England's Summer of Cricket 2022 as Joe Root Steps Down

First topic message reminder :

Joe Root has decided to step down from the captaincy. Main problem now is - who should take over?

Stokes is the only one really in contention. But should he be lumbered with the captaincy? His workload is immense as it is. But if he doesn't take the job, then who?

Let's hope Root's stepping down doesn't effect his batting! Captaincy cares hardly showed in his stats over the last few months.

Bresnan also had a batting average of around 35-40 for a little while, that could be useful!

It appears to have settled down again. Might see Parkinson soon.

No it hasn't settled. Big wicket to get Conway.

Ha ! I'm claiming that

Successful jinx does for Conway...56/4. Broad has his first ...

Edit : OK , Duty , you can claim your share of the hex

Broad went past the outside edge a few times, so of course the wicket comes with a strangle down the legside. Conway gone

JDizzle wrote:Oh great, KP on commentary. What a way to ruin a delicately poised Test match.

He never stops talking - let their be silence Kevin!

Duty281 wrote:Bresnan also had a batting average of around 35-40 for a little while, that could be useful!

It appears to have settled down again. Might see Parkinson soon.

No it hasn't settled. Big wicket to get Conway.

Ha definitely only as bowler re: comparison between Potts/Bresnan

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

JDizzle wrote:Oh great, KP on commentary. What a way to ruin a delicately poised Test match.

He never stops talking - let their be silence Kevin!

KP is from The Shane Warne School of Commentary. Just can't help himself - whether he has anything to say or not. Warne had more actual useful insights though ...I think I'd swap Pietersen out for almost anyone. Even Ravi Shastri...

Mitchell on the attack now. Clearly decided it is time to put the pressure back on England...might be a good move...so this could be a very significant passage of play. And a real test for Parkinson as he takes the ball...

103/4 ...this stand has moved the game a good way in NZ's favour. Really does seem the crucial session here and England need to find some magic...

Parkinson has started quite well I think , no rubbish served up , doesn't look overawed. But with the lead at 94 you'd think a wicket or two has to come soon or it might be too late.

Parkinson serving up quite a few poor balls now, he's currently no threat on this.

Excellent partnership from two outside NZ's top four to put their side in control. Might see the first half-century of this test in the third session of day two!

England haven't been anywhere near as threatening once the ball softened and it is looking good to bat on.

So tea at 128/4. Mitchell and Blundell have played really well and it may be that this will prove the decisive session of the match.
They aren't out of sight yet ; but I reckon England need to "win" this next session or the game could run away from them quite quickly.

Won't be easy : batting conditions definitely better now ; bowlers have all done a bit of work already and a new ball is a long way off. Parkinson has been OK but he is maybe a bit too slow through the air to really threaten at this level on a decent batting surface ?

Goodness, the first fifty of the test.

England for the first time looking a little tired and idea-less. Time for Stokes and/or Root? NZ cruising to a 250+ lead as things stand, though that low bounce is becoming more common. I wouldn't back England to chase 250, good wicket or not.

Yeah 250 lead would see NZ very much in the box seats. Fifty for each of them now - this has been an excellent partnership

This is where England are missing a real point of difference : no left armer , no express pace - and with due respect to Parkinson he's feeling his way at this level. Suppose a wicket might change things : but not sure where it's coming from...

England getting desperate now...Stokes brings himself back for a bit of Let's Try and Bounce 'em Out...

Lead pushing 150 so NZ are starting to look massive favourites.

Though the plan nearly worked then as that attempted pull just clears Broad at mid on . I don't mind a bit of this as long as they don't go overboard : at least it's better than just plugging away hoping for a run out or something. Anderson bowling orthodox stuff at the other end so different challenges for the bats.

Lead now 177 and no signs of anything really happening for the bowlers. NZ looking nailed on to bat out the day and indeed into tomorrow - so they could end up leading by something like 300. Remarkable position to be in after being 45/7 shortly after lunch yesterday ! Hats off to these two bats.

Think I'll give this another twenty minutes but sleep is starting to look an attractive option...

I'd wondered for a while if the use "hey let's use Ben Stokes as Neil Wagner plan" had been something Stokes liked doing himself or was asked to do by others. Early signs would be he rates the tactic himself. I'm just not sure Stokes is consistently as quick as he once was for it. There's also the significant worry of him breaking himself of course.

