Cricket News: A look at the possible playing 11 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for their first game of IPL 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad
Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have endured a bit of a rough patch in recent years. They have missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, with their late run to reach the 2021 final standing out like a sore thumb.
KKR will begin their IPL 2024 campaign at home against Sunrisers Hyderabad. So, it will be interesting to see the make up of their team given Eden Gardens has typically assisted seamers in recent years.
KKR possible playing 11 for their first game of IPL 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad
With Shreyas Iyer available, KKR could look to shift Venkatesh Iyer to opener permanently. Rinku Singh and Andre Russell rounds out the top six, giving the franchise wonderful finishing ability.
Mitchell Starc, at 24.75 crore, is a lock. Rahmanullah Gurbaz could be preferred as opener over Phil Salt, who also provides a wicket-keeping option.
In terms of the seam attack, Chetan Sekariya also provides a left-arm option. The seamer will be aiming to replicate some of the form he showed in his early days in his IPL career. With Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy set to take the key spin duties, KKR have a choice to make for the last seamer role and they may opt for Vaibhav Arora over the likes of Harshit Rana.
The key for KKR will be to hit the ground running. They have been unable to put consistent performances together in recent seasons, often putting them in difficult situations come the end of the tournament.
Cricket News: RCB fans in delirium after the team won the WPL 2024 Final thanks to a strong bowling display against Delhi Capitals
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are enjoying glory for the first time, with the women’s team winning the 2024 Women’s Premier League thanks to a magnificent bowling display in front of a huge crowd at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
After a strong start by the Capitals thanks mainly to Shafali Verma’s blistering innings, player of the match Sophie Molineux turned the game on its head with three wickets in the eighth over. From there, the RCB spinners kept a stronghold on the Delhi lineup, who simply couldn’t get going as they stuttered to 113 all out.
With the ball, the Capitals tried their best to keep RCB in check. They succeeded in limiting the run rate, but the lack of wickets ultimately proved costly. Openers Sophie Devine and Smriti Mandhana hit 30+ scores, before Ellyse Perry overcame a slow start to finish with 35*. In the end, it was star Richa Ghosh who hit the winning runs to cap off a superb tournament individually.
Reactions: RCB add first trophy to the cabinet after winning the WPL 2024 Final
Celebrations ran long into the night in Bangalore after Smriti Mandhana’s team produced a superb performance when it mattered most. Remember, last season RCB lost their first five games to miss the playoffs, but they made amends in the best way possible.
“Looking around the TL i have observed one thing. RCB Fans aren’t just celebrating the RCB women’s side. They are celebrating RCB’s win,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The loyalty is beyond gender lines. I don’t know if this has happened in other sports or clubs ever. A unique barrier has been crossed.”
Looking around the TL i have observed one thing. RCB Fans aren't just celebrating the RCB women's side. They are celebrating RCB's win. The loyalty is beyond gender lines. I don't know if this has happened in other sports or clubs ever. A unique barrier has been crossed
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 17, 2024
If u had told me a few years ago that crowds would flood the streets, block roads to celebrate a women's league title win, would have brushed it off. The scale of these celebrations signifies a paradigm shift, could well redefine the landscape of women's cricket in this country https://t.co/7eZ9TZYqlg
RCB Fanbase is really something. One can literally see people on major roads celebrating the WPL win. This season showed how Bengaluru is key to the success of Women's Cricket in India and the game should not be just restricted to Mumbai.
Lanning doesn't know the feeling of being on the other side of winning trophies. But the DC black magic has had her experience it twice in two years. Can understand the tears.
My heart goes out to Lanning and the Capitals. They were unbelievable all season. Even better than last year. But somehow, it came apart appallingly today.
I hope this team tastes glory before there's a rejig. They deserve one #WPL2024
– 2 ODI World Cup. – 6 T20 World Cup. – 2 WBBL. – 1 WPL. – Gold in Commonwealth Games. – Cricketer of the decade. – T20I Cricketer of the decade. – ODI Cricketer of the decade. – Scored a Goal in Football WC
Won 6 T20 World Cups Won 2 ODI World Cups Won BBL twice Women's Cricketer of the Decade ODI Cricketer of the Decade. T20 Cricketer of the Decade. ICC Cricketer of the Year twice
RCB! Where do I start? I was 8, and now I'm 24, I celebrated this first cup with the joy of a child and the tears of a fan who has seen every kind of disappointment in the last 16 years. This is more than a sporting triumph; it's a celebration of our sporting fandom. Savour it!
