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

by dummy_half Thu Jun 23, 2022 8:47 pm

First topic message reminder :

Must be assuming Southee can't be as ineffective again.

by VTR Sat Jun 25, 2022 6:25 pm

Re Jamie Overton's batting, look up his only FC century, a rapid 120 batting at number 10 for Somerset which turned round their innings. So he's done this before to an extent, but you wouldn't really think that would translate into this performance vs Boult, Southee and Wagner. Reckon England hoped for a quick 30 at best

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 6:45 pm

Thanks for comments on Overton , Guildford....

re Stokes : presume he is still handicapped to some extent or surely he would have bowled . But he certainly didn't look to have much problem with the outfield catch to get Mitchell ; and he both scampered runs and swung the bat with his normal vigour (rather too much !) when batting . Will be illuminating to see whether he steps up with the ball when NZ bat again.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 6:52 pm

Thanks for comments on Overton , Guildford....

re Stokes : presume he is still handicapped to some extent or surely he would have bowled . But he certainly didn't look to have much problem with the outfield catch to get Mitchell ; and he both scampered runs and swung the bat with his normal vigour (rather too much !) when batting . Will be illuminating to see whether he steps up with the ball when NZ bat again.

by guildfordbat Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:10 pm

Alfie - yep, reception is dodgy here so very prudent to send twice. Thanks.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:25 pm

Ha...don't know how that happened. Hope the Greek Internet System holds up for you today , Guildford...could be another exciting day .

by Duty281 Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:57 pm

Right...so what's going to happen today? NZ regroup and retain a small lead going into the third innings? Or Bairstow and Overton blast England up to a 200 lead? Nothing can surprise us now.

Ordinarily, you'd say England need a lead of at least fifty to counter the fourth-innings effect, but I'm not sure if that logic holds anymore.

When NZ bat again it'll be one last chance for their top five to do...something. Only two fifties between them in this series, and a collective series average of under 20.

by msp83 Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:07 pm

From now on, Would be surprised if England don't get a first innings lead. Partnerships like these can completely demoralize the opposition. Besides, they are a 3 man bowling unit, into a 50 over ball. If England bat till the new ball, think they should be 70 80 ahead easily...

by msp83 Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:13 pm

It was strange to see Bracewell starting things for NZ. Just a one over experiment though, Boult, rightfully on... Their best chance of a wicket is from him. Southee bowled a good one last over, but he just doesn't look on top of his game in this series. There is a spark now and then, but he hasn't been the same bowler...

by msp83 Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:15 pm

That was a good start from Boult. Asking a question or 2 with a 50 over old ball. Southee really have to step up today and play his part.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:15 pm

msp83 wrote:From now on, Would be surprised if England don't get a first innings lead. Partnerships like these can completely demoralize the opposition. Besides, they are a 3 man bowling unit, into a 50 over ball. If England bat till the new ball, think they should be 70 80 ahead easily...

Wouldn't be too sure about that , msp....not a lot of batting to follow unless Broad decides to play one of his old time swashbuckling efforts. One might bring a clatter yet.

Kiwis may well be a bit down after last evening session ; but they are a resilient bunch.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:17 pm

msp83 wrote:It was strange to see Bracewell starting things for NZ. Just a one over experiment though, Boult, rightfully on... Their best chance of a wicket is from him. Southee bowled a good one last over, but he just doesn't look on top of his game in this series. There is a spark now and then, but he hasn't been the same bowler...

Think that was just to enable Boult to change ends , no ?

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:17 pm

alfie wrote:
guildfordbat wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:As Guildford will attest, despite his often wayward bowling efforts, I’ve oft praised Overton’s ability as a lower order biffer - quite often gets a good 30/40, and is capable. Rode his luck a bit here at times, but a very impressive knock so far

Happy to back you up there, Olly! I did also mention yesterday about his batting that if he connects, it travels! See from cricinfo that he hit two sixes along with plenty of boundaries.

I would hope - and don’t think it’s too unrealistic - that we can go on to get a lead from here. Whilst either JOve or Jonny are at the crease, the runs should keep coming.

Hey you two Surrey chaps : would you agree that Overton has actually exceeded your expectations with the bat here ? First game , in at a perilous stage : would it be fair to say this surpasses anything he's done in the CC so far ?

I certainly note what you both warned about his sometimes wayward bowling (and I did look at his CC bowling figures from last year !) so agree his ongoing value as a pace option remains unclear : but as others have noted he does possess both pace and swing so will be very interested to see what he can do in the second innings...hopefully with a century under his belt to add confidence ?

By the way , guildford : perhaps you had better get back from your Grecian Odyssey before Surrey's Blast campaign derails

I think Guildford has summarised nicely - I will always define him as a good lower order biffer in the first class stuff, he’s the kind of 7/8 that an opposition team would hate I think, because as Guildford says if he is in for any amount of time he will score quickly. Much more effective with the bat in the short form stuff though I’d say, his stints doing T10 around the world have helped massively in that I think.

