No Pietersen for the final Test. Knee knack.
And worse, for him, he's out of the IPL

Eden Park then. Incredibly short straight boundaries, and with Trott on the verge of setting a record for test runs scored without hitting a six. But then if anyone can resist the temptation, I'm sure it's him.

Hmm. Was bowling the right option? With hindsight, definitely, but at the time?
Stupid place to hold a Test match.

It was the aggressive option, if you want to take 20 wickets and win the game then have first bowl.

Something really does need to be done about the way Test pitches are prepared though. Too many turning into unequal contests because the host boards want the ticket revenue from games lasting all five days.

Generally, yes. With this particular venue, it's more that even a rudimentary defensive push can clear the ropes if it's anywhere near the meat of the bat.

Could England steal this? If they can bowl NZ out with a lead of around 400 then could they see that out? The likes of Cook, Compton, Trott and Bell are all capable of big scores.

I'll be very, very surprised if England manage to pull this one off now. It looks a long, long way away.

Well whaddya know.

Went to sleep after Root went. Woke up and checked the score at tea and opted to go back to sleep fearing the worst. Which I'd stayed up for the Monty show now.

That dive from the Montster.... Deary me.
Tell you what, it's hard to watch even knowing the outcome. Good battling stuff, but we've been outplayed through pretty much the whole tour.