Mini-session analysis, 3rd test, New Zealand England, Eden Park, 2012/3

Here is the final mini-session analysis for the third test between New Zealand and England at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	New Zealand 31/0 off 15	draw
1-1b	New Zealand 48/1 off 13	New Zealand
1-2a	New Zealand 48/0 off 15	New Zealand
1-2b	New Zealand 46/0 off 16	New Zealand
1-3a	New Zealand 36/0 off 13.4	New Zealand
1-3b	New Zealand 41/0 off 17.2	New Zealand
2-1a	New Zealand 24/1 off 14	England
2-1b	New Zealand 38/2 off 14	England
2-2a	New Zealand 53/1 off 10.4	New Zealand
2-2b	New Zealand 49/1 off 17.2	draw
2-3a	New Zealand 29/4 off 6	New Zealand
2-3b	England 50/2 off 25	New Zealand
3-1a	England 22/3 off 11.5	New Zealand
3-1b	England 20/0 off 17.1	New Zealand
3-2a	England 39/0 off 15	England
3-2b	England 45/1 off 14	draw
3-3a	England 28/4 off 6.2	New Zealand
3-3b	New Zealand 20/3 off 11	England
3-3c	New Zealand 15/0 off 12	England
4-1a	New Zealand 47/1 off 12.3	New Zealand
4-1b	New Zealand 94/0 off 13.3	New Zealand
4-2a	New Zealand 65/2 off 8.2	New Zealand
4-2b	England 45/1 off 16	New Zealand
4-3a	England 32/1 off 20	New Zealand
4-3b	England 13/2 off 16.1	New Zealand
5-1a	England 37/0 off 16.5	England
5-1b	England 31/1 off 14	New Zealand
5-2a	England 41/1 off 13	England
5-2b	England 38/1 off 14.3	draw
5-3a	England 38/0 off 17.3	England
5-3b	England 40/2 off 15	New Zealand

Final update, click here
The match is drawn, but New Zealand win the mini-session count 19 - 8

First drinks, Day 1: The mini-session count is tied up, 0-0

A steady, but unspectacular start from New Zealand after being inserted. I do wonder if McCullum was actually foxing about wanting to bowl first.

Lunch, Day 1: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 1-0

A good start by Rutherford and Fulton was soured by a loss of concentration by Rutherford at the end of the session. Still New Zealand are in a good position.

Final drinks, Day 1: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 4-0

England have almost seemed to give up on trying to get a wicket, and are hoping that these two batsmen will get themselves out. Their lines and lengths have not been what should be expected of a test attack. Only Stuart Broad has had the batsmen under any sort of pressure.

Stumps, Day 1: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 5-0

This pitch is not as easy to bat on as these two are making it look. I was watching the majority of that hour from square of the wicket, and the bounce was variable.

First drinks, Day 2: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 5-1

England finally found a way through this partnership. It's the third largest partnership against England in New Zealand, and the third largest 2nd wicket partnership at Eden Park.

Final drinks, Day 2: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 7-2

Southee batting at 8 doesn't make much sense when a team is trying to save a match. In a situation like this, however, it's a great move. He has taken the game to England, and New Zealand now have a respectable first innings score, and much faster than it was looking like.

Stumps, Day 2: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 8-2

Trent Boult picked up two wickets to make it well and truely New Zealand's day. England will need to bat well tomorrow.

First drinks, Day 3: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 9-2

Boult and Southee were in Sri Lanka form this morning. They looked unstopable. England are in serious trouble now.

Lunch, Day 3: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 10-2

20 runs in the hour. While Wagner and Martin didn't make the breakthrough, they certainly kept things tight.

Tea, Day 3: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 10-3

England were looking very good there until Prior made a bad call and played a shot that he will regret. New Zealand now have one end open with the new ball.

Change of innings, Day 3: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 11-3

Trent Boult and Tim Southee finished off the tail. Boult was probably unlucky that Southee dismissed Root at the end, as he would have probably backed himself to pick up Monty fairly quickly and turn 6 into 7. McCullum chose not to enforce the follow on, which seems the right decision to me. It means he gets to chose the heavy roller twice, he gets to give his bowlers a rest and he isn't going to have to bat last on a potentially deteriorating pitch. I'd expect this pitch to take some real turn on the last day and a half.