Call the girls to Chinnaswamy on 19th March for the #RCBUnbox event and have them do a Lap of Honor with the trophy. The girls deserve it.. the fans deserve it. #RCB
Cricket News: Geoffrey Boycott says England must move on from James Anderson before the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia
Former batsman Geoffrey Boycott believes England need to look beyond James Anderson before the next Ashes series to be held in Australia in 2025/26.
In his column for The Telegraph, Boycott wrote that England are picking the seamer on sentiment, particularly given his reduced role in recent series.
“Jimmy Anderson deserves all the adulation and plaudits for staying fit to play 187 Test matches and reach 700 wickets but, because of his age, he is used too sparingly,” said Boycott.
James Anderson won’t have enough in him to succeed in Australia in 2025 – Boycott
England will play six Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka in their 2024 home season before visiting Pakistan and New Zealand. They will then host India at home in 2025.
However, Boycott looks at the Ashes as England’s next biggest assignment, especially given they have not win a single Test in Australia since January 2011. He believes there needs to be strong planning in place to ensure they have a well-rounded attack for Australian conditions.
“England cannot keep wrapping him [Anderson] in cotton wool and picking him on sentiment forever,” Boycott continued. “In a year-and-a-half England’s next big challenge will be going to Australia to try and win back the Ashes. Fast bowling is physically very demanding and eventually takes its toll on every bowler’s body.
“Jimmy will be 43 by the next Ashes and I don’t see him being able to do the hard yards on tough, bone hard pitches and in hot weather.”
Boycott wrote that the likes of Josh Tongue and Matt Potts need to be given more playing time to get used to the rigours of Test cricket.
“England have to find some young seamers who can bowl 20 overs and come back the next day ready for more,” said Boycott. “They need to be given matches before the team is selected for Australia. For example, Josh Tongue played at Lord’s against Australia and took five wickets and has never been seen again. Matt Potts 23 wickets in six Tests but has not played since the Ireland game last summer.”
Anderson, who became the first fast bowler in Test history to reach the incredible milestone of 700 wickets, bowled the fifth-most overs for England in their recent tour of India. Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root all bowled more, with Anderson finishing with ten wickets at 33.50.
The seamer also struggled for impact in the 2023 Ashes. The surfaces weren’t to his liking, where he finished with five wickets at an average of 85.4 in four Tests.
“Jimmy remains a great craftsman and he can give experience at one end while some new boys get bedded in at the other but before the Australia trip it will be time to nicely say ‘sayonara Jimmy, thank you for the memories. We have loved watching your skill but it is time to move on’”, concluded Boycott.
Cricket News: A look at the possible playing 11 for CSK in IPL 2024 as they aim to defend their title
Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) look strong once again in their quest for a record-breaking sixth title. The Yellow Army sealed a remarkable triumph in 2023, with their depth and belief coming to the fore.
This season, CSK will be tough to beat once again. They have added quality domestic and overseas talent to their squad, giving the team management plenty of options as to the makeup of their playing XI for the opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Chepauk on March 22.
CSK possible playing 11 for first game of IPL 2024 against RCB
In a blow for CSK, opener Devon Conway is set to miss at least a few games of the IPL 2024 season due to a thumb injury suffered in the recent T20I series against Australia. His New Zealand teammate, Rachin Ravindra, could take his place at the top.
CSK have the services of Daryl Mitchell after landing him for 14cr in the auction. Mitchell gives the side excellent balance in the middle order, with his ability to play spin crucial on what is often a spin-friendly surface at Chepauk.
There may be no room for Sameer Rizvi, dubbed the “right-handed Suresh Raina”. The talented batsman went for 8.40cr in the auction, but whether CSK opt for experience in Rahane and Dube in the first game remains to be seen.
Also, CSK have a call to make on their fourth overseas option. Matheesha Pathirana was outstanding in 2023, but we could see a slow, spin-friendly surface at Chepauk to counter RCB’s strong batting lineup. So, Mitchell Santner may get the nod given RCB’s top six is likely to be all right-handers: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, and Dinesh Karthik.
