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

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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.

Wow. Game keeps on giving...

I turned in at tea thinking I'd likely wake up to 200/4 or so and a likely drawn game for all the attacking instincts on both sides ; but the Bracewell cameo and the late wickets have moved things on a bit. Not necessarily to a result , mind ; as NZ will presumably be anxious to push their lead up near 300 - which might take a while. Would England try to chase 300 in 65 overs ? Would they keep trying if they lost a few early wickets ? Maybe , under this leadership group.

Of course NZ could lose the last three quickly and leave the sort of target that almost ensures success for the chasing team unless they get bowled out. Not betting on that though as Mitchell seems intent on topping the batting records for the series however much competition he's getting from Root - doubt he will sell his wicket easily.

Big danger for England is that they are pretty much six out all out with that tail. A few falling quickly , whether through over-attacking play or just happenstance , might leave them unable to resist the Kiwi bowlers late in the day.

Could go either way. Not going to be an early night for me I suspect ... weather set fair I hear ?

Have seen and heard some comments praising Stokes for keeping good attacking field placings which contributed to some wickets : have only seen highlights of last session so can't comment but it sounds as if that aspect of his captaincy is as positive as his batting. Good to see.

Twelve wickets in a day after only a total of 15 in three might suggest more for the bowlers in the pitch ; but in fact most of the wickets on both sides seemed to come from brain fades or dozy running. I'd imagine stroke playing will still be comfortable enough , and the main threat will come from the odd ball which (Boult in particular) moves more than expected. Usually the new ball ; but there have been odd patches of play when movement has seemed to increase sharply. So , not a road ; but for a last day run chase about as favourable as could be wished.

Anything over 280 would be testing ground history though , if memory serves.

There may be a little more in the wicket for the bowlers, but really the wickets yesterday were almost all from batting errors. Oddly, other than Bracewell, it didn't even feel like NZ were really looking to be THAT aggressive either, just poor shot choices and execution plus a bit of scrambled brain.

Still looks like a wicket and outfield where 300 is chaseable in 75 overs if a couple of batsmen get in. Of course, England's recent history is of brittleness in this type of situation (with the notable exception of last week). so the game is still very much on.

Yep, weather set fair. Spells of cloud and sunshine throughout the day, but practically no chance of rain.

New Zealand really want to win, so I can't see them poking around too much this morning.

England starting with Leach, that's a surprise.

Got NZ at 5.00. 241 on a nearly 400 over old pitch is going to be a talent. Another half hour of batting is as much as they can afford because I think they're really going to want the new ball, even if only for a handful of overs

''Fascinatingly poised'', as Olly said.

Not sure if it's a proper cricket assessment or just natural pessimism but I do fear our chances of chasing north of 270. We often talk of scoreboard pressure for the second innings but it could kick in here for the fourth.

Anyway, sitting back and going to enjoy watching today whatever it brings ....

Drops still happening I see...

Root has batted like a genius but won't be too happy with his catching. Might be a case for someone else doing the job to the spinner ?

Curious bowling choices to start. Root did drop that, but it came so sharply it was no more than a half-chance.

kingraf wrote:Got NZ at 5.00. 241 on a nearly 400 over old pitch is going to be a talent. Another half hour of batting is as much as they can afford because I think they're really going to want the new ball, even if only for a handful of overs

You think they'd consider giving England something like 83 overs to bat ?! That would mean declaring after five...

Don't see a second new ball for NZ is even a remote possibility whatever they do this morning.

Which doesn't mean your bet is a bad one at all ! Just reckon they'll bat a bit longer than that - if they can.

Anyone know if there's been any explanation given for how little Anderson has bowled this innings?

alfie wrote:

kingraf wrote:Got NZ at 5.00. 241 on a nearly 400 over old pitch is going to be a talent. Another half hour of batting is as much as they can afford because I think they're really going to want the new ball, even if only for a handful of overs

You think they'd consider giving England something like 83 overs to bat ?!  That would mean declaring after five...

Don't see a second new ball for NZ is even a remote possibility whatever they do this morning.

Which doesn't mean your bet is a bad one at all ! Just reckon they'll bat a bit longer than that - if they can.

Agree - unless NZ are quickly bowled out!

kingraf wrote:Got NZ at 5.00. 241 on a nearly 400 over old pitch is going to be a talent. Another half hour of batting is as much as they can afford because I think they're really going to want the new ball, even if only for a handful of overs

FWIW, WinViz had NZ at 20% (5.0) and England at 24% (4.17). I agree NZ are great value at 5.7 and the bookies are at putting a lot of stock into the runs scored so far to have England as heavily favoured as they had them…

guildfordbat wrote:''Fascinatingly poised'', as Olly said.

