England's Summer of Cricket 2021

by Duty281 Fri 14 May 2021, 9:39 pm

First topic message reminder :

2nd June-14th June: Two tests v New Zealand

23rd June-26th June: Three T20s v Sri Lanka
29th June-4th July: Three ODIs v Sri Lanka

8th July-13th July: Three ODIs v Pakistan
16th July-20th July: Three T20s V Pakistan

4th August-14th September: Five Tests v India

by king_carlos Tue 01 Jun 2021, 11:08 pm

Conway's got a fantastic domestic record. I can only think they might be skeptical of Blundell's technique in English conditions looking towards the WTC final though as Blundell hasn't done anything wrong to get dropped in a short Test career thus far. It would be a surprise but the NZ batting is possibly better now than it ever has been for them.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 8:05 am

king_carlos wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Looks like being good and warm weather for this week's test at Lord's.

Jimmy Anderson, presuming he plays, will level Cook's record of 161 test caps, an astonishing achievement of longevity for a fast bowler who was plagued by injury in his early career. Anderson also needs to play a total of nine more tests to have made the second highest number of appearances in the history of test cricket. And, one more longevity record, Anderson is only 8 wickets away from 1,000 first-class wickets. I think he'll be the first Englishman to reach that milestone since Andy Caddick.

I think I discussed this with Guildford a while back. Anderson will be the first Englishman since Caddick and potentially the last.

Broad is the only other obvious candidate on 830 FC wickets, so that will depend on how long Jimmy's opening partner keeps going. If he can have another 3 fully fit and successful seasons taking 20ish wickets with Notts at the start of the summer and bowling very well with England than he might just get there.

The last to reach 1000 FC wickets I believe was Sri Lankan 1 Test wonder Dinuka Hettiarachchi, with the brilliant Rangana Herath reaching the milestone shortly before him.

Dominic Cork of course got extremely close to reaching the milestone shortly after Caddick but fell just short at 989 wickets.

Looking at current CC players as examples then Tim Murtagh has 867 FC wicekts but will reach 40-years-old this season and is being rotated by Middlesex more these days. Chris Rushworth has 547 FC wickets at 34-years-old, not many will be more consistently successful than Rushworth. Ben Coad who is in the similar bracket of remarkably consistent English seamer that Rushworth lives in has 172 FC wickets at 27-years-old.

Simon Harmer has 680 FC wickets. If he were to play on to around 40 might get to around that 1000 FC wicket mark. It's still a long way off though, even so it shows the template I think any bowler would need to reach 1000 bowling in the CC now. It would need to be a spinner, at a County that is building their bowling and pitches around a spinner that will consistently out bowl the opposition spinners to the extent that preparing turning pitches isn't as much of a gamble with the toss.

I think we will see very few bowlers from now on reach that milestone.

You must be overlooking Darren Stevens : only needs another 430 so should be there by the time he turns 55 Smile

by Soul Requiem Wed 02 Jun 2021, 8:06 am

Three hours til the start of the play, will be listening rather than watching todays play but looking forward to hearing the hum of an actual crowd.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 8:26 am

Duty281 wrote:I think we are expecting that top seven and, judging by the rumours circulating, Anderson and Broad will start. The remaining two spots are up for grabs.

I'd be concerned if England go in with no frontline spinner. It's going to be hot through the five days, so spells from the quicks will probably be shortened, and it'll likely be a pretty flat wicket as Lord's often is, so I'd like England to play a spinner if only for a measure of control and balance.

As Broad is vice captain I guess he's a lock. And they won't leave Jimmy out unless they're nuts so it only remains to decide whether to pick a quick or a spinner. And , I suppose , whether it is Robinson or Overton at eight. Can't see them risking a five man attack - though I suppose if you were desperate to include Leach you could bat Bracey at six (leave out Lawrence) , both Robinson and Overton at 7/8..... Not too likely , I think.