I suspect, and maybe this is harsh, we are seeing a one off here at test level (innings, and maybe even appearance wise). Still he’ll be in the history books now for a while you suspect with that 7th wicket partnership record!

by msp83 Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:21 pm

alfie wrote:
msp83 wrote:From now on, Would be surprised if England don't get a first innings lead. Partnerships like these can completely demoralize the opposition. Besides, they are a 3 man bowling unit, into a 50 over ball. If England bat till the new ball, think they should be 70 80 ahead easily...

Wouldn't be too sure about that , msp....not a lot of batting to follow unless Broad decides to play one of his old time swashbuckling efforts. One might bring a clatter yet.

Kiwis may well be a bit down after last evening session ; but they are a resilient bunch.

Alfie,
This is not a Collapse track really. New Zealand in the first innings, gave away starts quite a bit. New ball can do damage, but England are far away from that. Wagner is just returning to tests after being benched for reasons that do not make much cricketing sense. Potts, Leach and Broad all should be able to hang around, of course Broad's prefered mode of operation is not really that any more. Hanging around shouldn't be too demanding for them if one of the 2 set batters keep going.
Bairstow beginning to move through the gears

by msp83 Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:29 pm

As Bairstow is motoring away comfortably, Overton can take his time, and push himself towards that much deserved debut ton. Bairstow looking ominous for New Zealand.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:32 pm

Yeah you are probably on the money there , msp. I am just not prepared to get too certain about anything in this series given the number of twists and turns we have seen through the three games so far...

Indeed pitch does look good for batting at present. NZ might fancy they can get the best conditions of the match for their second innings - just have to take the four wickets first !

Three man attack has definitely hurt them.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:35 pm

150 for Jonny ... Enjoying himself in front of his home fans. Still motoring better than run a ball...

by Duty281 Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:41 pm

Gutted for Overton, out on 97. WG Grace remains the only England test player to score a ton and take a wicket on test debut.

Kiwis have bowled well to him this morning. Bairstow? Not so much.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:44 pm

Aargh ! Overton falls just three short...(;

Boult deserved that to be fair...but no one would have begrudged JO three more runs ! He has done an amazing job for his team.

I think he was a bit constrained today , probably with the milestone so close ; so not altogether surprised he got out - though I was willing him to get there...

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 9:49 pm

Duty281 wrote:Gutted for Overton, out on 97. WG Grace remains the only England test player to score a ton and take a wicket on test debut.

Kiwis have bowled well to him this morning. Bairstow? Not so much.

Ah , The Doctor...remember him well Wink

At least some cheeky young lads at my club like to ask me periodically what it was like bowling to him...

Boult has bowled really well again. Bairstow probably seeing it so well now he's likely to attract "bad" balls that look good to most players.

Wonder if Broad can produce a cameo now ?

by Soul Requiem Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:07 pm

Outstanding recovery, I think we all thought the test was done at 56-6. Real shame for JOverton but he should be very proud of his effort, dragged England back from the mire.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:17 pm

Bracewell nearly had both of them that over ! Broad threading it twixt slip and keeper...and Jonny's return hit had a bit too much power for the bowler to do more than tip it over the bar...saved himself three runs though Wink

England haven't changed tactics then as Broad keeps on the charge...fifty stand already !

by Duty281 Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:19 pm

50 partnership already, even though Bairstow's not getting much of the strike.

Southee's serving up slot ball after slot ball.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:23 pm

All good things come to an end...Broad gone for a brisk 42. Just what was wanted I guess...Southee will be relieved to have got a second before his personal hundred comes up.

Lead just 22. Potts a chance to show what he can do with the bat...

But YJB has holed out too , alas. That lead won't be too much after all. Super innings , though I'm sure he wanted more.

by Duty281 Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:24 pm

All over now for Jonny. An incredible purple patch in his career, with four centuries in 13 innings this year.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:34 pm

Ah , all done ...lead of 31. Good job by NZ to take that last three quickly. I am not too surprised England weren't able to turn the lead into a really significant one : after 55/6 becoming 296/7 the Law of Averages says some wickets will tumble at some point !

Awkward little session coming up to lunch for the beleaguered Latham and Young...

by Duty281 Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:35 pm

A lead of 31, which looked borderline impossible at 55/6, but has been achieved through the attacking efforts of Bairstow and Overton.

Ordinarily, you'd say New Zealand were still ahead in terms of the match situation, but this series hasn't corresponded to logic or reason, so who knows?

I reckon one of the Kiwi top five will get a century. They're surely not going to falter again. It'll be interesting to see how they approach the third innings - a careless approach cost them at least an extra fifty runs at the same stage in each of the previous two tests.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:47 pm

What's wrong with Foakes ? Stiff back ? Hope it isn't serious...

And what are England doing opening with Leach ? This seems a bit too funky for me.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:01 pm

No alarms for Latham...lunch at 13/0.

Match pretty even I think.

by Soul Requiem Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:46 pm

Interesting point made elsewhere, the bowlers have only a two session rest having bowled near on 120 overs.

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:50 pm

Soul Requiem wrote:Interesting point made elsewhere, the bowlers have only a two session rest having bowled near on 120 overs.

