chocolate cake

Yeah, agree Sangakkara especially will be missed, a class player retiring still at the top of his game.

Damn day 1 at Brisbane hasn't gone well for NZ, I was hoping it would provide some relief from England's performances in Pakistan where they'll just comfortably lost the last test and so series 2-0. 2 nil is probably harsh, they were unlucky in the first, where just another 3 overs would have seen an England win instead of draw. The second was lost after disastrous first innings collapse, though a draw nearly salvaged. The third comfortably lost after poor bowling in the 3rd innings, and then the typical England collapse in the morning session.
So it will be onto South Africa next, with outside of Cook and Root the batting looking dreadfully weak, and no one else demanding a slot on form. Again looks madness to have dispensed with Pietersen again so unnecessarily at the start of UK summer.

As for NZ, it's obviously a batting pitch at Brisbane, and big toss to win for the Aussies, still 390 and only 2 down after the first day it looks ominous. Williamson, Taylor and McCullum & co are certainly going to need to step up when it comes to batting to keep the Aussies at bay.

Charismatic

Don't think the first test will tell you much given the warm up game fiasco.

Tom H

What a fantastic day in Johannesburg

World number one test team getting a thrashing. Unbelievable bowling by Stuart Broad.

2-0 series win on their own backyard. That's the Aussies and the Saffas done. One step to get back to being the number one test team.

Be interesting to see how the new look one day team goes against them. Whether we try and beat our record score when we smashed the kiwis all over the place.

chocolate cake

Yeah, cracking result. When Root was out first thing overnight on the morning of Day 3, and with us only just sneaking past the South African's total, the last thing I expected was to be waking up to a comfortable win and the series sealed.
Indeed super performance from Broad, following up Root's runs, though the latter's at the top of his game, it's amazing the number of times he's been out early the next morning having been unbeaten overnight.

Yep, such a contrast to the WI tour last April and the World Cup that preceded it. Good to win away again at last. While Pakistan series was lost 2-0 it wasn't a total disaster.

Definitely on the up again, still a few places to sort, most definitely an Opener needed, but good to see Bairstow doing ok behind the stumps and contributing with the bat.

Charismatic

Good bye Brendon, opening ODIs won't be the same without you .

chocolate cake

Well with the 2nd test comfortably lost at Christchurch today along with the first, can't help thinking that's a big chance missed by NZ against the Aussies, with the earlier series lost 2-0 also. It's not a top notch Aussie side, but NZ have been well beaten and end the summer on the downer, despite earlier ODI wins.
No doubt a super first innings ton by McCullum, but tests are over 5 days and Burns sedate effort was worth more on the scoreboard, and did he need try the same at the end of day 3 instead of seeing play out.
Worse still the Aussies return to no.1 in the world.

Charismatic

When he got going though he just made it look like the whole world where made of bat .

LittleGreyCat

Not looked, but is Test Cricketer on the key skills needed list?

LauraNotts

*snort*

Someone kidnap Ben Stokes!!

Tom H

So Bangladesh and Afghanistan qualify for the world T20.

England warming up nicely with a good win over the Kiwis. Good to see Rashid get some wickets after his time South Africa and also Alex Hales scoring. I can't see England making it through as I fancy West Indies and South Africa to make the semis but it'll be close.

Axcell family

Great win by NZ today...didn't look like they had got enough at the end of 20 overs...superb all round - would have loved some money on that result!

Charismatic

To be honest I don't watch a lot of T20.

LauraNotts

I loved watching this, one of the only pluses about night shift. Now I have to reaffirm my 'terrible Pom' copybook and consider watching England tonight

Charismatic

Well that was a very traditional English start to a tournament.

chocolate cake

Yeah, difficult to get up for the 20/20, though hopefully at least provide a interlude between the wall to wall rugby sports news.
Certainly more luck involved in this shorter stuff, though England can't blame that for the opening defeat. Yep, a traditional start, but England did lose 2 of their opening games in their only international tournament win in the last but one version of the 20/20. If they lose 2 this time, I think it would be difficult to progress this time.