Bowling ends

Were England's frontline bowlers operating from the wrong ends? Logically, James Anderson, below, would find more away movement from the Nursery End, with the slope running right to left to add to any outswing. Ditto Ryan Sidebottom shaping the ball into the right-hander from the Pavilion End.

But Anderson said that all of his success at Lord's has been from the Pavilion End, adding that the ball can do too much to take the edge from the opposite end. Sidebottom bowled one unhappy over from the Pavilion End on Thursday before reverting. Right or wrong, they were happy, Sidebottom especially so yesterday.

Chris Martin

It is well known that bowlers earn wickets for their partner at the other end. Martin does the same - with the bat. As soon as he went in as the last man, Daniel Vettori had to change his method from dogged resistance to attack, knowing that the end would soon be nigh for the hapless Martin.

Vettori immediately took 12 runs in an over from James Anderson, including two premeditated cuts to the third-man boundary. He was then bowled by Ryan Sidebottom, rooted to the crease as though he lost sight of the ball. Maybe, though, he was caught between attacking and defensive mindsets and could not decide in time.

Martin has played 57 Test innings. His most frequent scores are 0 (21 times), and 0 not out (14). On Wednesday he optimistically stroked the statue of W.G. Grace in Coronation Gardens behind the Pavilion in the hope that something could rub off. There is still time.

Fielder for Cook

When Kyle Mills bowled to Alastair Cook, New Zealand posted Daniel Flynn as a catcher at cover point; he did not walk in as Mills approached. They saw plenty of Cook in both formats during the winter to know his game, but if this unusual position was intended to sow a seed of doubt - that he drives uppishly square in front of the wicket - then the plan did not work.