Cricket News: The sad fact about the 2023-25 World Test Championship | A look at the 2023-25 WTC table in March 2024
Australia’s thrilling three-wicket win over New Zealand in Christchurch has given Pat Cummins’ side a firmer hold on second position in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) table. India hold top spot after a 4-1 series win over England took them to a win percentage of 68.51.
However, the table presents the current reality of Test cricket. While fans have been blessed to have witnessed multiple thrilling Test matches in 2024 alone, there is no hiding from the fact three teams dominate the landscape too much for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ignore.
As of 11 March 2024, India, England and Australia have played 31 Tests between them. The others? Just 23 combined. New Zealand have played the most with six, followed by Pakistan with five, West Indies and South Africa with four, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with two.
Sucks that 3 teams have played 31 Tests and the other 6 have played 23 combined pic.twitter.com/U7XLlRmtRd
Australia, England, India play the majority of matches in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle
The 2023-25 cycle began with the Ashes, and then India hosted England for five Tests. Australia will host India for five Tests at the end of 2024 and start of 2025.
Just recently, South Africa sent a significantly under-strength squad to New Zealand with their first-choice players involved in the lucrative SA20 tournament that is crucial to the board’s finances. The Proteas have a number of talented players fans aren’t given the privilege of watching in Tests regularly, as is the case with other nations, where we now hope we see as much of the brilliant Shamar Joseph with the red ball as possible.
“I dare say the West Indies need to be invited to these geographies to play because a Test match in the West Indies today is a dead-rubber unless it’s against India, England or Australia where we get revenues from television,” said former Cricket West Indies CEO David Cameron.
With regards to the ICC, the WTC concept is one that adds context to the Test format. Also, there is a lucrative mace to be won at the end of each cycle. However, as things stand, there is a risk of Tests being played among a few nations in the future.
Test cricket is dead outside big 3. It needs a revamp :
1. Day-Night format only 2. Pink ball & colour clothings 3. Four innings 100 over each 4. 2 year WTC cycle 5. Minimum 3 tests per series 6. Minimum 3 series per year 7. WTC final at neutral venue.
According to a future of cricket poll by CricBlog, 42.1% of the nearly 5,000 respondents said Tests will be played by a maximum of six countries in the next 10-15 years. Also, three-quarters predict that IPL franchise owners will hold more power over multiple cricket boards.
A strong, competitive landscape adds so much more for Test cricket. However, much has to be done to get there.
Cricket News: A look at the highest successful run chases in Test cricket at Hagley Oval in Christchurch
In a sporting world full of large stadiums, Hagley Oval in Christchurch is one of the beautiful, picturesque grounds. Teams batting fourth have won five of the past seven Tests at Hagley Oval, with the damage often done in the first innings with the ball.
Thus, there haven’t been big totals chased at this ground. Here is a look at the top five.
Top 5 successful run chases in Tests at Hagley Oval Christchurch
5. 111/1 by New Zealand against Bangladesh, 2017 (target 109)
The second Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh was evenly poised after the first innings. The Black Caps took a lead of 65 after scoring 354, with Shakib Al Hasan’s 4/50 keeping the Tigers in the game.
But, Tim Southee (5/94 and 3/48 for the match) stole the show, helping dismantle the Bangladesh lineup in the second dig for just 173, leaving New Zealand with 109 to get. They achieved it with a huge nine wickets to spare.
43. 132/3 by New Zealand against India, 2020 (target 132)
New Zealand sealed an emphatic 2-0 series win over India with a seven-wicket win in the Christchurch Test. Kyle Jamieson (5/45) dominated in just his second game to dismiss India for 242. However, New Zealand scored just 235 in reply, leaving the Indians with the chance to control the match.
But, Trent Boult (4/28) and Tim Southee (3/36) produced one of their classic performances as a duo to knock India over for just 124. In the fourth innings, Tom Latham (52) and Tom Blundell (55) all-but-sealed the chase with a 103-run opening stand.
3. 201/3 by Australia against New Zealand, 2016 (target 201)
This was Joe Burns’ Test. The opener struck 170 and 65 in a dream outing to lead Australia to a strong win in 2016. His first innings ton, along with Steve Smith’s 138, took Australia to a huge 505 in response to New Zealand’s 370.