Not sure if it's a proper cricket assessment or just natural pessimism but I do fear our chances of chasing north of 270. We often talk of scoreboard pressure for the second innings but it could kick in here for the fourth.

Anyway, sitting back and going to enjoy watching today whatever it brings ....

Only been two chases successful here more than 240. So pessimism not unwarranted !

Have been a lot of history making chases in very recent times though.

I see WINVIZ still likes the draw as heavy favourite...

alfie wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:''Fascinatingly poised'', as Olly said.

Not sure if it's a proper cricket assessment or just natural pessimism but I do fear our chances of chasing north of 270. We often talk of scoreboard pressure for the second innings but it could kick in here for the fourth.

Anyway, sitting back and going to enjoy watching today whatever it brings ....

Only been two chases successful here more than 240. So pessimism not unwarranted !

Have been a lot of history making chases in very recent times though.

I see WINVIZ still likes the draw as heavy favourite...

Yep, Alfie - on all points.

What's the average opening partnership between Crawley and Lees? Anyone know? Bet Duty does or can quickly tell me!  Not too many, I'm sure. Anyway, if we lose our first pole for that or less, our position won't look too clever and will be pushing up my pessimism levels!

Batting looks fairly easy at the moment. New ball might change that ...looks as if England are basically just trying to get through to it without giving too much away.

Not sure I like that approach. It's not a easy choice , to be fair : but I think I'd prefer to have seen maybe Potts having a go at the number nine...

Guess if Root had held the catch I might have a different view

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:''Fascinatingly poised'', as Olly said.

Not sure if it's a proper cricket assessment or just natural pessimism but I do fear our chances of chasing north of 270. We often talk of scoreboard pressure for the second innings but it could kick in here for the fourth.

Anyway, sitting back and going to enjoy watching today whatever it brings ....

Only been two chases successful here more than 240. So pessimism not unwarranted !

Have been a lot of history making chases in very recent times though.

I see WINVIZ still likes the draw as heavy favourite...

Yep, Alfie - on all points.

What's the average opening partnership between Crawley and Lees? Anyone know? Bet Duty does or can quickly tell me!  Not too many, I'm sure. Anyway, if we lose our first pole for that or less, our position won't look too clever and will be pushing up my pessimism levels!

25 average opening partnership, but boosted a little by those flat pitches in the West Indies.

This has been an incredibly defensive start from England. Is Root captain again?

Looks as though New Zealand have talked it over and decided they're going to bat a set number of overs. They may have agreed between themselves last night that they'd back themselves to bowl England out in 75 overs, for instance, so they'll look to bat 13 overs this morning. Don't think they'd want to bat anymore than that if they want to win, however.

alfie wrote:

kingraf wrote:Got NZ at 5.00. 241 on a nearly 400 over old pitch is going to be a talent. Another half hour of batting is as much as they can afford because I think they're really going to want the new ball, even if only for a handful of overs

You think they'd consider giving England something like 83 overs to bat ?!  That would mean declaring after five...

Don't see a second new ball for NZ is even a remote possibility whatever they do this morning.

Which doesn't mean your bet is a bad one at all ! Just reckon they'll bat a bit longer than that - if they can.

Down 1-0 in the series, I'd have tried to go run a ball for five overs, and give England 270ish in 83, yes. 270 is dangling the carrot, admittedly, and I think NZ won the last series, so technically they hold the trophy, but I'm not even sure NZ-England has a series name, so I don't know what that's worth.

250+ has only been successfully chased here once, and this is a genuine day Five fourth innings chase. I know NZ are a little undermanned, but I think that was their best go. As is, I think it'll be something like 300 in 70-odd overs, which I think is more reliant on England's infamous inability to shut up shop

Duty281 wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

alfie wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:''Fascinatingly poised'', as Olly said.

Not sure if it's a proper cricket assessment or just natural pessimism but I do fear our chances of chasing north of 270. We often talk of scoreboard pressure for the second innings but it could kick in here for the fourth.

Anyway, sitting back and going to enjoy watching today whatever it brings ....

Only been two chases successful here more than 240. So pessimism not unwarranted !

Have been a lot of history making chases in very recent times though.

I see WINVIZ still likes the draw as heavy favourite...

Yep, Alfie - on all points.

