12/22/24
June 07, 2004
England win Test and series: England's pace attack skittled New Zealand for 161 runs on a difficult Headlingley surface before cruising to a nine-wicket triumph in the second Test to seal the series. Matthew Hoggard, with four wickets, and Steve Harmison, with three, ended the tourists' resistance after an entertaining opening to Monday's final day before England knocked off their target of 45 on an increasingly erratic pitch.
posted by babuchutkan to other at 09:14 AM - 9 comments
Good article from the Guardian on where England stand at the moment.
posted by Pete at 10:47 AM on June 07, 2004
I don't know what's up with the England cricket team at the moment. Don't they realise they're supposed to be crap?
posted by squealy at 11:12 AM on June 07, 2004
Pete, what you say may be true, but before the series began I remember reading article after article on how New Zealand are a strong team and would be a real test for us. What the hell is Chris Coleman doing captaining the buggers?
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:48 PM on June 07, 2004
*holds head in hands* Sadly, we appear to have broken all our bowlers. And heaven only knows why McMillan continues to hold a place. I might as well bat for all the success he's enjoyed in the last few years.
posted by rodgerd at 08:05 PM on June 07, 2004
rodgerd, if you bat I will find a way to watch the match. Come on, get me to turn on the telly for that!
posted by billsaysthis at 09:20 PM on June 07, 2004
Fat Buddha (that seems so formal, can I call you Fat?), I totally agree, everyone was talking up New Zealand, saying what a good captain Stephen Fleming was and how they were better prepared for the series than England who would be knackered after the series in the Windies. It hasn't really panned out that way though has it? Maybe that just shows that the experts are probably as good at predicting things as you or me.
posted by Pete at 04:06 AM on June 08, 2004
Apparently New Zealand cricket thought it would be a good idea to send officials instead of players. Nice little holiday, shame about the games.
posted by rodgerd at 04:08 PM on June 08, 2004
Rodgerd, can you say "HA HA" with a Kiwi accent for us?
posted by billsaysthis at 09:52 PM on June 08, 2004
It's good to win but, as with the West Indies, I don't think we were playing them at the top of their game. They have been plagued with injuries (of a level not seen since the last time England toured Australia) and don't appear to have factored in the need for replacements. I know there aren't many people in NZ but this is ridiculous. England are playing well, better than for a number of years, but I don't think we will be able to judge how well until we play some really good opposition, perhaps India, definitely Australia. Let's hope we don't peak too early before next year's Ashes.