Its Summer! - the Fever Cricket Thread. (Part 2)

This was the last thread in this place that people like you had stayed away from and was therefore worthwhile, please just go away. And those of us who want to discuss all things cricket in a constructive manner can continue to do so.

For all the people who dislike McCullum in test match cricket, he's going to end his career as the second highest test run scorer in NZ history (at least until Taylor and Williamson pass him), which is pretty phenomenal. His average over the past few years has proven that he's more than worthy of a place in the squad as a specialist batsman, regardless of how he approaches an innings.

With you there N-Bomb. He can be reckless at times, but he is a game breaker and a match winner, across all forms. We are a much poorer side with him absent. Thankfully he's played some 200-odd consecutive matches in all formats for us!

Plus as captain he's gelled us really well.

So far so good... if we can get through to lunch with both BM and BJ there... well... y'know... :-p

thats a pretty special partnership right there -epic in fact

Awesome fightback from Brendon Mc Cullum and BJ Watling.  Outstanding defensive innings from Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling, hopefully can build a lead of 200+  ....

Wat a stand by mccullum and watling. Outstanding!!

Next goal 400 run partnership... BMac and BJW = EPIC!!

Wow. McCullum is answering some critics right now.

Watling gone. Critical little period here against the new ball. A 250 lead would make for a great last day.

what an amazing comeback from the dead -thought it was all over with Watling going, but no, next partnership is 100 + also and we now have a 302 run lead.. brilliant

So, there's very little shot of winning this test, do we just keep going and going for some records? I know they won't, but screw it, it'd be fun! Not like our bowlers will get much joy on this track now against a quality batting lineup.

Why can't we win it?

yeah-i think weve still got a chance to win it still -bat for 30min-40 mins tomorrow to get Bmac to 300, declare and let our guys have a go with the new ball

I called for B Mac to be dropped before the Indian Test Series. Now eating humble pie !!!  Outstanding gutsy effort B Mac, BJW awesome defence

Nah i agree with you. Seeing Baz rack up record after record would be class. But i think India have to go for it regardless, losing 1-0 or 2-0 won't mean a great lot of difference to them (could be wrong just my opinion).

If we set them say 400 off 70 overs they are still likely to give it a go, and give us a better chance of taking wickets and winning the match. 

Right here JV. Smug grin and all. On ya bike mate.

I haven't been getting amongst the chat on here lately because I've barely five minutes to have a read let alone add to it. Working and living with people who talk about it all day too. But loving the BC's atm anyway, stoked for Baz and the boys. Not world beaters by any means but they're showing they have a lot more going for them now than they have had in a long while. And they've worked hard to get it going so it's incredibly satisfying for them and the fans. Tomorrow is going to be interesting

I reckon they should just keep batting if they can. Why not?

The longer we bat, the more secure a series win is. 

Amazing from McCullum.

I'm leaning more towards McCullum pushing on for all sorts of records. We would still win the series, and get the chance to see some once in a lifetime achievements be made.

I actually have no idea what i want. I'm not used to this from the Black Caps!

It would be a McCulllum like move to declare and try and run through them...if we were going to our best shot would be in the morning session..

complete uncharted territory.  

Was keen for us to bat them out of the match, now I'm not sure. 

Still think we should bat as long as we can in the first session. These are some boys who can score at a fast rate, with no real reason to hold back on what looks like a really good batting strip. He says with the one wicket we lost today!!

Lol at this

By lunch time today I didn't even care if we lost - I just think it is brilliant that we didn't roll over. At 90/5 in the past we would have just thrown it away, McCullum would have got a quality 40 off 60 balls then been caught in the slips flashing at a wide one, Southee would have hit 20 off 15 then holed out taking on deep mid wicket for the 3rd time and we would have been bowled out for 150.  Instead we knuckled down and made them work.

And then it gets even better and we keep going to the point where it is almost not possible for us to lose, and a slight chance of the win.  Really, really proud of McCullum here - Watling too. 

So chuffed with that. Has anyone heard his response?

I really don't think McCullum will bat on and on. Not his style.

My money is on India to be batting within the first hour.

That's a really good point.

What's the weather forecast? I imagine that if they wake up and it's cloudy then they might have a bowl. If the suns out they might just keep batting.

Low cloud, warm = swing.

Knock off that triple then get 'em in there Baz!

Was curious myself, so decided to have a look at the BCs under Taylor and McCullum and we really have improved recently (other than T20 lotteries). Whether that's due to captaincy, coaching or just players playing better (e.g. batters finally getting some consistency) I'm not sure, but it's interesting.

Ross Taylor

Brendon McCullum

Just a point on going after India and trying to win. If there doesn't look like a result will happen with an hour left the match ends there and then. So we have even less time to make something happen with the ball.

Anyway first priority is surely make sure India are well and truly out of the equation.

Here we go! Cricinfo on the desktop...

wow-just wow