Archer averages over 30 per wicket in test cricket which is very ordinary considering all the fuss.
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Some commentators are not impressed.
'It’s ludicrous. Absolutely ludicrous. How are you paying this guy up to £ 1 million per year, and he’s not available for your first Test match? It is absolutely ludicrous. The last time that New Zealand came here, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Matt Henry were all practicing in between games in the IPL with a red ball and getting through overs and overs and overs so that they were ready to go when they arrived,” Doull told Sky Sports.
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Totally agree. What I don’t know is how this has happened and who is to blame. I have a feeling it may be the ECB, after all Key etc have a pretty poor record at making sure the Test squad is well prepared before a series. Although apparently that was something they were ‘going to learn from’ after the Ashes review.
Bruce
Not raining yet, but very murky and damp. NZ win toss and bowl.
Bit of a challenge for the new opener on debut!
Bruce
London has had a lot of rain these past few days, but this wicket is looking like another Lord’s pudding, with often low bounce, which isn’t great for the batting or fielding sides.
Listening to McCullum being interviewed by Athers, I can’t help but feel things are being over-complicated. Digging in as a batting side used to be standard stuff, but not now it seems.
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England in deep doo doos at the moment.
I suspect they’ll be off again soon for rain 
Much needed.!!
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To be fair only Smith has donated his wicket. Good bowling otherwise.
Smith has played well this season in county matches but I see muddled thinking when he steps up to Test matches. I thought him lucky to retain his place. If a poor batting performance is followed by mediocre keeping (as in the winter) there may be an opportunity for a fresh young keeper.
I think it would be good to see players other than quick bowlers rotated this summer, for example give both Bashir and Ahmed chances, and maybe get Rew in for a go even if others are scoring some runs. Apparently he can keep too, although I am not sure how well
Bruce
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I was a bit surprised that Smith kept the gloves. He looks like good white ball batsman to me. His keeping looks ordinary at best.
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As the saying goes, don’t judge a pitch until both sides bat (impressive over from Robinson).
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I do feel a bit uncomfortable with “umpire’s call” on LBWs. I don’t trust the accuracy of the technology to that degree. Some just don’t look right.
Unless, of course, the batsmen are Australian. Lol.
But what is the alternative? Override the on-field umpire for an equally borderline alternative?
I think umpires should not give out decisions if there is doubt. I feel “slightly” more comfortable if the bowler then reviews it. But hey!!
That feels to me like what I think of as the bad old days where batsmen covered their stumps and got away with it. I want the umpires to give their best judgement. The best technology we have suggests they are right most of the time.
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I think the system is fine, especially as ‘Umpires call’ means the on-field decisions still have the highest value. If given out LBW you need to be pretty sure to challenge it as a batter, and vice versa for bowlers. It seems to me the umpires have retained respect, and their skills.
Bad decisions such as being given out LBW when you have hit it get reversed correctly.
Bruce
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Well forecast 
I’m all for the technology; but I want it consistently applied across all test venues - one system across the board. This will allow more investment to improve the accuracy, but it means the hosts have to invest in sufficient cameras / systems to an agreed standard.
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You have to wonder about our test selection methodology when the man who’s given preferential treatment, although he averages over 30 runs per wicket and still can’t play is replaced by a man they refused to play, despite averaging 22 runs per wicket turns up and takes four quick wickets!
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Robinson in his own words:
"I was nowhere near ready to play or anywhere near where I am now as a person and a cricketer," Robinson said of missing the Ashes.
"It’s only been the last few months that I’ve got the enjoyment back for the game and knuckled down a bit more."
You may wonder about the man-management that lead to this but Robinson had become unselectable for a while, and it seems to be accepted that was due to fitness, attitude and conduct issues.
Bruce