Final drinks, Day 3: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 11-4

What a disastrous start by New Zealand. Anderson and Borad have combined to leave New Zealand in tatters. England have a serious sniff now. Perhaps McCullum made the wrong call.

Stumps, Day 3: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 11-5

New Zealand see out the day, but what was their day suddenly took a dive at the end. Still New Zealand are in a stronger place at the end of the day than at the start of it. 11 wickets fell again today. This is starting to look very interesting.

First drinks, Day 4: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 12-5

Fulton and Brownlie made some steady progress in the morning. They have gone close to getting New Zealand to safety. Probably New Zealand want about another 80 runs before a lunchtime declaration.

Lunch, Day 4: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 13-5

With Fulton into the 90s, a lunchtime declaration is now probably off the cards. Perhaps once he gets to 100 it will be time to head back?

Middle drinks, Day 4: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 14-5

McCullum took a lot longer to declare than I was expecting, but it might have been due to the runs being so easy to score this morning. The fear that one English batsman would "do an Astle" is probably too strong. Cook is likely to be criticized for his tactics in that hour, but they were sensible, given the situation.

Tea, Day 4: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 15-5

An early breakthrough, and England are looking shaky now. They need a big partnership.

Stumps, Day 4: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 17-5

The thought that Kane Williamson would have provided the vital breakthroughs at the end of the day was quite surprising, but he certainly bowled well. Cook looked furious at himself, while Finn looked like a wicket waiting to happen.

First drinks, Day 5: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 17-6

Solid batting from Root and Bell. New Zealand really need a wicket before lunch, so they can bowl at new batsmen with the new ball.

Lunch, Day 5: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 18-6

The wicket came with the first delivery of the new ball. And there could have been more. First Bairstow survived an lbw shout that turned out to be very close, and then both batsmen were dropped off Boult's second over with the new ball. The big question now is if they will make the most of their lives.

Middle drinks, Day 5: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 18-7

England make steady progress through the day, but New Zealand chip out another one. Prior is living dangerously. His 20 has come off 24 balls, and has included a couple of top edges, some playing and missing, and two very close umpiring calls.

Tea, Day 5: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 18-7

It had started to look like these two were going to see it out, but then Wagner removed Southee to complete the session, and now the impetus is back with New Zealand.

Final drinks, Day 5: New Zealand lead the mini-session count 18-8

Superb from Prior and Broad. This is a big innings for Broad in particular. He has been talked up as a batsman for a long time, here is a chance for him to deliver.

Stumps, Day 5: The match is drawn, but New Zealand take the mini-session count 19-8

A thrilling end, even if somewhat of a let down for the home-town supporters. There was an older gentleman, probably in his late 70's or early 80's sitting a couple of seats along from me. When Anderson was dismissed he was up out of his chair, waving his hand above his head and shouting. No sport creates emotion like a test match. In the end New Zealand didn't do quite enough to win the match. They will rue the dropped catches, as well as the ball hitting Prior's stumps, but not knocking the bails off.

England will probably be more relieved than proud of their effort. Prior stood out like a sore thumb amongst his compatriots, while New Zealand had a number of candidates for an internal man of the match. It's a match that will live on in the memories of everyone who was fortunate enough to have watched it.

Mini-session analysis 4th test India v Australia, Delhi, 2013

Here is the final mini-session analysis for the fourth test between India and Australia at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	Australia 47/1 off 14	Australia
1-1b	Australia 47/1 off 14	Australia
1-2a	Australia 35/4 off 18.2	India
1-2b	Australia 24/1 off 20.4	India
1-3a	Australia 44/1 off 18	draw
1-3b	Australia 34/0 off 13	Australia
2-1a	Australia 31/2 off 7	Australia
2-1b	India 59/0 off 14	India
2-2a	India 49/1 off 11.1	India
2-2b	India 24/1 off 12.5	Australia
2-3a	India 73/3 off 13	Australia
2-3b	India 61/3 off 17.1	Australia
3-1a	India 6/2 off 2.1	India
	Australia 51/3 off 16
3-1b	Australia 38/2 off 15	India
3-2a	Australia 68/4 off 13.4	India
3-2b	Australia 7/1 off 1.5	India
	India 72/1 off 12
3-3a	India 56/3 off 14.4	draw
3-3b	India 30/0 off 4.4	India

Final update, click here
India win the match by 6 wickets and the mini-session count 9 - 7


Lunch, Day 1: Australia lead the mini-session count 2-0

A positive start for Australia. They slightly edged both hours. The attacking version of Philip Hughes that was unleashed in the second innings of the last test, and again here, doesn't last any longer than the defensive version, but it's certainly much more fun to watch.