The Black Caps fought with 335 in their second dig thanks mainly to Kane Williamson (97) and Matt Henry (66). But, it wasn’t enough, with all of Australia’s five batsmen contributing in their successful chase of 201.
2. 281/7 by Australia against New Zealand, 2024 (target 279)
Australia again. This time in 2024. Alex Carey played arguably his greatest innings, hitting a superb 98* to lead Australia home in the second Test of their 2024 series in New Zealand. Mitchell Marsh (80) and Pat Cummins (32*) were also outstanding as the visitors recovered from 34/4 and 80/5 to successfully chase 279.
Earlier in the Test, New Zealand fought back from being bowled out for 162 in the first innings. They ensured they stayed in touch by limiting Australia to 256, courtesy of Matt Henry’s 7/67. In the second innings, they resisted very well, with four half-centurions in their score of 372, but it wasn’t quite enough in the end.
1. 285/8 by New Zealand against Sri Lanka, 2023 (target 285)
One of the classics. Soon after New Zealand sealed an unbelievable one-run win after following on against England, the Black Caps achieved their run chase of 285 off the very final ball against Sri Lanka in 2023.
Kane Williamson (121*) played one of his finest knocks, combining with player of the match Daryl Mitchell (102 and 83) to put New Zealand in with a chance of victory after falling into trouble at 90/3.
Wickets then fell regularly, but Williamson stood firm. Heading into the last over, New Zealand needed eight to win with three wickets in hand. A hobbling Neil Wagner joined Williamson after Matt Henry was run out, before the great batsman carved a magnificent shot though point and then sneaked through a bye to seal a memorable win.
Cricket News: Fans react to New Zealand selecting Scott Kuggeleijn after telling Neil Wagner he won’t be picked
Fans have expressed their disappointment and displeasure after New Zealand selected pace bowler Scott Kuggeleijn for the first Test against Australia. Kuggeleijn was on trial for sexual assault in 2016, which resulted in a hung jury. A retrial then took place in 2017, but many were left angered by his comments and admissions during the process.
Kuggeleijn was picked ahead of Neil Wagner, with the left-arm seamer retiring this week after he was informed he wouldn’t be in the playing XI. This frustrated fans, with Wagner one of New Zealand’s finest bowlers with 260 wickets at 27.57.
Fans express their disappointment after Scott Kuggeleijn was selected in the first Test at Wellington
“A dark cloud over this game I’m afraid,” wrote one fan. “Shouldn’t be here representing his country. Wouldn’t sit well being a team mate either.”
“Who knows what dirt SK has on NZ cricket for this insanity to even occur,” another fan wrote.
Here are some of the reactions during the first day’s play.
a dark cloud over this game i'm afraid . shouldn't be here representing his country . wouldn't sit well being a team mate either #NZvAUShttps://t.co/aiEPMqMOjj
They really bullied our precious Neil Wagner into retirement just to give his well earned spot to a rapist?! Yeah, not watching this Test at all. If I were Wagner I would drag the board ass.
Who knows what dirt SK has on NZ cricket for this insanity to even occur.
Yep it’s totally wrong but they picked him before so I knew they would pick him again sadly but it’s piss poor having a rapist in the team it’s a bad look n they don’t care it appears
I really want to enjoy this test match. I think it's the last test series Australia plays until the end of the year. But it's quite hard to while Scott Kuggeleign is in New Zealand's side. This vile man has no place in international or professional cricket.#NZvAUS
NZ cricket playing a guy that doesn’t know about consent and admitted raping a girl while a legend of the game has to retire because they won’t pick him. Wtaf?
New Zealand retired Neil Wagner to pick Scott Kuggeleijn? On a cricketing level, bananas. On a societal and human level, astronomically bizarre and grim. Do better. #NZvAUS
It is as if they are almost making an effort with Kuggeleijn, maybe it's me reading into it too much but it almost feels as if it's "we know what's being said so we're gonna say everything but that"
The Test against Australia at the Basin Reserve is Kuggeleijn’s second after making his debut against England in 2023. He has also played 18 ODIs and two T20Is for New Zealand.
Cricket News: A look at the last time New Zealand won a Test series against Australia
Australia are in New Zealand for a Test series for the first time since 2016. It promises to be an interesting series, with the Black Caps looking to discover their best form while the Australians are out to put the shock loss against West Indies a month ago behind them.
