide Sidebottom delivery saw him snapped up in the slips and the hosts finished on 282-6.

 Never let it be said that Pie Chucker is slow in reporting news, but at the time of writing New Zealand are smacking Hoggard and Sidebottom all over the park at the start of day 2 and have reached 318-6 from a mere 7 or so overs.  Perhaps Cook should be stationed at Cow Corner today?