Cricket Anyone?

It's the Ashes year and as a warm-up we've had a 2 test series against New Zealand and have just started the five game one day series.
So we won the first test well but lost the second terribly.
On to today. Fielding a new look one day side we have just beaten the world cup runners up in a record fashion. Having lost the toss they were put in to bat first and first ball of the day they lost their first wicket. After that they tickled along to 202 for six wickets and then all hell let loose....................

• Highest ODI total by England (and 10th highest of all time)
• Highest ODI total in England
• Highest ODI score by a number six batsman for England
• Most sixes scored in an ODI innings by England (14)
• Highest seventh-wicket partnership in ODI history

Eventually the fifty overs were up and England had scored 408 runs (we've been struggling to do that in a test innings!). It got better though - NZ all out in 31 overs for just 198!

All we need now is consistency - please.

 

I tend to follow the test match score.
But basically I know almost next to nothing about cricket.

 

Just finished watching it @longk glad I had the day off work now
What a innings by Jos Buttler Confidence is a wonderful thing.
Nice to see them playing with freedom

 

Good to see England playing a more attacking and entertaining style of one day cricket.

I'll be more than happy if they keep playing that way, as I've just been given free tickets to the next one day game at the Oval on Friday.

 

Cricket at this level is an event as much as a sporting interest. I'm hooked on Test Match Special as it is a great days entertainment. But as Mowgley and Trunky said this new approach (if that is what is is) can only be great for the game.
One other point that bears repeating is the spirit in which the games with NZ have been played. What are the chances that The Ashes will be played in a similar spirit?

 

A week ago England lost to NZ in the 2nd Test - Zeros
This week they win an ODI - Heros

Wouldn't get too excited about it.
Maybe when they start winning consistently........

 

Well, that's the second game lost. But what a way to lose! With the match shortened by rain they just fell short and both sides seemed to be hitting sixes for fun.

 

I think there's been plenty of disappointment over the years, always good to celebrate when things go well.

 

Or simply celebrate what does appear to be a new approach to playing one day cricket.

 

I try to not get carried away, 'false dawns' and all that. But yes, it does seem to be a different approach. This is what makes cricket so exciting, you never know what's gonna happen. I do think there have been times when we (England) have been too afraid of losing, which has restricted our freedom of play. I always remember the look of astonishment on Alan Border's face as Chris Broad smacked it all over the park, priceless

 

That is so true. As Brendon McCullum says it is a risky approach but one that I think will ultimately see the public behind you win or lose.

 

Always sweeter against the Aussies. The look on Ricky Pontins face as the ashes slipped away was equally glorious