England v New Zealand final day

I'm fairly busy this morning so will post a more considered comment on the Test match later but it is interesting that after two full days were effectively lost to bad weather and the first innings ended in all but parity, England are still hopeful of forcing victory on the last day. That says something about the brittle state of New Zealand's batting. As I type, eight overs of the day have gone and England have taken two of the ten wickets that they will need to take by, I'd guess, mid-afternoon if they are to leave enough time for their batsmen to win the match.

Just one thought, if England are within a sniff of victory at stumps today will they regret the sissyness of their batsmen taking the light so readily on Friday? It happened last year against India as well, when England were punished for going off for bad light by India's last-wicket pair holding out just long enough for the draw. Another half an hour's play earlier in the match and England could have won that, as they may find today. Much will be written on the light issue after this match, but you do have to wonder whether England shoot themselves in the foot by reducing the amount of time they have to bat in conditions that are not all that bad. Put it like this, if it is a bit gloomy later this afternoon and England need 50 to win in 45 minutes, I don't think they will be rushing for the dressing-room.

Comments

[Patrick Kidd]

I could be wrong, Homer (and heck it wouldn't be the first time), but I think the standards for light measurements are reset at the start of each innings, so England would not have been affected by their first-innings actions. Likewise it would mean that if New Zealand had a chance to win on the last day, they would also be given the option of batting on in worse light than England took.

[Homer]

"England need 50 to win in 45 minutes, I don't think they will be rushing for the dressing-room."

It does not matter what the English team wants. If the light meter is equal to or less than the value that light was offered, the players will have to cool their heels in the dressing room. Play can only take place with the consent of the two captains..

Talking of the light, is the English team not privy to the video tapes of the Headingley Test of 2001/02? They may want to revisit the circumstances and the approach of the team that was offered the light on Day 2.

Cheers