I do agree (for once) with Michael Vaughan that they should make winning this match the priority rather than any thoughts of "preparing for The Ashes" . Respect NZ is the word : they aren't top rated by accident. And they have a full side , bar Boult - while England without Stokes is always well short of their usual rating. Despite the home advantage I think England are far from being favourites in this series. Last year they won home series against two of the weaker teams - and not without a real struggle at times ; but the two top teams are surely going to be a huge step up from WI and Pakistan as opponents. Not writing England off , as I think they can improve. But I do think they will need to.

Glad to hear the weather is set fair. Not much to do here as Melbourne is back under house arrest so looking forward to sitting up for some action...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 02 Jun 2021, 8:53 am

I could end up with massive egg on my face, as undoubtedly this NZ side is better than previous iterations, and England are missing some key players, but as pointed out on the Cricviz series preview podcast...since 2000 NZ have played 35 tests away vs Aus/Ind/Eng and won only two of them.

If they're winning this series, and the WTC final they're going to need to at least equal their tally of wins in those countries for the past two decades.

They're a very unproven outfit away from home.

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:05 am

I'd be wary of making any proper prediction. I think it's a 50-50 matchup. New Zealand have the stronger team on paper, but this is offset by England's home advantage, and the Kiwis have lost 9 of their 13 tests away from home.

That said I'm not sure how much home advantage will count. It's baking hot, expecting a good batting wicket, so not exactly the most English of conditions out there.

Cricinfo seem to think England will be going all-seam, I'm very wary of such a move. Root's apparently 'gained confidence' as a bowler from that time he did a Murali on a sub-standard wicket.

Looking forward to how 6 foot 8 Jamieson does outside his home country. Six tests, six wins, 36 wickets and a bowling average of 13 for him so far, a very exciting talent.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:21 am

Robinson and Bracey given their caps, both playing (pretty much as expected)

Just whether they play Wood/Stone or Leach now - expecting Wood

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:37 am

Oh dear, Kiwis win the toss and bat. I think it qualifies as a very good toss to win!

England: 1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Zak Crawley, 4 Joe Root (captain), 5 Ollie Pope, 6 Dan Lawrence, 7 James Bracey (wk), 8 Ollie Robinson, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James Anderson

New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson (captain), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Neil Wagner

Surprised there's no Mitchell for the Kiwis, de Grandhomme favoured instead. All-seam for England, feels a bit like Pep not playing Fernandinho.

by Soul Requiem Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:41 am

Lords isn't a ground known for extravagant swing movement anyway, the slope is the major factor and a dry hard pitch brings LBW into play.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:42 am

No big surprises there. England as expected , NZ decided they want the spin option ...so will be glad to have won the toss.

Agree this is probably a 50/50 situation. Doesn't really change much with the toss as Lord's hasn't exactly spun like a top on days 4/5 lately.

Nice and sunny

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:46 am

Still got home nation umpires - Gough and Kettleborough for this one - so I presume it remains 3 DRS reviews per team.

by Soul Requiem Wed 02 Jun 2021, 10:53 am

Aside from the pleasure of watching Williamson, Taylor, Boult and co play, there's the added bonus of Jeremy Coney on TMS.

by guildfordbat Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:00 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Robinson and Bracey given their caps, both playing (pretty much as expected)

Just whether they play Wood/Stone or Leach now - expecting Wood

Yep, Wood plays. As part of a 4 man seam attack with no out and out spinner, perfect opportunity to prove the doubters about his fitness wrong. Don't dare think about what happens if he proves them right ....

by KP_fan Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:06 am

Good to see a Top class test match start
Eng leaving out a specialist spinner is a mistake esp on a pitch where either side would win the toss and bat first

And they still stick with Ollie Pope of feet stuck to crease repute....and not even using him as a WK nor Butler nor Foakes nor another one who plays internationals and pull out a totally new WK

and 4 man attack including debutant Ollie
is he a genuine bowler and what's his speed? or a bit and pieces type all rounder

Eng's Bowling looks Fragile...with both old bones the two main bowler and the express but prone to breaking down quickie the 3rd.
If I was an Eng fan I would keep fingers crossed they go thru the match without the top 3 breaking down

NZ look more balanced , have won the toss have a spinner to exploit 4th inning pitch and my Money on them

by JDizzle Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:07 am

Soul Requiem wrote:Aside from the pleasure of watching Williamson, Taylor, Boult and co play, there's the added bonus of Jeremy Coney on TMS.

