England's Summer of Cricket 2021

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2nd June-14th June: Two tests v New Zealand

23rd June-26th June: Three T20s v Sri Lanka
29th June-4th July: Three ODIs v Sri Lanka

8th July-13th July: Three ODIs v Pakistan
16th July-20th July: Three T20s V Pakistan

4th August-14th September: Five Tests v India

Been very tough to bat out there for the last 30 minutes; Wagner with a brilliant spell.

Crawley gone to Southee. He looks in zero form with the bat, it wasn't a good innings at all.

Slight flicker of hope for NZ now, especially if they get Root quickly. England will probably play it safe.

Aw well, Southee into the act straight away. Crawley with another loose shot, getting out in a similar way to the first innings.

I think if NZ could get one of these two before tea their chances of winning would be right back on the table. Would certainly cause some anxiety in the England box !

Crawley's foot movement has gone at the moment and looks susceptible to anything slightly wide. His technique is simple and correct so should be easy to remedy but we shall see.

How would the England captain play it? If they are to pull off a remarkable comeback, he has to mostly do it. But he's also their best bet even in defending this top class bowling as well. They need him to stay there, either way. Will he try to play out the next couple of hours and then evaluate? Or will he look to stay positive, so that the RRR is not going to be completely out of reach?

Though he hasn't played a shot in anger and hasn't faced much bowling, Root already looking a touch above the rest of the England lineup.

43 overs to get 8 wickets. One inspired spell could crack it for the Kiwis, as the pitch seems to be doing plenty, and the variable bounce has got highly noticeable over the past hour.

In a test match 20 years ago England lost 8 wickets in the final session to lose. It may happen again.

More than the pitch, its the swing factor that has come into the frame more significantly now. The pitch is playing more like a late 3rd day pitch, there is just that hint of life that should keep bowlers interested. No spin, and not much seem movement more often than not, but the bounce is a touch unpredictable and the pace is not been very consistent either.

But the ball is getting softer, and New Zealand wouldn't have a second new ball to take. Root's the man. So long as he's out there, England shouldn't worry too much. Let Sibley play his game and let him focus exclusively on keeping an end safe. Root I think, should play it largely defensively, but should take a few calculated chances now and then to wsignal to the fielding side that they can't have it all their way with the. And if they lose a couple early, they should send in Bracy and not Lawrence. Bracey is a top order bat isn't he?

Just hope the overhead conditions would continue to help the ball swing, so that England will have to earn their draw really. The moment the conditions changed, so much life was injected into the game! Can't just figure, how people who love test cricket, can tolerate flat pitches. They are the worst kind other than tracks that are too dangerous for players.

Following the game on cricinfo now, and they are suggesting that the sun is coming back on! That should kill the contest!

Neil Wagner is bowling beautifully here, and not in his short ball version. But think de Grandhomme might just be a better option, particularly when there still is some swing around and the ball not completely soft.

Shouldn't be any risk of losing 8 wickets in 43 overs. Shouldn't.

And England aren't scoring 220 odd either. Not unless Santner and Williamson bowl most of the overs...

I better keep watching though. Still remember that game against Pakistan...

Santner getting a few to do things. The bowlers are all putting in a good shift, but don't see England collapsing here. Root has decided to go with the approach of soaking in the pressure. Think with some life in the track and not the best of batting lineup at his disposal, that's the right way to go. Will check in another 20 minutes, though this is good to watch with the ball doing things. Too little, too late though.

Looks pretty safe from here. Handshake incoming in about 17 overs time.

Should Crawley be dropped for the next test? Hasn't had a good season with Kent, and had two woeful innings in this game.

There's not a lot of first class cricket coming up so dropping Crawley is a big risk long term.

Some will be disappointed that England made no attempt to chase the 273 ; but I think both captains had a better grasp of the realities of this game than a lot of commentators. Sure the pitch was pretty dead of day one ; but since then there has always been enough to interest the bowlers - and even from that first day scoring has not been particularly easy. Patient bats have prospered: over-keen stroke players generally haven't lasted too long . No reason to suppose thus would change on day five. Williamson tried to entice England into a foolhardy run chase with what appeared to be an early declaration - but they clearly had no intention of taking the bait.

Should be able to shake hands in an hour.

Soul Requiem wrote:There's not a lot of first class cricket coming up so dropping Crawley is a big risk long term.

