New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Wellington, 1st day

David Lloyd: Ambrose showed real battling qualities

March 13, 2008

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, England were placed well with a good opening stand between Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook, but then there was a collapse. But, Paul Collingwood and Tim Ambrose, the young wicketkeeper, hung in there and resurrected the England innings. Ambrose showed real battling qualities and his counterattack was a treat to watch

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Comments have now been closed for this article A couple of swallows do not make a summer, but the early indications are that England has at last found a good 'keeper whose batting is technically sound and apparently has the right mental attitude. Coming in in a crisis at Wellington he did not curly up and allow the bowlers to dictate but struck back at them in a controlled manner, helped no doubt by the admirable Collingwood at the other end, who must have been a comforting rock for him to rely on as he took the bowlers on. I will go out on a limb and predict that barring injury he will be a pillar of the team for years to come, certainly batting higher than no. 7 before long. Posted by omokoroa on March 13 2008, 20:51 PM GMT Hmm well i dont think we can jump to a conclusion such as that just yet. I might only be 15 and a wicketkeeper my self however i think he needs to play mor matches for englandd and realy fit into the role of a keeper/batsman. Hopefully by the time im 20-21 i will be playing for england as a batsman and mabe not keeper lets just see. However Ambrose needs caps under him andd letts see how sound his glovework realy is. Posted by rix93 on March 13 2008, 20:16 PM GMT Finally... WELL DONE England! A great conclusion to the final day thanks to Collingwood and Ambrose. The real 'middle order' once again disappoint and this is the real worry for England. The selectors have shown no mercy with the bowling attack - but seem to have infinite patience with out of form Batsmen? Strange. Whilst I would be the first to admit that KP is a potential match winner, his techniquue is so flawed that when he is out of form he's always going to struggle. It's time to leave him and his big ego out of the side and pray that he works hard and regains some form. Maybe Shah gets his chance? Anyhow, let's hope England finish the job and square the series. I will also be hoping that KP proves me wrong and produces a scintilating match winning ton in the second innings! That's assuming he will have to bat again. Posted by phoenixsteve on March 13 2008, 17:42 PM GMT lets not get ahead of ourselves, let him play few more test matches and then decide if he is a good batsman, or great batsman or an average. Lets not forget Matt Prior who scored century on his debut and was totted as next best thing that happened to england team, so lets wait and watch though Ambrose seems to be technically sound batsman. Posted by guesswhat555 on March 13 2008, 16:55 PM GMT ambrose really looks so good in batting. but unless he is good in keeping the wickets he may well join the list of read ,jones ,prior.. hope he is good at keeping Posted by EDWIN-KIMBERLY-KIM-CLIJSTERS-TRINKA on March 13 2008, 13:37 PM GMT Mr Lloyd I maintain that until England goes back to making all its players regulars in county cricket and the teams picked from performance in county cricket England's performance will lack the competitive edge.I do not agree with the system that the English players are put on contract and the only time they play competitive cricket is when the represent England. And by the way WI cricket has a similar problem as it has suffered negatively from players not playing in English county cricket. Regards, Bernard Cools-Lartigue Posted by runrace on March 13 2008, 12:20 PM GMT Top ^