Overnight, New Zealand managed to do somehting which England have failed now to do for a very long time, which is to bat out the last day of a Test and hold on for a draw. In fairness, England are not alone in lacking that sort of dour resilience, but the fact remains that NZ managed something that you would not back England to do and in doing so, won this Test series.
Jonny Bairstow however thinks that England will begin the summer on an upward curve. He must be delusional in view of the uncertainties and questionmarks that surround this current England side. Neither the batting line up nor the bowling attack is remotely settled. The talismanic Stokes’ form and fitness are all over the shop and he has a lot on his plate. How long has Cook got? And Root too is failing to post big scores too often for comfort. On the bowling front, England remain far too dependent upon Broad and Anderson and seem frightened to make decisive decisions over the rest of the bowling. I could go on.
More interesting however were Bairstow’s observations on Root’s captaincy which amounted to little more than that the learning process had gone well over the winter. Might young JB think he could be doing a much better job? Watch this space?
SW
Sticky Wicket 