Middle drinks, Day 1: Australia lead the mini-session count 2-1

And like that the game changes. India pick up 4 quick wickets and Australia are placed in a lot of trouble. While they are leading the mini-sesison count, they are well behind in the match now.

Tea, Day 1: The mini-session count is tied up, 2-2

One has to wonder if Australia and New Zealand have swapped teams. New Zealand have batted out a day with only losing one run against England, while Australia are relying on their bowlers for the runs. An almost complete role reversal.

Final drinks, Day 1: The mini-session count is tied up, 2-2

India will be frustrated that they haven't been able to take more than the one wicket this hour.

Stumps, Day 1: Australia lead the mini-session count 3-2

It's India's day, despite them really only being dominant for one hour. But what an hour. Australia will be hoping that Siddle can complete his 50, and they can frustrate the Indian bowlers longer tomorrow. Starc top scored in the last match, and now Siddle in this one. It's almost like watching Northern Districts.

Lunch, Day 2: Australia lead the mini-session count 4-3

Pujara and Vijay are looking relentless. They are scoring at over 4 an over, at the start of the innings against some good bowlers. This match might descend into a real drubbing if this continues.

Middle drinks, Day 2: The mini-session count is tied up, 4-4

A fantastic partnership comes to an end. It was good batting, and it may have set a platform for India to take the match away from Australia here.

Tea, Day 2: Australia lead the mini-session count 5-4

During that hour, the Australian pace bowlers created huge pressure. They conceded 6 runs from 8 overs (4 each from Pattinson and Johnson). That allowed Lyon the pressure to look like a world class spinner. All spin bowlers require pressure to really threaten. This is posibly the first time that Lyon has had that luxury this series.

Final drinks, Day 2: Australia lead the mini-session count 6-4

Now the match gets interesting 73 runs, but 33 wickets. The pressure of the last hour was released, but it came at a significant cost. Australia are back in this match.

Stumps, Day 2: Australia lead the mini-session count 7-4

Another good hour for Australia. Nathan Lyon completed his 5-for and India are now in some difficulty. They lead by 4 with 2 wickets in hand. They are still probably in the better position, but not by much.

First drinks, Day 3: Australia lead the mini-session count 7-5

A good start for Australia, followed by an even better start for India.

Lunch, Day 3: Australia lead the mini-session count 7-6

It looks like the Australians are expecting their bowlers to score the runs again. That worked quite well in the first innings, but I'm not sure it's a good tactic.

Middle drinks, Day 3: The mini-session count is tied up, 7-7

Ravindra Jadeja doesn't look particularly venomous, but he certainly is effective. Australia are in a world of trouble now. They need another big effort from Siddle here to avoid being beaten in 3 days.

Tea, Day 3: India lead the mini-session count 8-7

One has to wonder if Cheteshwar Pujara has a plane to catch. He has approached this run chase as if it was a t20 match. It's very heady batting, as he has denied the bowlers a chance to settle. If they had that opportunity on this pitch then they would have had a chance to bowl Australia into a winning position. It was risky, but it was a risk worth taking.

Final drinks, Day 3: India lead the mini-session count 8-7

Australia are threatening, but India look to be too far ahead. Australia's bowlers have put up a good fight, but their batting was just too inept, and undid all the good work their bowlers did with the bat and ball.