Another Test with the game on the line, another toothless third innings by ole Jimbo. I can't be the only that sees this pattern. Surely

Yep, this should be the match-winning partnership. One of England's other faults is they can't choke the run-rate when they get in situations like this, they love to bang it in short instead but that leads to plenty of runs. No trust in Parkinson, it seems, after that first spell.

179 the lead, still 19 overs away from the new ball. Kiwis should be looking to push this beyond 300 from here - these two plus CdG, then Southee and Jamieson can give it some tap.

Will be difficult to drop Mitchell now when Nicholls comes back. Conway up to open and Young dropped instead?

kingraf wrote:Another Test with the game on the line, another toothless third innings by ole Jimbo. I can't be the only that sees this pattern. Surely

You're not, it's been widely commented on and talked about.

Duty281 wrote:

kingraf wrote:Another Test with the game on the line, another toothless third innings by ole Jimbo. I can't be the only that sees this pattern. Surely

You're not, it's been widely commented on and talked about.

I didn't think it needed clarification, but I clearly meant on this site. Every time I bring it up despite the mounting average, it's always dismissed like I've got some sort of vendetta against him... including by you

On to the game, you'd think England would feel comfortable chasing anything short of 250. The expected Wickets for yesterday was 6 the whole day, so obviously it was one of those freak days where every body edges it behind. Ignoring England's innings batting today, which started from 7 down, NZ are 200/4, which suggests a rather typical second day wicket. So there's no reason to not believe the deck won't behave like a third day deck tomorrow. The challenge will be that I think 200 generally trends to be the point where people need to put their hands up and play defining knocks, while 250 generally needs a ton, or two 70-80 run knocks.

Interestingly, the average third innings score at Lord's is 257, so maybe a chase of 250 won't need to be as special as you'd think.

kingraf wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

kingraf wrote:Another Test with the game on the line, another toothless third innings by ole Jimbo. I can't be the only that sees this pattern. Surely

You're not, it's been widely commented on and talked about.

I didn't think it needed clarification, but I clearly meant on this site. Every time I bring it up despite the mounting average, it's always dismissed like I've got some sort of vendetta against him... including by you

I also meant on this site.

kingraf wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

kingraf wrote:Another Test with the game on the line, another toothless third innings by ole Jimbo. I can't be the only that sees this pattern. Surely

You're not, it's been widely commented on and talked about.

I didn't think it needed clarification, but I clearly meant on this site. Every time I bring it up despite the mounting average, it's always dismissed like I've got some sort of vendetta against him... including by you

It was brought up only yesterday like it has been constantly fot two years now.

Well that's the test. 108/0 in that session and a lead of 227 with six wickets left. Nothing spectacular from Mitchell and Blundell, just solid test match batting on a good wicket v an old ball. Punish the bad balls, defend or leave the good ones, job's a good'un.

England's attack one-paced, due to circumstance, and ineffectual past the new ball stage. Only hope tomorrow is England remove the last six for fifty or fewer runs with the new ball, but even then the chase looks too steep for this English batting line-up, bar Root doing something special. Parkinson with a very poor debut. Broad hasn't had the best test either.

An ever-present threat of rain exists for the weekend, particularly on Sunday, but the draw looks a remote prospect.

Hello all,
Good to get back to some test cricket. Couldn't catch much of the action on an an action-packed day yesterday. But New Zealand turning it around nicely. The ball, when it goes soft, hasn't been doing anything. And New Zealand aren't playing Wagner who makes things happen when nothing happens. So if the openers and His Holiness can do a decent job up front, England should very well be in it.
In that regard, I am not too sure Mitchell and Blundell, otherwise absolutely excellent, read the situation all that well towards the end of the day. The new ball might still do things and New Zealand might end up losing a few rather quickly tomorrow. Could have had another 20 more on the board by stumps today...
I also remember a few HQ tests that have shown similar trends of first innings collapses followed by absolute hopelessness for bowlers on a road. Didn't Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie batted a month or so after a pair of first innings collapses in 2008 or something against a bowling lineup that included the likes of Fred Flintoff?

Think that's right msp on the 2008 Test, other than it being two collapses, I think England made a huge total then SA first innings was shocking. Also 2006 against a pretty poor Sri Lanka, their tail batted for a long time to gain a draw, I think that one was at Lord's as well

A frustrating day to watch.