However, while the two nations have fought out some classics in white-ball cricket over the years, the same can’t quite be said in Test cricket. Australia have won seven of the past eight Tests between the teams dating back to 2011, with a single draw on a flat WACA pitch in 2015.
But, the Black Caps will be aiming to end more droughts than one in the upcoming series. Their last Test series win against the Australians (consisting of two or more Tests) was way back in 1986, sealing a 1-0 triumph at home courtesy of Jeremy Coney (292 runs at 146.00) and Sir Richard Hadlee (16 wickets at 24.18) who led the way.
In fact, New Zealand had beaten Australia in Australia just a few months earlier as well. They sealed that series 2-1, with Hadlee taking an extraordinary 33 wickets in three Tests at 12.15.
New Zealand hopeful of winning a Test series against Australia for the first time in nearly 40 years
Since New Zealand’s 1-0 win in 1986, the two teams have played 14 multi-Test series. Australia have won 11 of them, with the latest being a 3-0 whitewash in Australia in 2019/20.
Also, the Black Caps’ last win against Australia on home soil was way back in 1993. Danny Morrison starred with 6/37 in the first innings.
But, this series represents an opportunity for New Zealand. While they haven’t been at their best since winning the 2021 World Test Championship, winning eight of 19 Tests, Kane Williamson comes into this clash with seven centuries in his past seven Tests. Also, Australia’s batting in their recent home summer left a bit to be desired, so the New Zealand attack, despite missing Kyle Jamieson, can make inroads.
Commentator Ian Smith, who was part of the teams that last beat Australia in a Test series, said the Black Caps need to believe they can achieve a win this time.
“This New Zealand side, I would back against most sides in the world on a daily basis,” Smith said.
“But one thing against Australia is that we don’t play often enough and we probably still have not got that belief that we can that often.
“The bowling worries me in terms of longevity. The Southee-Boult combination will no longer be in Test cricket. I’m not quite sure how long they’ve got in cricket actually, so that’s a worry.
“So we need to develop youth and pace and bounce. And somehow we need to develop a Nathan Lyon. Where the hell we get one from, we’ve been trying for over 30 years since I’ve been around but haven’t quite found one of that kind of quality. That is a must for us.”
Cricket News: Former England captains Mike Atherton & Nasser Hussain spoke about the key moments where England lost the Ranchi Test
Former England captain Mike Atherton pinpointed key moments where the team fell short at Ranchi. Speaking to Nasser Hussain on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast in the aftermath of England’s five-wicket defeat, Atherton praised the team’s efforts but lamented a few key missed opportunities to take the series to a decider in Dharamsala.
“Given the 40 runs they [India] scored last night [on day three], I don’t think anyone really expected England to win today,” Atherton said. “WinViz had India at 95% or something.
“But I remain very impressed by the way Stokes handles himself and his bowlers, and his field settings. He’s one of those people who’s never beaten until the last ball goes down. England gave a good account of themselves and they had a sniff.”
Mike Atherton on where England fell short in the 4th Test against India
Atherton first pointed to the two ends of the first innings as key moments in the match. He felt England could have managed things better at their end of their innings with Joe Root going strongly, afterwhich those late-order runs for India proved pivotal.
“I was a bit frustrated when Joe Root was not out on 122 for example and Anderson and Bashir played two shots that left Root stranded,” Atherton said. “Bashir showed in the second innings that when he looked to stay in, he could stay in.
“If England had added a few more or given Root the chance to express himself right at the end of that innings [it could have been a different game]”.
Atherton then spoke of Ollie Robinson’s dropped catch on day three as a pivotal moment. Man of the match Dhruv Jurel, who was on 59 at that point, went on to make 90 and cut England’s first innings lead to 46.
“When [Ollie] Robinson put down Jurel on 59, they added 40-odd more. If you put those two things together, you feel England’s first innings advantage should have been somewhere around 100 and then what puts a very different complexion on the third innings, which as you know can be very difficult when there’s not much of an advantage on first innings.
“So, I felt when looking at the game as a whole, that’s where England missed their opportunities,” Atherton said.
Dhruv Jurel was outstanding in his second Test.