End of match, Day 3: India Win the match by 6 wickets and the mini-session count 9-7

Lyon fell short of his 10 wicket haul, but Siddle managed to join an exclusive group to have been batting on every day of a test. He's also the first number 9 to hit fifties in each innings and to top score in each innings. The last statistic is one that every Australian batsman should hang their heads over. This was a tricky pitch, and the new ball was difficult to navigate, but it wasn't as bad as they made it look. - Mykuhl

Mini-session analysis 2nd test, WI Zim, Rosseau, 2013

Here is the mini-session analysis for the first test between West Indies and Zimbabwe at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	Zimbabwe 43/2 off 10.3	West Indies
1-1b	Zimbabwe 50/1 off 16.3	draw
1-2a	Zimbabwe 27/1 off 13	West Indies
1-2b	Zimbabwe 38/3 off 16	West Indies
1-3a	Zimbabwe 17/3 off 4.5	Zimbabwe
	West Indies 57/2 off 14
1-3b	West Indies 57/0 off 13	West Indies
2-1a	West Indies 33/1 off 14	Zimbabwe
2-1b	West Indies 54/1 off 17	draw
2-2a	West Indies 52/0 off 16	West Indies
2-2b	West Indies 42/0 off 16	West Indies
2-3a	West Indies 54/0 off 13	West Indies
2-3b	West Indies 32/4 off 14	Zimbabwe
3-1a	Zimbabwe 45/1 off 12	Zimbabwe
3-1b	Zimbabwe 32/3 off 14	West Indies
3-2a	Zimbabwe 59/3 off 14.5	West Indies
3-2b	Zimbabwe 5/3 off 1.3	West Indies

Final update, click here
West Indies win the mini-session count 10 - 4


Summary West Indies win the match by an innings and 41 runs, and the mini-session count 10-4

I was mocked by a number of people for putting Shane Shillingford into my world test XI at the end of last year. He has again shown why I rate him highly. He takes wickets. Quite a lot of wickets. A few years ago West Indies vs Zimbabwe was quite a close contest. This series shows both how far West Indies have come under Sammy and how far Zimbabwe have fallen in the last 12 years.

Mini-session Analysis 2nd Test, Sri Lanka Bangladesh, Premadasa 2013

Here is the mini-session analysis for the second test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	Bangladesh 31/1 off 14	Sri Lanka
1-1b	Bangladesh 31/1 off 13	Sri Lanka
1-2a	Bangladesh 45/1 off 15	draw
1-2b	Bangladesh 48/2 off 13	Sri Lanka
1-3a	Bangladesh 41/1 off 16	Sri Lanka
1-3b	Bangladesh 44/4 off 12.3	Sri Lanka
	Sri Lanka 18/1 off 4
2-1a	Sri Lanka 34/2 off 12	Bangladesh
2-1b	Sri Lanka 29/1 off 12	Bangladesh
2-2a	Sri Lanka 51/0 off 16	Sri Lanka
2-2b	Sri Lanka 43/0 off 14	Sri Lanka
2-3a	Sri Lanka 56/0 off 15	Sri Lanka
2-3b	Sri Lanka 63/2 off 20	Bangladesh
3-1a	Sri Lanka 35/2 off 14	Bangladesh
3-1b	Sri Lanka 17/2 off 4.3	Bangladesh
	Bangladesh 23/0 off 7
3-2a	Bangladesh 50/0 off 15	Bangladesh
3-2b	Bangladesh 20/1 off 17	Sri Lanka
3-3a	Bangladesh 35/1 off 14	Sri Lanka
3-3b	Bangladesh 30/2 off 16	Sri Lanka
4-1a	Bangladesh 44/3 off 12.5	Sri Lanka
4-1b	Bangladesh 63/3 off 18.5	Sri Lanka
4-2a	Sri Lanka 46/1 off 9.1	Sri Lanka
4-2b	Sri Lanka 57/0 off 13.5	Sri Lanka
4-3a	Sri Lanka 47/2 off 14	Bangladesh
4-3b	Sri Lanka 10/0 off 4.4	-

Latest update, click here
Sri Lanka lead the mini-session count 15 - 7


End of match, Day 4: Sri Lanka lead the mini-session count 15-7

This was quite a good test match. There were two decisive things in it. First the partnership between Sangakkara and Chandimal that put Sri Lanka into a dominant position, then the bowling of Herath in the second innings. Bangladesh are certainly improving as a test team. This was a genuine match, and while Sri Lanka were the better side, they are a very good team at home. - Mykuhl

Mini-session Analysis 3rd test, Ind Aus, Mohali 2013

Here is the final mini-session analysis for the third test between India and Australia at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, India

