Pie Chucker

The first day of this Test Match Series was delayed by the inevitable rain, but even the cricket proved to be predictable.  Vaughan won the toss and put the Kiwis in only for their top order to fail and their middle order recover.  New Zealand were 104-5 at one point, before a 6th wicket stand of 99 between McCullum and Oram brought the Tourists back into the game.  They ended the day 208-6, a good fightback but surely a score that favours England?

Broad picked up two wickets, whilst Anderson was the star of the day grabbing three for himself and possibly delaying Hoggard’s return to Test Cricket in the process.  Player of the Year Ryan Sidebottom was not at the races by his usual standards and it was Monty Panesar who picked up the 6th wicket, the dangerous McCullum just before close.  McCullum made 97 - the second time he has been out in the 90s at Lords.  Snigger.  His dismissal returned the momentum to England, but they must be aware of the threat of the Black Cap’s middle order; another 90+ partnership now and England will be under a little pressure when their turn to bat comes.

After play, McCullum was happy to gloss over his personal disappointment in falling just short of three figures and satisfy himself with a job well done for his team mates: “In terms of where we were I thought it was a pretty good fight from us” whilst James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson praised the near-centurion: “He played magnificently. When he gets into that sort of mode it’s hard to tie him down.”