Bumble at the Test: Alastair Cook was never going to skittle Black Caps as 'two-metre' Peter Fulton flattens England hopes
It’s another ‘After You Claude’ moment!
The first day was wonderful for batting. The pitch was perfect and bone dry. The curator told us it’s not going to spin. The outfield was so lush there was no reverse swing and no movement was expected.
So Alastair Cook said ‘would you like to have a bat?’ In the words of the great FS Trueman, ‘what is going off out there?’
Fruitless: England strike bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson toiled unsuccessfully on the first day
This pitch is flatter than a London pint! If it were any flatter they’d be serving it up in an envelope. It is incredible to me that both captains were desperate to bowl first.
It was not a case of hoping to bowl New Zealand out for 150. It was the belief that the pitch can only get better. And if that’s true this is a nailed on draw! 600 plays 600 anyone?
I’ll tell you how flat this pitch is. It’s flatter than a well ironed left-handed shirt. It’s so flat that ‘two-metre’ Peter Fulton could score his maiden Test century at 34.
Magic moment: Peter Fulton scored his maiden Test match century, with Kane Williamson looking to follow suit Impregnable: Fulton takes the applause after his knock of 124 not outHis highest score before this was 75 and that was made in 2006! He’s dipped his bread big time and at the time of going to press there had just been a single lbw shout! All the umpires had to do was count to six and walk to square leg.
I’m fully oystered up. Particularly long lunch the day before the Test and I went the sea route. Another half dozen oysters, something called sashimi which turned out to be raw fish, and might I say loads of it, followed by steamed mussels and a few tiger prawns. I thought I’d grow gills!
Tasty: Eden Park in Auckland is located on the coast, with the seafood getting the thumbs upOysters are a bit like Russian roulette. Get a bad one and you’re gone. But I’m 500 not out for this tour!
There is a theory that Kevin Pietersen’s demise is not fair on Jonny Bairstow. I’ve heard it said that as Bairstow hasn’t played first-class cricket for ages it’s very harsh to expect him to come in for a Test.
Opportunity: Jonny Bairstow has been given the chance to compete for England's No 6 positionI completely disagree. What would Jonny rather do? Carry drinks all game or bat at six in a Test? It’s a golden opportunity for him and modern cricket is all about grabbing your chance. If he gets in!
More... England face fight to win series in New Zealand as hosts punish Cook's decision to put them in to bat Keep calm and carry on! England must stay cool, says Finn after NZ prosper on day one At last, something for the Aussies to smile about... (just don't mention the cricket)