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
2-1a	Australia 48/0 off 17	Australia
2-1b	Australia 61/0 off 19	Australia
2-2a	Australia 36/2 off 19	India
2-2b	Australia 35/1 off 17	India
2-3a	Australia 57/1 off 18	Australia
2-3b	Australia 36/3 off 14	India
3-1a	Australia 75/1 off 20.1	Australia
3-1b	Australia 60/2 off 17.4	India
	India 3/0 off 1
3-2a	India 54/0 off 14	India
3-2b	India 99/0 off 14	India
3-3a	India 55/0 off 14	India
3-3b	India 72/0 off 15	India
4-1a	India 56/2 off 19	Australia
4-1b	India 45/1 off 17.1	Australia
4-2a	India 47/4 off 14.5	Australia
4-2b	India 48/0 off 16	India
4-3a	India 20/3 off 7.1	Australia
4-3b	Australia 75/3 off 21	India
5-1a	Australia 44/2 off 25	India
5-1b	Australia 51/3 off 21	India
5-2a	Australia 41/1 off 18	Australia
5-2b	Australia 12/1 off 4.2	India
	India 30/0 off 7
5-3a	India 58/2 off 14	Australia
5-3b	India 48/2 off 12.3	India

Final update, click here
India won the match by 6 wickets and the mini-session count 14 - 10

First drinks, Day 2: Australia lead the mini-session count 1-0

There was a lot of talk before the match about the "homeworkgate" saga and the changes to Australia's middle order. However the one combination that wasn't impacted at all was the openers, and they've made a solid start here.

Middle drinks, Day 2: Australia lead the mini-session count 2-1

Michael Clarke became only the 6th batsman since 1969 to be stumped first ball. Hardly a group that he would have wanted to be part of.

Lunch, Day 3: The mini-session count is tied up, 4-4

First Smith got out for 92, then Starc joined the 99 club. It's hard not to feel very sorry for them.

Tea, Day 3: India lead the mini-session count 6-4

Someone needs to tell Shikhar Dhawan that it's a test, not an ODI match. His hundred came up off 85 balls, and featured 84 runs in boundaries.

Stumps, Day 3: India lead the mini-session count 8-4

What an amazing day for India. While the Australian tail wagged significantly, the Indian openers undid almost all the damage that Starc and Smith managed.

Middle drinks, Day 4: India lead the mini-session count 8-7

Australia delayed the new ball by 20 overs, but once they took it it had a dramatic impact. I doubt they'll make that mistake if they get another chance to bowl.

Stumps, Day 4: India lead the mini-session count 10-8

On a pitch that seems to be spinning, 11 of the 13 wickets that fell today were to pace bowlers. Interestingly only a couple of those were to balls that did something off the pitch. However the pitch does look like it might be starting to play tricks, and if Australia manage to get a lead of 180, and give themselves 50 overs, they could still very well win this match.

Lunch, Day 5: India lead the mini-session count 12-8

The Australian recovery was stymied by a couple of very dubious umpiring decisions, which again back up the BCCI's decision to not have the UDRS. Umpires inadvertently tend to give the benefit of the doubt to the team which has the momentum. It's never deliberate, but it tends to happen. Just like someone batting at number 10 seems to be much more likely to get a bad LBW decision, teams that have a reputation as struggling against spin tend to have more lbw or bat-pad decisions go against them when spinners are bowling, and likewise teams that have a reputation as having a weakness against the moving ball are more likely to have lbw or caught behind decisions go against them in conditions that suit pace.

Middle drinks, Day 5: India lead the mini-session count 12-9

Australia have almost managed to get to a defendable score. Fantastic work from the tail. Mitchell Starc looks better against spin than the majority of the Australia top order.

Stumps, Day 5: India lead the mini-session count 14-10

India have managed to win, but it was a close victory against a depleted Australian side. India will be waiting to hear how Shihkar Dhawan recovers from his hand injury, as they may have a very good partnership forming with Vijay and Dhawan. Australia will be seriously looking at the option of swapping Mitchells: Johnson for Starc. Starc seems to be in better form with the bat than the ball at the moment, which is not really what the team needs from one of their strike bowlers. The only Australian bowlers who have averaged under 60 in this series are Pattinson, Siddle and Maxwell. I think a bowling line up of Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon, Johnson and Smith looks more threatening than Siddle, Pattinson, Doherty, Lyon and Henriques personally, even with the traditionally spin friendly nature of the Kolta.