Atherton also lamented England’s middle order. Apart from Joe Root, none of Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow or Ben Stokes made an impact on the game.
“I suppose England’s middle order has had a pretty bad game with the exception of Root who played brilliantly in the first innings,” Atherton said. “Pope’s pair, Jonny [Bairstow] got two 30s, but that second innings dismissal just after tea, you felt that was a bad time to get out like that, and Stokes with two single-figure scores in the game.”
Atherton remains positive on England’s effort, but Nasser Hussain believes England missed a big opportunity
Atherton was still positive of England’s cricket despite this being their third-straight winless Test series after drawing 1-1 in New Zealand and 2-2 in the home Ashes. He believes that this tour has not been the kind of shambles we saw in Australia soon before Stokes and McCullum took over.
“When we were down-under in Australia for the last Ashes, I felt that was a bit of a schemozzle,” said Atherton. “The tour unravelled… England got their tactics and their strategy wrong. They played timidly and meekly, and were just smashed off the park.
“I don’t really feel that about this tour. I feel they’ve given a pretty good account of themselves. They haven’t done that badly with the cricket that they’ve played.”
“I don’t think they’ve done that badly at all,” Hussain replied. “There is context in both directions. India, 17 series in a row at home they’ve won, that’s how difficult they are to beat in those conditions.
“But I sit here at home and see it as a missed opportunity in as much as there is no Virat Kohli, there is no Mohammed Shami, there is no Rishabh Pant. For most of the series there is no KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah rested, Jadeja injured, Ashwin has to leave for a day of Test cricket.
“There were opportunities there.”
You can watch the full review with Atherton and Hussain on Sky Sports Cricket’s YouTube channel below:
Cricket News: A look at four instances where England lost a Test match after sitting in a strong position under Stokes & McCullum
When Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over as Test captain and coach, England were in a mess. They had one win in 17 matches with a 1-0 loss in the West Indies the final straw, soon after they were embarrassed 4-0 in the Ashes. Before that, India took a 2-1 lead in their four-match series in 2021 (which was completed in 2022), two months after England refused to attempt a 273-run chase in 70 overs against New Zealand at home.
Since then, England have played their Test cricket with a renewed sense of belief. Stokes and McCullum promised attacking cricket, backed by no fear of failure. The approach reaped immediate rewards in the 2022 home summer, brushing New Zealand aside 3-0, hammering South Africa in the final two Tests, and executing a chase of 378 against India in dominating fashion.
However, it was the 3-0 series win in Pakistan that was arguably most impressive of the lot. Faced with very flat surfaces – the kind that took Australia 15 days to seal a 1-0 series win in early 2022 – England went on the attack and had only winning in mind.
But, over the past year, England have let opportunities slip in big Test matches against New Zealand, Australia, and India. At times, they have let the commitment to Bazball get in the way of playing the situation and setting the game up for victory. Here is a look at four such matches.
4 times England let a Test match slip through their grasp due to questionable decision making under Stokes and McCullum
2nd Test vs. New Zealand, Wellington, 2023
England blew New Zealand away in the first Test of their two-match series in early 2023. They scored at well over five an over in their totals of 325/9d and 374, eventually hammering the Black Caps by 267 runs.
Things were going in a similar direction in the second Test. England clobbered 435/8d at 4.99 per over, before knocking New Zealand over for 209. However, England’s desire to think out of the box gave the Black Caps their only avenue of getting back in the Test – by following on.
Stokes, McCullum, and England may have soon realised their mistake. The Basin Reserve track flattened out as it often does midway through a Test, and the hosts took advantage. Openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway put on 149 for the opening stand, before Kane Williamson (132), Tom Blundell (54) and Daryl Mitchell (54) drove New Zealand to 483.
England under Stokes and McCullum: Kane Williamson drove the England bowling attack into the ground.
With momentum now against them after being in such a strong position, England needed 258 to win. They fell to 80/5 courtesy of panicked, brainless cricket, but then recovered to 201/5 thanks to Joe Root and Stokes. However, Neil Wagner produced an inspired spell after a very difficult series personally, sealing a remarkable one-run win.
England under Stokes and McCullum: Williamson and Wagner embrace.
