Wow hussey was caught behind? That Rudi Keurtzen really is hopeless. I thought my stomach was huge until I saw his.

Australia would have to be the worst team for accepting the umpires decision. Andrew Symonds appealing like crazy for a caught behind when it hit Taylors body and Hussey sulking after an LBW decision. They always go on about the spirit of the game and how they play hard but fair.. etc etc. Now the sooks are 4/53, well done so far New Zealand.

is it Flintoff or Ivan Drago from Rocky 4?

have to applaud South Africa on the coaching coup that is Duncan Fletcher. Is he the master coach or the master book seller? There is little doubt his backroom tactics alone won the ashes for England in 05, and of course he will turn cricket around in Africa. More to the point it will rain heavily in Murray Darling basin in southern Australia for the next 10 years which will solve the drought in the area.

TRUSH1003 that is a damn fine suggestion after all England do need to try something, anything to change their fortunes. I agree that Flintoff might work up the order when there is less pressure on to score runs, sure the new ball is a different test but why not give it a go? I'll take it a step further and suggest the lawmakers reduce the matches to 10 overs a side. Make it four players a side.. say Flintoff, KP, Broad and Bell for England, offer massive amounts of money to the victors and call it the best competition in the world.

That's right. A good county record means diddly if they don't perform in an international. My job has a high turnover rate 'to keep everyone on their toes' so why can't this underperforming (for over 20 years) cricket side adopt a similar policy? Nothing has changed it seems. The same blokes are getting selected and the same blokes keep losing. What is wrong with throwing a kid in at the deep end once in a while??? I give up !

ragurman, ur observations are truly outstanding, The fact you can predict Australia losing the series 2-0 defies logic,, you have a talent.

Loving life. Well done India. Grind those Australians into the turf! And when you have your foot on their throat don't take it off ! This is something 20twenty cannot provide. Take note anyone who wants to damage the game of cricket by turning it into baseball.

surely the ICC should have a say in all this. Ticket prices aside if Sri Lanka want to take that stance they should be banished from international cricket altogether.

Judging by the way KP batted in the 2nd test (13 off 5 balls i think), we know nothing will change his game. For that reason I don't think the captaincy will affect his game. He obviously believes in himself enough not to worry about what the detractors say if he fails and that makes an excellent captain as far as I"m concerned. Cmon Athers, 1st you predict a South African victory and now this. Sounds like your spirit got blown away in a northern winter!

MasterG, it is a pitch report and I'm assuming Dave used England in all the stats because they play there every year. If I was you I'd studiously avoid the upcoming series test series as RSA will probably get belted.

here here!! Bob Willis for chairman of the ECB! Cmon man leave Atherton and Botham in the Sky Commentary Box and save test cricket. You're our only hope !

Yes it would be disasterous to chop and change players all the time, no doubt about that. The fact is though that England are just hanging in by the skin of their teeth with one recognised batsman getting a big score and bailing them out against NZ home and away. Once again we have this current team patting themselves on the back believing they can compete with Australia. I"m sorry to ruin the tea party but a more consistent contribution by all players on the ground might prevent a complete whitewash similar to what happened during the last ashes series, injuries or not.

Get fredalo off the drink and he might be able to see the ball when he faces up to a bowler. The man is a brilliant player but he obviously needs to spend the New Zealand series at a Betty Ford Clinic. His body needs to recover and this way his brain might regain some clarity after years of celebrating the 85 Ashes win. Easier said than done though, I'm goin for my 3rd beer now and it's Monday afternoon, good luck Andrew!

Side strains, sore shoulders and one of the Lions getting stretchered off after celebrating a century? England may as well select cardboard cut outs for the test series. Seriously though as an UK supporter living in Australia, I can't believe the amount of injuries these cricketers get compared to the Aussies. More importantly the selectors should have to guts to blood youngsters instead of including players who aren't 100% fit. While I'm here, how about you blokes start picking players on form rather than reputation? Vaughan and Panesar will still be around but what's the harm in trying a few guys in their 20's against a pretty average New Zealand?

EzeeT you need to get off the grass, or that concrete pitch your idolising. Speed cricket will only deter new fans mostly because of it's one sided results. 50 over cricket is bad enough but lets get real. If time is an issue for one to get involved with a sport then they won't have the time to appreciate cricket for what it is. Athleticism and fitness are important for this great game but the real gem comes with what goes on upstairs. Tactics, temperament and sportsmanship are the real pearls of a sport which is unique for just that. All this can't possibly be advertised in the space of a few hours. The Indian Premier League is a joke and anyone who endorses it might as well go hire a movie which has been crammed into 90 minutes and get off on that.