More so an example of the arrogance of Baz and Ben…..take all the focus and plaudits away from Mitchell and his unbeaten ton….all about Ben…..karma that it’s blowing up in Eng face……
Im sure Mitchell won’t care as long as they get those last 6 wickets. He showed so much courage to survive on that pitch
If they get Root out in the first hour I reckon it will be done by lunch
The Kiwis have made all the running in this Test and deserve to win the series.
However, Joe Root has had a quiet series by his lofty standards, so he could yet get the To and Froms over the line.
I agree with the plaudits that Daryl Mitchell has received for his marvellous century.
An excellent knock also by Rachin Ravindra, while the 64 runs that Mitchell and Ben Sears added in their “interrupted” partnership could yet prove the difference.
what a cricketer
the sort of all-rounder we have been screaming for to emerge
thrived on a challenge
and the batsman you didn’t gob off to because it made him grow bigger
just like Isaac Vivian Augustus Richards or Lara
Geez England will struggle for a bit without Stokes
no-one to engineer miracles
There is still hope for England to engineer miracles with Joel Wilson still umpiring mate!!! 
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Yeah the umpiring fraternity has been lacking since David Shepherd & Dickie Bird and company
Even this test saw Santner given out off the forearm within seconds by the 3rd umpire
one view was just a joke mate
All over now.
Kiwis Flogged England by 160 runs!
Well Done Fellas!
Has there been a more selfish cricketer than Ben Stokes? Absolute blessing for English cricket that this flog has fked off. Maybe they can start worrying about winning test matches rather than moral victories. Emilio Gay can have the opening spot back too.
Gee they played footage of that Headingly 2019 Test again during the lunch break yesterday.
Despite all the Stokes “heroics” it just reminded everyone how poor Paine was as a Captain, Lyon stuffing up an easy run out that would have ended the game, many dropped catches and then the howler of the century by Joel Wilson which showed Stokes was lbw plumb in front hitting middle stump half way up!!!
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Yes and Paine burned that review in the previous over that meant they had none left for that Wilson howler. They really lost the plot on that afternoon.
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Contrast the retirement announcements of Kane Williamson, a humble team oriented champion who quietly retired after the first test. Stokes turned his announcement into a circus and he threw the rest of his team under the bus during the game. It was all about him.
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I think that was my impression of the whole situation mikeh…….Williamson no thrills no fuss…..far better cricketer then Stokes, with way less bells and whistles then the Durham Kiwi. Like what Dazzler said…..Stokes is a selfish individual…….glad Eng lost…..but then again I will never hear the end of this Black Cap win…..the Kiwi fans are freaking FOS at the best of times ….overbearing and opinionated…..bit like us Aussies no doubt when the Poms get beaten ……lol
Who will be the next captain of the England test team? Harry Brook is the vice captain so he would seem the obvious choice but there are some doubts about his maturity given some of his on and off field behaviour and Joe Root doesnt seem keen on taking it on again. Stokes as a player is a massive hole to fill, his presence as an all rounder bought balance to the team
The other question that is hanging over this team is whether the hierarchy is going to stick with McCullum as coach. Baz talks a big game but if you look at the actual results, they have failed in every major series against the top teams during his tenure.
Mike Atherton made the observation on the Sky coverage last night that Bazball had died at the same ground where it launched 4 years ago.
They have 12 months to get their act together before the 2027 ashes series. It will be another opportunity for them against an Australian team that will be in transition as well. Will the band be together for one last encore ( the band of course being Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins and Lyon)
As for the Kiwis they will come to Australia later this year full of confidence after wins in India and England over the past 12 months
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I reckon Baz McCullum is doing a great job as the England coach! 
8 losses from their last 10 Tests, keep him in the job!
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Totally agree BH, and long may Baz continue in the role……especially until the next Ashes atleast
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