NZ always provide the best ‘guest’ commentary in my book. Although an honourable mention to Sri Lanka with Sanga and Jayawardene a huge upgrade on Russell Arnold.

by JDizzle Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:10 am

KP_fan wrote:Good to see a Top class test match start
Eng leaving out a specialist spinner is a mistake esp on a pitch where either side would win the toss and bat first

And they still stick with Ollie Pope of feet stuck to crease repute....and not even using him as a WK nor Butler nor Foakes nor another one who plays internationals and pull out a totally new WK

and 4 man attack including debutant Ollie
is he a genuine bowler and what's his speed? or a bit and pieces type all rounder

Eng's Bowling looks Fragile...with both old bones the two main bowler and the express but prone to breaking down quickie the 3rd.
If I was an Eng fan I would keep fingers crossed they go thru the match without the top 3 breaking down

NZ look more balanced , have won the toss have a spinner to exploit 4th inning pitch and my Money on them

Robinson should be bowling mid 80s in full rhythm. Tall and seams it, but has taught himself to swing the ball too. Adept with the old ball as well as the new ball. Exceptional domestic record.

He can bat and has a FC hundred, but he is a spot too high really - more a 9 at Test level but all depends how he plays quick bowling, which is tough to know from county level.

I have been calling for him to get a go since last summer so excited to see how he goes!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:16 am

Pretty surprised by the NZ lineup - Santner and De Grandhomme feels a bit too wanting to extend the batting lineup to me...and neither is a particularly good bowler.

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:22 am

Feels like it'll be a long day for England in the field. NZ will want minimum 400 on this. It'll likely remain a good batting wicket throughout, but England will be the ones under the pressure of chasing a score.

Echo concerns about England's potentially fragile bowling. Wood and Anderson have suffered injuries in the past couple of years, and Broad is 35. Root will be getting through at least 10 overs today, presuming Kiwis bat the day.

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:26 am

That forward push from Conway was pure Damien Martyn.

by KP_fan Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:27 am

JDizzle wrote:
KP_fan wrote:Good to see a Top class test match start
Eng leaving out a specialist spinner is a mistake esp on a pitch where either side would win the toss and bat first

And they still stick with Ollie Pope of feet stuck to crease repute....and not even using him as a WK nor Butler nor Foakes nor another one who plays internationals and pull out a totally new WK

and 4 man attack including debutant Ollie
is he a genuine bowler and what's his speed? or a bit and pieces type all rounder

Eng's Bowling looks Fragile...with both old bones the two main bowler and the express but prone to breaking down quickie the 3rd.
If I was an Eng fan I would keep fingers crossed they go thru the match without the top 3 breaking down

NZ look more balanced , have won the toss have a spinner to exploit 4th inning pitch and my Money on them

Robinson should be bowling mid 80s in full rhythm. Tall and seams it, but has taught himself to swing the ball too. Adept with the old ball as well as the new ball. Exceptional domestic record.

He can bat and has a FC hundred, but he is a spot too high really - more a 9 at Test level but all depends how he plays quick bowling, which is tough to know from county level.

I have been calling for him to get a go since last summer so excited to see how he goes!

I look forward to watching him bowl
I am always excited at the prospect of a new bowling all-rounder on the blocks

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:32 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Pretty surprised by the NZ lineup - Santner and De Grandhomme feels a bit too wanting to extend the batting lineup to me...and neither is a particularly good bowler.

Guess they wanted a spinner , not having a Root type option. De Grandhomme is a decent sort of late order bat and fourth seamer : they have plenty of aggression in Jamieson and Wagner. I don't think it's a bad selection.