In normal times I think he would be given a break. But with no obvious replacement in the squad I think he gets the next game. Won't play against India unless he gets runs there though so not much pressure

Yes, could be difficult for Crawley to get back in in the short-term if he's dropped, but I can't see anything other than two low scores if he plays the next test.

England's approach has been overly negative. Can understand why it's a disappointment to some.

Weather looks dry and warm for the five days at Edgbaston, so should be a positive result either way.

England getting a little bit of a move on. Don't really think the chase is on, but will keep New Zealand honest

Anyone complaining about Englands approach does not understand test cricket. Without a Pietersen type in the side it was never on.

Williamson's brought himself on to try and buy a wicket. Root seems to be in the mood to play a shot or 2 here, need to be careful.

Williamson hasn't got too many things right in this game. This is proving to be a rather fruitless declaration. Generously gifting England a chance that they didn't deserve. But England rightly opting for a more realistic approach, trying to ensure they don't lose. Just more miles on the legs of Southee, Wagner and Jamieson.
Boult is going to be available for the next test? Who would he come in for? Santner? If it is Santner going out for Boult, think they should bring Mitchell back in, or give young Ravindra an opportunity with Watling moving down to 7 and de Grandhomme benched. Seems Ravindra is highly rated, and he can bowl some spin as well.

England getting on to something? Root's not expecting a hand shake here, and there is a touch of urgency to even Sibley's batting! Time for the original, old ball Wagner?

I get they're coming off losses over the winter, and missing quite a few names. But given there's nothing riding on this, I'd have liked even a little intent tbh.

Wagner's back on, got a couple to move a touch, and Sibley is back to just guarding his wickets...

alfie wrote:Some will be disappointed that England made no attempt to chase the 273 ; but I think both captains had a better grasp of the realities of this game than a lot of commentators. Sure the pitch was pretty dead of day one ; but since then there has always been enough to interest the bowlers - and even from that first day scoring has not been particularly easy. Patient bats have prospered: over-keen stroke players generally haven't lasted too long . No reason to suppose thus would change on day five. Williamson tried to entice England into a foolhardy run chase with what appeared to be an early declaration - but they clearly had no intention of taking the bait.

Should be able to shake hands in an hour.

Hi Alfie - yeah, I don't disagree with any of that although I do also go along with Mikey Holding on Sky that England still could and should have been more positive from the start of their second dig. Not recklessly biffing for boundaries but looking more for singles and running quickly between the wickets. Very unlikely to have changed the result but it might have caused New Zealand to think they were in more of a contest and given the paying spectators (who should never be overlooked) a bit more vfm.

50 for Sibley.

Good for him to get some runs early in the test summer.

Anyway, barring something incredible, time to prepare my MotM presentation.

Not too tricky, at least for me. Award goes to Conway for his double ton on debut which did so much to safeguard New Zealand's position in the game.

Call outs to Southee for his clever and consistent bowling including a fist innings sixfer and to Robinson for an impressive and valuable performance with bat and ball throughout his debut Test together with much resolve.

Hi guildford  Agree I'd like to have seen more singles : but Burns and Sibley probably aren't known for that in the manner of Root...think they were both just set on staying in.
Williamson bowling himself and Santner allowed a few runs there to create the illusion of "could make a dash at seven per over for the last twenty" ... But the dismissal of Root has settled that I think.
Sibley at least has done himself some good with time at the crease today even if he's not been exactly thrill a minute to watch...fifty up at last
Presume they will still be finishing in another three overs so hopefully Pope doesn't get out unnecessarily ...

Not sure why they're taking drinks ? Surely this is a nailed on draw now ?

Why are they carrying on? NZ haven't looked interested for the past hour, even when getting Root out.

Got no issue with England’s approach here - getting out of this game where they’ve clearly been second best and on the back foot since losing the toss on a good batting track, with a draw (weather helped of course), is absolutely fine in my book - and with the lack of form/experience in the batting lineup, even attempting to risk it could’ve triggered a collapse, similar to the first innings.

Good to see Sibley get some time in the middle - agree that Crawley’s form is a touch concerning, but wouldn’t be discarding players after one game

So on we go...

Must want to work mind games on Pope - and potentially Lawrence/Bracey before the next match. Or his bowlers want a bit more practice.