Seam bowling at Test level has changed massively in the last 5 years with lengths getting fuller and more seam reliance rather than swing seeing the ball moving throughout the innings. Seamers as a whole have developed an ability to bowl more attacking lengths but avoid getting hit by varying their delivery point on the crease cleverly and utilising that all important wobble seam.

After their first spells with the new ball it feels England's bowlers try to sink into one extreme or the other though. They either "bowl dry and wait for the mistake" usually going shorter and offering very little threat - it feels like a Flower and Strauss era throwback. Or they go hyper aggressive like Stokes today and leak runs.

If we don't run through sides with the new ball the attack often looks toothless and increasingly so as the Test goes on and bowlers tire.

Looks as if day two turned out to be "moving day" this time : that excellent partnership has put NZ in a (nearly) impregnable position. Pitch has obviously completely flattened out - hardly unusual for a second day - and Mitchell and Blundell have taken full advantage. Which also probably reinforces the generally sensible choice of toss winners to bat first : even if you get out cheaply first time around , as long as you don't concede too big a lead you get a second chance ...

Lead could end up anything now - 350 or more - unless the new ball brings a quick collapse. And of course even then England would have a couple of days on a mostly easy surface to chase it ; but I reckon scoreboard pressure and their own lack of confidence would make a re-run of Headingly 2019 rather unlikely.

Didn't think England bowled poorly. Got the early wickets and perhaps just one more might have changed everything ; but sometimes you have to give a bit of credit to the opponents. Sensible , careful but positive , batting from two players who are not household names but know what they are doing and don't seem to be prone to panic...unlike some of the predictable hysteria I read on BBC comments this morning

I hope England are able to restore a bit of confidence by limiting the lead and batting with some composure tomorrow , even if I think their winning chance is miniscule now. But , as McCullum and Stokes had warned anyone who was listening in advance , it was unlikely everything would change overnight. I was encouraged by a significant lift to the fielding (which remained good even yesterday) so can give the new team leaders a bit more time to improve the batting.
As for the bowling I'm not sure they can do much more for now given the number of alternatives on sick leave at present ! At least Potts looks like a bit of a prospect ; although first sight of Parkinson has been a little underwhelming : he wasn't rubbish ; but didn't look very threatening either - albeit on an unhelpful pitch. I didn't expect a Warne , despite the enthusiasm I was hearing about his selection ; but fear I am sensing Ian Salisbury vibes about him ... hope I am proved wrong.

At least the paying public is assured of at least three days cricket now

alfie wrote:Looks as if day two turned out to be "moving day" this time :
...

Love it.

kingraf wrote:On to the game, you'd think England would feel comfortable chasing anything short of 250. The expected Wickets for yesterday was 6 the whole day, so obviously it was one of those freak days where every body edges it behind. Ignoring England's innings batting today, which started from 7 down, NZ are 200/4, which suggests a rather typical second day wicket. So there's no reason to not believe the deck won't behave like a third day deck tomorrow. The challenge will be that I think 200 generally trends to be the point where people need to put their hands up and play defining knocks, while 250 generally needs a ton, or two 70-80 run knocks.

Interestingly, the average third innings score at Lord's is 257, so maybe a chase of 250 won't need to be as special as you'd think.  

I like that you think England can make anywhere near 200.

They will be 160 all out or thereabouts. The batting has been so bad for so long now that even a decent pitch won't save them. They might get off to a good start and get our hopes up, but the loss of 1 or 2 wickets will see an unstoppable collapse.

I predict NZ will win by 150 or so runs.

As the news reports have been saying, it will take McCullum time to turn it around. The players' technique and mindset are such a mess, it could take a couple of series to see a significant improvement.

I'm not really sure the pitch has flattened out, it's just the old ball won't do much on this surface and the new ball will. Which should be a lesson to England if they can apply themselves to their task.

I don't, and haven't, expect much from McCullum either. There's only so much you can do with a limited deck of cards. England's slide in test cricket, to the level where Bangladesh/Sri Lanka/Zimbabwe/Ireland/Afghanistan are worthy adversaries and beating Australia/NZ/India is a fantastic dream, looks inevitable. Unless some of these new batsmen coming through, the likes of Compton, Yates and Bohannon, take test cricket in their stride and score highly, but I simply have no faith in anyone because no new English batsman since Root in 2012 has looked the business at test level over a decent interval of time.