Mini-sesison Analysis, 2nd test NZ Eng, Wellington 2012/13

Here is the mini-session analysis for the second test between New Zealand and England at Basin Reserve, Wellington

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	England 44/1 off 14	draw
1-1b	England 31/0 off 14	draw
1-2a	England 56/0 off 15	England
1-2b	England 31/0 off 15	draw
1-3a	England 74/0 off 15	England
1-3b	England 31/1 off 17	New Zealand
2-1a	England 31/1 off 15	draw
2-1b	England 55/2 off 15	England
2-2a	England 52/2 off 15	draw
2-2b	England 60/3 off 11.5	draw
2-3a	New Zealand 33/1 off 17	England
2-3b	New Zealand 33/2 off 16	England
3-1a	New Zealand 52/2 off 13	England
3-1b	New Zealand 51/0 off 15	New Zealand
3-2a	New Zealand 47/2 off 15	England
3-2b	New Zealand 38/3 off 13.2	England
3-3a	New Zealand 46/1 off 16	England
3-3b	New Zealand 31/0 off 17	draw
4-1a	New Zealand 32/1 off 14	England
4-1b	New Zealand 44/0 off 15	New Zealand
4-3a	New Zealand 9/0 off 6	-

Latest update, click here
England lead the mini-session count 10 - 3

First drinks, Day 1: The mini-session count is tied up, 0-0

Some early signs of swing, but not nearly enough to justify bowling first. Both captains were going to insert the other team, so this might have been a good toss to lose. - Mykuhl

Lunch, Day 1: The mini-session count is tied up, 0-0

England haven't lost a wicket, but New Zealand have kept them contained. These two are biding their time, but they are not looking particularly threatened. - Mykuhl

Middle drinks, Day 1: England lead the mini-session count 1-0

This is a fantastic partnership for England here. Compton is going well in a second match in a row, which is a credit to him, as New Zealand is often a graveyard for opening batsmen. - Mykuhl

Tea, Day 1: England lead the mini-session count 1-0

New Zealand have ramped up the pressure, without any reward as yet. - Mykuhl

Final drinks, Day 1: England lead the mini-session count 2-0

More solid batting. This is an outstanding partnership, which has put England into a very strong position. New Zealand once inserted the West Indies, only for them to be 270/1 at stumps. This is feeling similar. - Mykuhl

Stumps, Day 1: England lead the mini-session count 2-1

Not quite 270/1, but still very much England's day. The new ball bowlers just didn't have any penetration, and looked a bit tired. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it might have been better to save the new ball until the morning, when Southee, Boult and Wagner would be fresher. - Mykuhl

First drinks, Day 2: England lead the mini-session count 2-1

England are making very slow progress. I'm not sure if it's a deliberate thing, where they are trying to play on the fact that the New Zealand bowlers are tired, but it's certainly attritional stuff. - Mykuhl

Lunch, Day 2: England lead the mini-session count 3-1

While New Zealand had their most successful hour with the ball, this hour belonged to England. They started to accelerate, and losing a couple of wickets at this point is not as crippling as doing it early on day one would have been. - Mykuhl

Middle drinks, Day 2: England lead the mini-session count 3-1

England won't be unhappy with that hour, despite losing another couple of wickets. Bruce Martin has really stepped up here. The concern with Martin was that he was going to be too wayward, and bowl too many bad balls looking for wickets. He has instead bowled quite tightly, but hasn't sacrificed giving himself some opportunities to take wickets.

England scored quickly enough that they will still feel that they are in as good a position after the hour as they were before it. - Mykuhl

Tea, Day 2: England lead the mini-session count 3-1

New Zealand were effective at one end, while Matt Prior owned the other end. Once he departed things wrapped up quickly. I think Prior is looking like England's best batsman at the moment. - Mykuhl

Final drinks, Day 2: England lead the mini-session count 4-1

It's not just England playing incredibly slowly. The New Zealand top 3 have been very cautious. - Mykuhl

Stumps, Day 2: England lead the mini-session count 5-1

That hour turned dramatically in the space of 2 balls. New Zealand looked to be building a solid platform, then Broad removed Rutherford and then bowled a peach to dismiss Ross Taylor for only his third test duck. - Mykuhl

