Pie Chucker

One step forwards…

In Hamilton England were poor but at least the fielding was excellent.  The good times were clearly in the post.  Only the ‘other two’ disciplines to be learned; and how hard can batting or bowling be?   Not too tricky it seemed as the Tourists pitched up in Wellington and plundered 342 before skittling the Black Caps for just 198.  Bingo!  Moores’ Bright Young Things (Matthew who?  Steve who?  My older brother might have told me about them) were rampant.  Going into the 4th day at 277-9, ‘Jamo’ Anderson came out to bat (without a runner after his injury scare) and helped Monty add a further precious 16 runs to set New Zealand 438 to win.  Then came the fielding nightmares.

Vaughan’s boys could have won yesterday if only they could catch.  Whilst the dropped chances, missed stumpings and wild overthrows will not stop England winning this game, it does hark back to the dark days of the 80s and 90s.  The day will have served as a lesson/reminder to Tim Ambrose that he’s only (fairly or otherwise) one more poor day from being the new Geraint Jones/Matt Prior.  If the England selectors want to turn to Jack Russell for advice then Pie Chucker can exclusively reveal that he spends his days saving half time penalties taken by Forest Green Rovers’ fans.  Or at least he did the season before last. 

New Zealand clearly did not want to turn up for the final day and smacked the ball in the air straight at England fielders with gay abandon, but still contrived to lose only six wickets.  With McCullum 43no overnight there could be some semi-nervous times for England before the routine victory is complete.  It’s going to be nicely set up for an interesting 3rd Test.