We'll see what a demoralised England can do this morning. If they can keep the Kiwi lead below 300, that will be an achievement in itself. But I reckon it'll be closer to 400.

Hundred for Mitchell immediately Well played indeed.

Unsurprisingly , the new ball is taken . England probably have an hour to get back in the game at all ; or they might be chasing something ridiculous ...
These two are so well set , it might take something remarkable to shift them.

Very good innings from Mitchell, he's now exceeded his previous test best score. Only in the side due to Nicholls' injury, but he's stepped up like Labuschagne did after Smith got concussed.

And now he's gone. Opening for England.

One gone anyway ! Nice bit of bowling by Broad induces the edge and ends a splendid innings by Mitchell ... But at 251/5 he's set his team up nicely.

CDG might play some shots in this situation. Still some handy batting to come.

It's all happening all of a sudden!

Wow, that's a freak dismissal. CdG dozing off. But brilliant awareness by Pope.

Reminds me of Geraint Jones' final dismissal in test cricket.

Utter madness.

Blimey ! Instant run out ...six down !

Nearly lbw : and Pope's quick reaction catches him out...

And Jamieson bowled first ball

251/7 What's going on ?

What an over ! NZ still in a good spot ; but the game is alive - at least for now.

alfie wrote:Blimey !  Instant run out ...six down !

Nearly lbw : and Pope's quick reaction catches him out...

And Jamieson bowled first ball

251/7 What's going on ?

Probably a good job that Broad isn't skipper! If he had instantly reviewed for the lbw before Pope threw down the stumps, I believe it would then have been a dead ball.

No century for Blundell though...that is as stone dead an lbw as I've ever seen.

Don't blame him for trying the review though : deserved a hundred and not much point leaving referrals for the rabbits. End of a fine innings...and well bowled Jimmy.

Just goes to show the actual damage the new ball can do, but NZ's collapse was hastened by CdG's run-out.

Now get the last two quickly.

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:Blimey !  Instant run out ...six down !

Nearly lbw : and Pope's quick reaction catches him out...

And Jamieson bowled first ball

251/7 What's going on ?

Probably a good job that Broad isn't skipper!    If he had instantly reviewed for the lbw before Pope threw down the stumps, I believe it would then have been a dead ball.

Good point ! Though the Pope throw was so quick even SB would have been flat out getting his signal in.

That was a top piece of fielding. The one thing that has very clearly improved in this England side already.

Now how's Stokes going to handle this situation : this is where Root always went wrong...Southee won't hold back.

Interesting : the young leggie comes on to attack the tail...

Genius or folly ?

Potts wastes no time in getting Patel in a replay of the first innings...

Nine down.

And Parkinson gets the tenth

277 to get. Probably beyond them ; but at least they have given themselves some sort of a chance with that spirited comeback. Whatever the eventual result , I'm prepared to say we've seen some positives in this match.

Mitchell and Blundell 195/1. Rest of NZ : 222/19.

Good fightback from England. NZ's innings didn't recover from CdG's run-out.

277 should be more than possible on this, but the Kiwi seamers are too good and England's batsmen (mainly) are not good enough for that to happen. England's hopes rely on Root getting a big ton, maybe Bairstow, as I can't see any other England batsman playing a match-winning knock.

About 75 overs left in the day means this could be over today.

Just to underline the size of the task : after three completed innings , only seven players have managed to pass twenty in the game. In fact only 14 instances of double figures out of the thirty three possibilities...

Much prefer Mark Taylor on Comms to KP. Often makes sensible and insightful points. And doesn't blather on all the time...

Ah, England really needed to get to lunch unscathed and give NZ a bit of concern over the interval.

Poor leave from Lees, after some fluent shots as well. Disappointing.

Oh dear ... Lees spoils what had been easily his best start in his short Test career with a bizarre leave to Jamieson...

Ball tailed in a bit ; but it really looked as if he just didn't know where his off stump was.

Is that every innings he's played ended in bowled or lbw ?

Atherton and Taylor talking positively for England about ''only'' losing one wicket. I think NZ would have settled for that at lunch.