1st Test vs. Australia, Edgbaston, 2023
Again, England’s desire to think out of the box hurt them. Joe Root, seeing them like beach balls, was not out on 118 as day one neared its close. Ollie Robinson looked completely untroubled for his 17 as the pair put on 43 runs at nearly a run-a-ball.
Pat Cummins and Australia were looking worse for wear. They had done quite a bit of leather chasing as England scored at 5.03 an over, and it seemed they were waiting for stumps to come as their respite.
However, Stokes provided the respite. The England captain no doubt did what Australia would rather him do, declaring at 393/8 and leaving at least another 30 runs out in the middle.
England under Stokes and McCullum: Joe Root was in superb touch at Edgbaston.
Fast forward to England’s second innings. Australia, courtesy of Usman Khawaja’s fine century, got to within seven of England’s 393. England again looked good with the bat. However, some poor stokeplay in the desire to play the Bazball way ensured they finished with 273, again giving the feeling they left a few out there.
Perhaps the greatest indication in the difference of the mindset between England and Australia is the interaction between Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting. Pietersen was raving about how Root was owning the game, but he had already been dismissed for 46 with England only 136 ahead at that point. “Well, he’s out now, he got 40,” Ponting put bluntly.
Peak alpha stuff from Punter here that @gradecricketer would be proud of:
✅ speaks only in sidemouth while looking disinterested ✅ Shuts down some waffle in one sentence ✅ Rounds down the oppositions score
Now to Australia’s chase of 283. The visitors looked gone at 227/8. But, Stokes decided to keep Joe Root bowling instead of bringing on James Anderson and Stuart Broad earlier. Instead, Cummins swung the momentum rapidly, hitting 14 runs off the 83rd over to bring the target below 50.
Eventually, Australia got home by two wickets, leaving England “feeling as though they won.” But, like New Zealand, they didn’t.
It was without a doubt their awful batting in the first innings after Nathan Lyon tore his calf. Sitting at 188/1 in pursuit of Australia’s 416 on a flat pitch in bathing sunshine, England gifted wicket after wicket, falling into Cummins’ short-ball trap instead of playing the situation.
This is not to say you shouldn’t play with freedom. However, freedom should also entail game awareness. It should give you the clarity of mind to understand that the opposition has lost the glue of their attack, and they’ll eventually change their short-ball ploy once they realise you aren’t really engaging with it.
Instead, England fell 91 behind Australia’s first innings score after which the visitors added a further 279. Despite Ben Stokes’ brilliance in front of a charged up Lord’s crowd following the Bairstow dismissal, England fell 43 short to lose another Test they should have won.
England under Stokes and McCullum: The Bairstow stumping was the big talking point at Lord’s.
4th Test vs. India, Ranchi, 2024
On a pitch that was turning and staying low, it was England’s game to lose as India fell to 177/7, still trailing by a huge 176 runs. But, England let things drift a little, allowing Dhruv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav to get into their innings, cutting that lead down to 100.
Jurel, in partnership with Akash Deep, then brought that deficit down to 60. In the end, the 176 with three wickets in hand turned to just 46.
That being said, a total of 250 or so would have mighty difficult to chase in the fourth innings. However, as has been the case in the past 12 months, England let the advantage slip. From 110/3 and leading by 156, England collapsed to 145, playing a number of low-percentage shots against good spin bowling.
Then, more poor decision making. England chose to open with Joe Root and Tom Hartley on the third evening, where openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal knocked off 40 with incredible ease. There was a nice buffet of half-vollies and full tosses, with England again overthinking things rather than looking at what’s best strategically.
England under Stokes and McCullum: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal knocked off a big portion of the target.
On day four, England were always outsiders even as they reduced India to 120/5 in pursuit of 192. Shubman Gill (52*) and man of the match Dhruv Jurel (39*) showed the calmness that has often eluded England in recent times, getting to the total courtesy of an unbroken 72-run stand under pressure.
——
Indeed, England not only had the aim of rejuvinating their own Test cricket, but getting the cricketing world talking about the format as a whole. They have played some excellent cricket under Stokes and McCullum, but playing the situation in key moments has eluded them.
England’s next assignment is the fifth Test at Dharamsala before they play six Tests at home later in the year against West Indies and Sri Lanka. With due respect, they are two teams you’d expect England to beat, but how they’ve fared in their two biggest series over the past six months leaves a bit to be desired given the missed opportunities.