In truth they look better balanced than England.
They'll miss Boult though. Will want to make the most of winning the toss on what looks like a good pitch.

by guildfordbat Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:34 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Pretty surprised by the NZ lineup - Santner and De Grandhomme feels a bit too wanting to extend the batting lineup to me...and neither is a particularly good bowler.

When I was in Auckland in 2018, I spent one evening in the company of some delightful and very knowledgeable cricket folk. Their unanimous view was that Santner was a long way from being a great player but that he was a ''real team man'' who brought great balance to the side.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:43 am

Tidy enough from batsmen and bowlers so far. 30/0 a good start for NZ.

Robinson time now ...

by KP_fan Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:50 am

Ollie
tall, easy high arm action , going at 80-81mph predominantly incutter like actions
if he can bat, probably good 4th seamer
A bit more effort and /or Leap would given him an added half yard of pace

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 02 Jun 2021, 11:50 am

alfie wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Pretty surprised by the NZ lineup - Santner and De Grandhomme feels a bit too wanting to extend the batting lineup to me...and neither is a particularly good bowler.

Guess they wanted a spinner , not having a Root type option. De Grandhomme is a decent sort of late order bat and fourth seamer : they have plenty of aggression in Jamieson and Wagner. I don't think it's a bad selection.

In truth they look better balanced than England.
They'll miss Boult though. Will want to make the most of winning the toss on what looks like a good pitch.

I could argue, with his test bowling average being higher than Root's, Santner is a Root type option Whistle

I'm pretty surprised he's playing. Not a test class bowler in any sense to me (watch England make him look like Herath in Galle in a day or two!)

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:05 pm

Perfect start for the Kiwis, ticking along at a good rate, too. Bit of fortune in that they've had a few near misses, but for the most part in control. Conway looks an excellent talent on early evidence.

Some early swing for England, but that'll largely disappear around now. Broad's been the best bowler, finding some excellent movement when he drops to a good length, but no joy as yet.

Table seems well set for Williamson/Taylor/Nicholls/.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:08 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
alfie wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Pretty surprised by the NZ lineup - Santner and De Grandhomme feels a bit too wanting to extend the batting lineup to me...and neither is a particularly good bowler.

Guess they wanted a spinner , not having a Root type option. De Grandhomme is a decent sort of late order bat and fourth seamer : they have plenty of aggression in Jamieson and Wagner. I don't think it's a bad selection.

In truth they look better balanced than England.
They'll miss Boult though. Will want to make the most of winning the toss on what looks like a good pitch.

I could argue, with his test bowling average being higher than Root's, Santner is a Root type option

I'm pretty surprised he's playing. Not a test class bowler in any sense to me (watch England make him look like Herath in Galle in a day or two!)

I guess it's a case of you pick whoever you have available. Spin options not big in NZ recently. Not a lot of point in picking five seamers anyway , surely ?

Good first hour for NZ. Already looks as if England might regret not having a frontline spinner just for the sake of variety...imagine Root will need to bowl a bit later to ensure he doesn't end up copping an over rate sanction...

by Soul Requiem Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:15 pm

Williamson is probably a better test bowler than Santner so seems like a waste of a place to me.

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:16 pm

This looks an absolute road to me. Early feelings are that leaving Leach out might be a mistake but at the same time they will need Wood's pace on a flat deck and I was desperate to see Robinson play. Without Stokes, Woakes, Surran and Archer the balance of the bowling was always going to be less than ideal.

There's also the argument with Leach that whilst he can be excellent on turning decks and in the second innings, he isn't really a spinner that excels at keep it tight on a flat deck.

Conway seems a horses for courses selection against the Dukes and thus far he looks a very assured one.

England just need one to get that chink of light before lunch.

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:19 pm

Yes!!

Ollie Robinson gets his first and it's a good one as Latham was looking rock solid.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:20 pm

Well that came out of the blue ! Robinson has his first Test Wicket ...a very welcome break for England. Latham edging on so its 58/1 and Williamson in...and Wood introduced at last...