First drinks, Day 3: England lead the mini-session count 6-1

The follow-on target is starting to look a long way off now. New Zealand need big innings from McCullum and Watling now. - Mykuhl

Lunch, Day 3: England lead the mini-session count 6-2

A good hour for New Zealand, they are now less than 100 from the follow on target. - Mykuhl

Middle drinks, Day 3: England lead the mini-session count 7-2

Southee is a good option at 8 when the team is on top, the bowlers are tired and NZ are looking for quick runs. I'm not sure Southee at 8 is such a good idea when the team is needing to bat time. He almost embodies the reductio ad absurdum to the "play your natural game" concept. - Mykuhl

Tea, Day 3: England lead the mini-session count 8-2

New Zealand fall 11 runs short of the follow on target, and England enforce it. Bruce Martin showed some bottle at the end, but it was just not enough. - Mykuhl

Stumps, Day 3: England lead the mini-session count 9-2

New Zealand managed to survive the final hour, but it feels like only rain can prevent England winning this match by a large margin. - Mykuhl

First drinks, Day 4: England lead the mini-session count 10-2

The wicket of Peter Fulton made this England's hour. New Zealand will be pleased that it was just one, and not a cluster, like they have been losing in the rest of this match. - Mykuhl

Lunch, Day 4: England lead the mini-session count 10-3

A solid hour from Taylor and Williamson. England are losing their race against the clock. - Mykuhl

Final drinks, Day 4: England lead the mini-session count 10-3

That's probably the end of the match. The forecast is for rain tomorrow, and so this match will probably end as a damp squib. All eyes will now turn to Eden Park, hosting a test for the first time in 8 years. - Mykuhl

Mini-session Analysis 1st Test, WI Zim, Bridgetown Barbados 2013

Here is the final mini-session analysis for the first test between West Indies and Zimbabwe at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	Zimbabwe 30/1 off 14	West Indies
1-1b	Zimbabwe 61/1 off 13	Zimbabwe
1-2a	Zimbabwe 38/2 off 15	West Indies
1-2b	Zimbabwe 33/2 off 15	West Indies
1-3a	Zimbabwe 34/1 off 15.5	draw
1-3b	Zimbabwe 15/3 off 3.5	Zimbabwe
	West Indies 18/2 off 11
2-1a	West Indies 63/1 off 9.3	West Indies
2-1b	West Indies 63/2 off 20.1	Zimbabwe
2-2a	West Indies 73/1 off 15.2	West Indies
2-2b	West Indies 48/1 off 15	West Indies
2-3a	West Indies 42/3 off 13.2	Zimbabwe
2-3b	Zimbabwe 41/3 off 14	West Indies
3-1a	Zimbabwe 36/3 off 16	West Indies
3-1b	Zimbabwe 30/4 off 10.2	West Indies
	West Indies 9/1 off 3

Final update, click here
West Indies win the match by 9 wickets and the mini-session count 9 - 4


Lunch, Day 1: The mini-session count is tied up, 1-1

A reasonable start from Mawoyo, it's good to see him hitting some form again. - Mykuhl

Stumps, Day 1: West Indies lead the mini-session count 3-2

When Kyle Jarvis was playing for Central Districts he produced a couple of magic spells. This is certainly a good start from him.

Lunch, Day 2: West Indies lead the mini-session count 4-3

Zimbabwe have an opening here. If they can wrap up the tail cheaply they could be back in this match.

Final drinks, Day 2: West Indies lead the mini-session count 6-4

Darren Sammy is an interesting cricketer. Not quite a batsman, not quite a bowler, and yet he's capable of turning a match with either. That was a sensational innings in the context of this match.

Stumps, Day 2: West Indies lead the mini-session count 7-4

Things are suddenly looking very grim for Zimbabwe. They desperately need a big partnership.

End of match, Day 3: West Indies lead the mini-session count 9-4

The big partnership never came. Shane Shillingford has done this to a couple of teams now, he's starting to look a little like West Indies version of Abdul Rehman, generally doesn't look particularly special, but has days where he is almost unplayable. Despite generally being good at playing spin, the Zimbabwe batsmen were all at sea against him here.