Fight Back of sorts

England 290-8
v New Zealand
close on Day One

2nd Test, played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Friday 30 March 2018

44 New Zealand Beer Ticks

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I'm partly wondering what they talk about between Tests. OK, NZ won the toss and inserted. OK, Boult & Southee at the top of their game. OK, the v hostile Wagner to come. But, 93 for 2 becomes 94 for 5. Unacceptable. I'm a two wickets per session, three runs an over sort of guy. I'll take seven down at close if pushed. So, really, that's not too bad at 290 for 8. Ninety five of those have come in the stand betwixt Bairstow & Mark Wood. Wood puts his feet up at 52. At least Stoneman got past the first change & took some shine off. He was fifth out, faced 111 balls, opener's job.

We took a trip out to Harrington's Brewery. A nice place. Plenty of their own on tap & bottle. The lists on the clipboards bore no resemblance to what actually on the taps. And, it's over critical, but what there was - OK, but a bit ordinary & underpowered. That 7.2% Helles, just nothing really going on (for example).

Harrington's Breweries, Traveller Pale Ale at 4.4%
Harrington's Breweries, Yankdak, American Pale Ale at 4.7%
Harrington's Breweries, Ngahere Gold, Helles Lager at 7.2%

We're back with the Red Ball.
We're back with 11am starts.
We’re back in the gaff in daylight.
The NZ clocks ain't changed yet.
Naturally, all that means, we're back on ROOM BEERS.

The Brown Beer Co, Pilsner from a bottle at 5%. Very clean & crisp. A gentle but of lime in the finish. Which surprised & pleased me. Nice beer.
Cassels & Sons, Red IPA from a bottle at 6.6%. A heavy, powerful, head spinning malt bomb. Spicy orange, caramel. Thick, coating, chewy.

634/1319