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:21 pm

Just as I was starting to think Robinson was looking a little gentle and ineffectual, he provides the breakthrough. Sorely needed after around 80 minutes of play.

High-quality follow-up over from Robinson to Williamson, not quite finding the edge.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:33 pm

Wicket has given Robinson a nice boost : he bowled really well to Williamson that over. Looked more dangerous than he did to the two left handers...

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:36 pm

Wood has just bowled the fastest opening over of a spell recorded by an England bowler. Despite the injuries and being into his thirties he just keeps getting faster.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:41 pm

Robinson gives me mega Josh Hazlewood vibes

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 12:43 pm

Conway's technique looks non-existent against the short ball.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:01 pm

Pretty solid effort from Conway. Wood has unsettled him a bit with his pace - he has been decidedly rapid today - but he's seen NZ to 85/1 and they'll be headed to lunch feeling quite cheerful unless something happens these last few balls...

Slow over rate. Deja vu all over again Smile

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:01 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Robinson gives me mega Josh Hazlewood vibes

More Angus Fraser for me but I do see the Hazlewood similarities in the delivery stride.

Hazlewood has that bit more pace that allows him to push through a sharp short ball when he wants/needs to though.

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:04 pm

85/1 at lunch.

Definitely NZ's session but that one breakthrough means it wasn't one way traffic.

I think I'd start with Anderson and Robinson after the break.

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:06 pm

Very good session for New Zealand, near-perfect. Conway looked in complete control until Wood rocked him with a few, Williamson his usual imperious, watchful best. Some excellent running between the wicket boosted their total that little bit more.

England have always been in the game, just not on top at any point. Broad and Robinson the best bowlers, Wood a little errant and Anderson a little too full.

If the Kiwis get through the opening thirty minutes of the afternoon with no loss, England will be firmly on the back foot.

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:43 pm

Anderson gets his bunny...

Good start after lunch thumbsup

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:44 pm

Huge breakthrough as Williamson chops on fourth ball after lunch.

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:52 pm

Get in Jimmy. Williamson gone just after the break is a huge boost.

On a different note, how has Root not got any demerit points for England's over rates recently? They are diabolical in that regard!

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:57 pm

England will be very glad to see the back of Williamson early...true his record in England is a bit ordinary ; but he's a class player and you wouldn't want him settling in on a good pitch like this.

Broad the other end : I'd have been tempted to have a couple of overs of Wood but as Atherton points out Broad has a great record against Taylor so fair enough. If he can get him soonish they'll feel they're on top here.

Root might need to juggle his bowlers a bit (and probably bowl a bit himself) to avoid the sameness of three right arm 85 men...

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 1:59 pm

Good call by Bracey to discourage a review on that one thumbsup

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 2:02 pm

Sensational over from Broad, somehow not finding the edge or off-stump. Taylor looking entirely lost early on, no footwork whatsoever.

by king_carlos Wed 02 Jun 2021, 2:03 pm

Broad has the ball signing now. Some swinging and some nipping off the seam. Brilliant stuff.

by Duty281 Wed 02 Jun 2021, 2:31 pm

Fifty for Conway. clap

A very good innings so far, quite easy on the eye. Handled Anderson/Broad/Robinson with aplomb. Heard his FC average is something in the region of 70-75 since the start of 2016, so I'm somewhat surprised he hasn't been called up quicker.

Equally surprised Taylor's still hanging around!

by alfie Wed 02 Jun 2021, 2:33 pm

Been a bit of a struggle for NZ since lunch...

But Conway picked that one up nicely and drives himself to a debut fifty clap

110/2. If these two can take the sting out of the bowling you'd fancy there might be some runs for the batsmen later in the day : England really need to nip another one out quickly or they'll be in for a lot of toil.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 02 Jun 2021, 2:33 pm

Yeah not sure how Taylor has made it through his opening 30 balls...been all at sea

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