2nd Test: England vs New Zealand at Headingley

163/0 at Tea. Excellent session of cricket for England.

what the hell happened to the Kiwi ::confused:: ::confused:: ::confused::

I expected them to give the pommies a real hard time..even defeat them

Historically, New Zealand have never fared well in England with just 4 Test match wins in 54 matches.

Something that was mentioned on the broadcast today that I found interesting was Test run rates over the last 12 months. Australia lead the way with the highest run rate at 3.74 runs per over. Tied for second? England and New Zealand at 3.43.

Test run rates last 12 months:

Australia - 3.74
England - 3.43
New Zealand - 3.43
Pakistan - 3.38
India - 3.20
West Indies - 3.15
Sri Lanka - 3.14
Bangladesh - 3.11
Zimbabwe - 2.95
South Africa - 2.89

True!  Clarifying!  the series is running true to historical form. 

and endland's new batting side in particular has a formidable sense to it, with Ali down in the tail.  at its peak this england batting side should do some some real damage around the world.

Cook out for 75 after a successful review. 177/1. Craig has bowled much better than at Lord's.

58.6
Craig to Cook, full on the stumps and Cook sweeps, hit on the front pad. Umpire Ravi shakes his head, McCullum calls for the review

and this looks like it will be close. It was tossed up on middle, straightened as Cook played across the line...

This is going to be out, struck bang in front and going on to hit the top of middle, Hawk-Eye is red, red, red.

The decision is overturned and NZ have their first wicket
 

100 for Lyth. According to Lord Gower, first century by a Yorkshireman at Headingley since Boycott back in 1977. Great knock. Got a little nervous in the 90's and almost gave his wicket away two balls prior.

66.3
Craig to Lyth, FOUR, flighted, on the stumps, slog-sweeps over midwicket, more convincing stroke this time and it bounces away

to the boundary -  that's his hundred, loudly saluted around Headingley.

He jumped and punched the air before soaking up the moment, a maiden Test ton on his home ground   

69.6  Henry to Ballance, FOUR, pitched up and stroked through the covers, lovely stroke from Ballance,
 
69.3  Henry to Ballance, FOUR, back of a length, Ballance manufactures a little bit of space to cut, steers it past the diving gully for four 

69.1  Henry to Ballance, FOUR,

the same batting Gower ::confused:: ::confused::