Yeah I was thinking that too. The one drawback to scoring at six per over...

At least Old Man Jimmy has his feet up for now...these young fellows should be able to go again at short notice Wink

by alfie Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:54 pm

Aha...good bowling Potts ! Straight to Pope and young is on his way...

Change of luck for the young bowler : and NZ -3/1.

by Duty281 Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:59 pm

Yep, could be very taxing for England if New Zealand bat well into tomorrow. Also it's Broad's third test in succession, not often he does that these days.

Young goes. Deserved for Potts, but the Kiwis have already eradicated the deficit. I'd like to say a 250 lead should be enough for New Zealand...but after the last two tests we can't be sure.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:26 am

Potts bowling very well here...but the NZ bats looking fairly settled. Don't think we are going to see any quick collapse today , somehow.

Will be interesting to see if Overton can have an impact with his extra pace. This third day pitch presents the sort of situation in which England often seem to feel the lack of something other than low eighties seam.

Wonder if Stokes intends to try his arm at all today ?

Fifty up for one wicket. Decent batting from Latham and the skipper.

by msp83 Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:32 am

Kane Williamson has had a difficult tour, a difficult few months across formats. But dare I say, he's beginning to look good here... New Zealand badly need their skipper to make a real statement...

by msp83 Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:36 am

Latham up to 40. Overton a touch inconsistent. Think Stokes will have to bowl a few on this track in these conditions, unless he has fitness concerns. Not much going for the bowlers in terms of helpful conditions, and those are situations wherein Stokes' Ex Factor comes in handy.

by Duty281 Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:45 am

Overton not impressive at all with ball in hand, quite a few freebies served up. Broad also looked a bit fatigued, pace was somewhat down, so we may need to see Stokes if that is at all possible. Potts once again excellent with his control.

Kiwis on top. 30 the lead and moving past the hard new ball stage. 50 overs left in the day, meaning the lead could be close to 200 by stumps.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:55 am

Stokes doing a few stretches which might suggest he's intending to have a go. At the moment there doesn't seem to be a lot happening for the bowlers so England will be hoping he can produce some of his "golden arm" stuff.

Could be hard work getting the long NZ batting list out this time around.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:57 am

And indeed it is time for the skipper to have a bowl...and met with a coverdriven four from his opposite number ...that will please KW.

by Duty281 Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:02 am

Stokes' opening over was ghastly, and Leach not getting much out of the surface, so worrying times for England.

50 for Latham. Good, positive innings. I thought he looked in decent touch for the whole of the series, but he kept getting out cheaply until now.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:20 am

Batting looking very easy at the moment...Stokes coming on nicely to the bat - and going off it rather sweetly. And Leach being picked off occasionally square , and not really looking like producing panic in the ranks .

Hundred up in good time ; two experienced bats well set : a different sort of challenge for New England. Reckon they might find themselves chasing quite a lot in the fourth innings this time...

by Duty281 Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:27 am

Stokes' bowling has been terrible all series. 3 wickets at a 75 average, economy of over 4, and plenty of no-balls.

Think England will be reliant on Potts to produce some magic after tea to get back in this.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:28 am

Bit of a concern about Foakes , too : back in his hotel and to be "assessed overnight" ... One hopes he isn't too badly impaired as they will probably need his batting later , never mind his glove work.

Stiff back doesn't sound like an impact injury ; but it could be something that lingers - which would not be good news with another match just a week away.

by Duty281 Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:32 am

Root's slip-catching has been shocking this series. Another simple one put down by him, to add to the drop of Mitchell in the last test.

Not good news about Foakes. May present a chance for Brook v India, but could require a reshuffle of the batting order.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:34 am

Ouch ! Root drops a sitter at slip !

Broad the suffering bowler...England not having a good session at all.

That's a few Root has put down lately. Not sure why... Judging from his batting his eyes are pretty good at present Wink

Just what you don't want when you are trying to get a break on a flat pitch...

by Duty281 Sun Jun 26, 2022 1:42 am

Horrific session for England. No control, too many boundary balls served up - Latham in particular has feasted on those, a lot of them going through midwicket.

94/1 effectively. Lot of hard work for England to do to keep the lead reasonable, especially with Don Mitchell still to bat, but we do know the Kiwis are prone to a third innings collapse.

by msp83 Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:02 am

Fine start to the new session for England. Overton, a bit all over the shop earlier, strikes straight away at resumption! Latham not capitalizing on the drop...

by Duty281 Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:04 am

Vicious start from Overton. Just what England needed.

by msp83 Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:06 am

Overton suddenly becoming unplayable. That was a terrific welcome for Conway.
Conway has looked in decent touch throughout the series, without a score of substance. Often did the hard yards, only to give it away. He would want to really change it here.

by alfie Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:09 am

Ha...back a little late after tea and I see I've missed a wicket and a TKO...

Overton providing the "point of difference " ?

Joe Root will be relieved !

by msp83 Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:13 am

Overton can be an asset in a 5 man attack for England particularly as Archer's test future isn't certain, and Wood is fragile and isn't getting any younger. If only they can find a spinner worth it, and Stokes can keep himself fit...

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