What's the average opening partnership between Crawley and Lees? Anyone know? Bet Duty does or can quickly tell me!  Not too many, I'm sure. Anyway, if we lose our first pole for that or less, our position won't look too clever and will be pushing up my pessimism levels!

25 average opening partnership, but boosted a little by those flat pitches in the West Indies.

 Cheers, Duty. 

Ties in with my point. IF we're 20/1 and chasing north of 270 (which is looking increasingly likely), WINVIZ will surely be looking on NZ a lot more kindly.

You are a very adventurous skipper , Kingraf

I guess if they could have hit seven an over for five that scenario was possible ; though not very likely...academic now.


300 in 75 might be interesting though I'd probably slightly favour NZ then.

One gone at least ! Broad didn't take long to do the trick...lead only 259 so all to play for...

That was good cricket from England to dismiss Henry. Wicket for Broad in his first over today and a fine catch by Foakes, a little under rated by the Sky comms imo. Ball was travelling and rising. Now for Jamieson ....

Foakes is having a brilliant test with those gloves.

Good catch , good ball to the tail ender : but I do think they've overdone the short stuff this morning. Would rather see a bit more of a mix : think it would actually more challenging for the numbers 9-11...

Still two now the same way : Broad and Foakes again :

263 and just Boult to bat...pity Broad didn't start off this morning ?

On the Alfie & King Raf chat - with NZ a frontline seamer down and a debutant spinner with a FC average above 47, I feel NZ have been prudent in not only trying to extend the total we'll need but also limiting the number of overs they'll have to bowl for us to make it.

same trick does for jamieson

i was just coming on to bemoan the field set back giving easy singles everywhere, ill get back in my box

Duty281 wrote:Foakes is having a brilliant test with those gloves.

Absolutely. Just needs a red ink 20 this evening to get us over the line and him the MotM .... 

guildfordbat wrote:On the Alfie & King Raf chat - with NZ a frontline seamer down and a debutant spinner with a FC average above 47, I feel NZ have been prudent in not only trying to extend the total we'll need but also limiting the number of overs they'll have to bowl for us to make it.

Yes I think they wanted at least 280 if they could get it - and probably no more than 70 overs for England to get them , if possible. Or at least that's about what I'd have planned in Latham's shoes

May not be far off that . Would currently be 277 in 75 , no ?...no , make that 281...

England really need to get this over quickly...but Boult is giving Stokes the rounds of the kitchen...

England's chances probably receding beneath the draw now as the lead goes over 280 and only a maximum of 74 overs to chase it down.

I praised Stokes yesterday for his field placings in the series, but today the plans have been over-elaborate and the field placings daft. Very poor stuff.

compelling and rich wrote:same trick does for jamieson

i was just coming on to bemoan the field set back giving easy singles everywhere, ill get back in my box

no im sticking with it, all these cheap runs edging new zealand into favorite territory. got a new ball against a number 11. hit the stumps!!

Anderson isn't fit to bowl i'm going to assume?

Same old England, falling in love with a short ball tactic when bowling straight would do the job better.

NZ win that first hour. Two wickets with the short ball for Broad ; but the total reliance of banging it in short with fielders on the fence is reminiscent of Root's methods against India last year...I really hoped they'd learned better.

288 on , getting to the upper range of the feasible target , I think. If Anderson isn't injured I cannot understand why he hasn't bowled ?

Maybe England think they can chase 300 or so at 4.5 an over. I'm not so sure...

Surprised New Zealand aren't declaring now as Mitchell clobbers a six.

Only giving themselves a maximum of 72 overs to bowl England out. Jimmy's coming on now.

Duty281 wrote:Surprised New Zealand aren't declaring now as Mitchell clobbers a six.

Only giving themselves a maximum of 72 overs to bowl England out. Jimmy's coming on now.

Bit late for Jimmy. Baffling tactics.

And yes Anderson ends the thing... So 72 overs to get 299.

If England try a kamikaze charge they might easily fall apart. If NZ want to bowl defensively at some point 4.2 per over won't be easy. I think I'd make the draw favourite but NZ well in it. England need a minor miracle.

299 in 72 overs then. RRR of 4.15.

Very poor from England this morning. Think I'd place the draw ahead of NZ now, with an England win trailing in 3rd.

Going to have about 35 minutes before lunch. If NZ take two (or more!) in that time with the pivotal new ball, they'll be ahead as favourites. Stokes will be desperately hoping the top three can lay a platform for the flair players in the middle order to attack the target later in the day.

I'd be surprised if England make an actual attempt of chasing this down and nor should they, just bat sensibly and take the draw.

