From England's point of view, of course, the important thing is that they win the match to level the series. But there is a growing feeling that the top six - and perm it in any order you like - is fireproof and shouldn't be. I know this was discussed yesterday but it seems to be going on and on. There is a culture growing up - among the batsmen anyway - that if you're in the side you'll never be out of it and if you're out of it you'll never be in it.

First, to be fair to Bell - well he is a columnist for the Independent On Sunday after all -that perception is a bit wide of the mark. It stems only from the unbeaten fifty he made in the Hamilton Test when the match was all but done.
I'm keen to know how good players with clever and astute coaches in Peter Moores and Andy Flowers have got themselves into this position. Is it anything to do with the fact that they know in the era of central contracts and continuity they are unlikely to be dropped?

Overall, the time is rapidly approaching when changes have to be made. No they probably won't go for Shah. Somehow, his face doesn't seem to fit. You get players like that and usually it's no fault of their own. But I'm not sure the selectors really know who they're grooming despite Academy or the Performance Centre or whatever it's called. They picked Ravi Bopara too early and nobody else is making a clear case.
England should win this all right but they still give the impression that not everything is right.
But victory in Wellington may not be that straightforward. You mentioned Anderson injuring his ankle - in a football kickabaout after play - and he must be in doubt for tomorrow considering he

Yes, the dozy pillock. I thought I had a very rare exclusive. As I was waiting for a cab outside he came hobbling out on his crutches. So I rushed over to see what he'd done. He said it's not too bad and that it could be okay tomorrow but I'm not so sure.

If he isn't the fact that they were playing football may get some stick, but you can't wrap these players up in cotton wool. It is just unfortunate for Anderson as much as anybody. He deserves a bit of luck.

Even without him I feel they still have enough runs to win.

It could get sticky but England would hope to take a couple of wickets with the new ball. If they can it would knock the Black Caps back and it would be hard for them to come back.

What would be interesting is if Stuart Broad got warned off too - the umpires were looking in the first innings. Ryan Sidebottom would get a few overs then. No, sorry, it does not bare thinking about. England have to win here Napier is as flat as anything apparently and a draw is expected.

But New Zealand have talked themselves out of this game a bit. They were paranoid about the pitch before the start, rucking about Anderson too. Just shows what can happen when a team is distracted.

Interesting point you make Angus about Broad being looked at in the first innings, by the Umpires? - surely a bowler who is picked to play at Test level, and therefore one of the best 3 or 4 in the country, should know his game inside out and be at the peak of his powers? - we should not be having issues such as running on the wicket, a bowler changing his (reference Anderson going back to his "old" action?) - these are things that should be sorted out in the domestic game, not in the international arena - what are your thoughts?

The advantage of batting a team "out of the game" is that you can then set attacking fields, and always keep 2/3 men right around the bat, especially for spinners. Although I wouldn't say we have totally batted NZ out of the game.

If the absolute worst comes to the worst and Anderson can't bowl, then will we see KP and who knows, maybe even Ian Bell filling in some overs? He has got the feather of Mohammed Yousuf's wicket in his cap afterall ;-)