Can I just say before this run chase (they may very well end up winning), that NZ have been awful since the end of their first innings. Absolutely baffling 3rd dig that, why was Mitchell blocking and taking singles with the tail swinging at the end there???

4.15 per over is about average for this game

But if NZ want to go ultra defensive that won't be easy to maintain - not that they will unless England are really motoring. They'll fancy early wickets and go for the English throat...

Someone on the BBC page has misread the rules : says they could get an extra 8 overs if they were to claim the extra half hour

Bright start for Lees !

Okkkkk.......

Crawley has no clue v Boult and generally very little clue about opening the batting.

Six single figure scores in his last eight innings.

Yeah I'm sorry but Crawley has to go - at least Vince would get to 30 odd before edging to the cordon.

Ah that's just what NZ wanted...

Boult making his own play for MoTM in this high scoring game as the outstanding bowler (though I suspect Mitchell has that just about in the bag unless Root brings England home today)

Nervy twenty minutes coming up to lunch. Not that Lees seems to care as he hits another boundary !

Crawley averages low 20's opening the batting and his average at number three is distorted by that real outlier innings of 267, there comes a point when you just have to say he's not good enough. He'll score a bright 40 at some point but he rarely if ever scores runs when needed.

6'5 guys can not be openers.

Wonder when the last time England started an innings with 25 runs from the same batsman?

That is Alex Lees we're watching , isn't it ? Not Dave Warner in an England shirt...or Alex Hales...?

Transformed from the strokeless wonder we saw in the Caribbean : be nice if it lasts - well it will be as long as he can turn this sort of start into a serious score.

Seems to show England mean business anyway. Probably better than poking around as it serves to keep NZ from seeming to be all over the batsmen. But the risk is that it could lead to Joe Root making his familiar entry at 30/2...

I feel for Crawley , by the way. Yes his record just isn't good enough ; but he has enough talent : his problem really is that he lacks the fine judgement of when to leave and when to play those lovely drives.

In fairness to him he's not really an opener ; and he has copped a couple of very good balls from Boult in this match.

He's indeed likely to be kicked to death on the Internet - and very probably sent back to the shires at least for now. But we should consider that one might have held the same thoughts about Ollie Pope just a few days ago...

alfie wrote:I feel for Crawley , by the way. Yes his record just isn't good enough ; but he has enough talent : his problem really is that he lacks the fine judgement of when to leave and when to play those lovely drives.

In fairness to him he's not really an opener ; and he has copped a couple of very good balls from Boult in this match.

He's indeed likely to be kicked to death on the Internet - and very probably sent back to the shires at least for now. But we should consider that one might have held the same thoughts about Ollie Pope just a few days ago...

The thing is though Alfie; Pope at least has his county numbers to fall back on whilst Crawley doesn't.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Can I just say before this run chase (they may very well end up winning), that NZ have been awful since the end of their first innings. Absolutely baffling 3rd dig that, why was Mitchell blocking and taking singles with the tail swinging at the end there???

I agree that NZ's 3rd dig yesterday was puzzling poor but I feel they judged things well this morning (even though I would have expected Mitchell to do more of the heavy lifting). I reckon they managed the equation of runs and time very effectively. With Jamieson crocked, they wouldn't imo want to send down more than 72 overs. That allows the 3 remaining seamers to share 60 and the debutant spinner with a FC average north of 47 to bowl a dozen. If Bracewell does the business early on, he could obviously bowl more but I doubt that NZ would want to depend on it.

Soul Requiem wrote:

alfie wrote:I feel for Crawley , by the way. Yes his record just isn't good enough ; but he has enough talent : his problem really is that he lacks the fine judgement of when to leave and when to play those lovely drives.

In fairness to him he's not really an opener ; and he has copped a couple of very good balls from Boult in this match.

He's indeed likely to be kicked to death on the Internet - and very probably sent back to the shires at least for now. But we should consider that one might have held the same thoughts about Ollie Pope just a few days ago...

The thing is though Alfie; Pope at least has his county numbers to fall back on whilst Crawley doesn't.

Fair point. Crawley doesn't bat at The Oval though

I still think there is a quality player somewhere in there : but acknowledge that he may never actually emerge. Which would be a pity , I think...but that's how it goes sometimes.

alfie wrote:That is Alex Lees we're watching , isn't it ? Not Dave Warner in an England shirt...or Alex Hales...?

Transformed from the strokeless wonder we saw in the Caribbean

The 'I'm not Dom Sibley' gameplan. Good on him for seeing the writing on the wall after the first Test, mind.