Think trying to be a bit proactive could've been useful in the long term for some of the younger batsmen. As it is, not sure England have really learned anything about their young team

People might say commendable spirit from New Zealand and all that. Think Williamson has chosen to be adventurous for no good reason. The only time England looked a touch vulnerable was when the ball was swinging for the New Zealand quicks around the 25 over mark. Santner got a couple to turn, there was a bit of unpredictable bounce. But on this track, there was no point making his bowlers going through a major shift... And though it was good aggressive cricket to declare when he did, playing on into the last 15 is just not making sense. They have another test straight, and then the WTC final. No need to risk an injury for one of the quicks.

Williamson is giving Pope some much needed time out in the middle, still doesn't look quite right to me. He's very jittery at the moment and his game which is all about instinct doesn't look natural, the timing isn't there at all.

The last thing that Root and the England coaches would have wanted is Lawrence and Bracey having an awkward period out in the middle.

A few things to look forward to the next test.
Will England team management persist with the demand for flat pitches? For reasons I mentioned, I think it is going to be a poor strategy, especially if Root doesn't lucky with the toss.
How would combinations work out? Will Anderson or Broad be rested? Both of them didn't have very impressive games by their standards. Think it might be better to play them both for the next game, or bring someone like Overton in, for Broad is one is to sit out. Would it be Stone in for Wood as they usually don't play him in back-to-back tests? Was impressed by the former earlier in the year, is surely worth a go. Will they trust Leach to give him a game or be going in with Root as their led spinner? Just doesn't make sense with their flat pitch strategy one bit. Will Crawley be dropped? Think it'll be harsh and unwarranted despite the twin failures as they aren't exactly full of options at the moment.
As for New Zealand, Boult should be back? For Santner or de Grandhomme? As I said, would have them both dropped. CDG hasn't done much wrong in his designated role with the ball but was part of the first innings collapse with the bat, and with Boult back to lead the attack, they will have all their top 4 first choice quicks available, making his bowling less of a factor. Daryl Mitchell has had a good start to his test career, and though he's not as good as de Grandhomme with the ball, is a decent fill-in, and seems a much better batsman. Rachin Ravindra is talked up as next big thing in New Zealand cricket. His FC record is good and nothing special. But if he's to get an early look in at test cricket, perhaps he can come in at 6 with Watling moving down to 7, and the additional benefit is that Ravindra's spin bowling can also be used, can't be too bad than that of Santner?

Root not sure about Robinson being available for the next match. Interesting... Think if that's the case, Anderson should play, with Stone in for Wood, Leach for Broad, and Overton in for Lawrence? So if Leach proves as awful as he's projected to be in the first innings, they do have cover. And Overton can bat a bit as well.

Overton isn't a number 7, not by a mile. He's a Test number 8 at a push, number 9 ideally. I'd say he's a slightly better bat than Robinson, or at least hits the ball well enough to be better.

Unless Woakes is parachuted into the squad then getting a 5th bowling option with Stokes would leave a horrible tail.

Broad's vice captain for the NZ Tests as well so unlikely to be dropped.

I think the top 7 will stay the same through lack of alternatives.

The bowling will depend entirely on the pitch I'd guess.

Ridiculous decision by England.

Not really sure why an investigation is needed. The tweets are there. The only thing that would need investigating is whether he shows genuine contrition - but he has been sent away. Just seems like posturing.

What a bloody nonsense. Suspended from international cricket for doing something:

a) That happened when he wasn't an international cricketer.
b) That happened 9 years ago.
c) That isn't even a cricketing matter.

Utterly pathetic, but knew it was coming when I heard Root's contemptible post-match comments.

Feel immense sympathy for Robinson who has been hung out to dry by his captain and the ECB. He should never have apologised to the mob, but was doubtless forced to.

He shouldn't have apologised for racist and misogynistic comments? The only reason he wouldn't apologise for those comments would be if he still saw nothing wrong with them. In which case he'd still be a racist and a misogynist. In which case good riddance.

For the record I think he probably has changed a lot from those days. When at Yorkshire he had issues with his attitude in cricket, turned up to the wrong ground for a game, etc. Since joining Sussex he's clearly grown up and worked his arse off. His attitude to cricket suggests he's matured and I'd hope he has outside of cricket as well.

Whether an investigation is required, hence whether a ban 'whilst the matter is investigated' makes any sense is certainly up for debate as JD says. I see no reason that Robinson shouldn't apologise though. Yes, it was 9 years ago. Yes, he was 18-years-old. He was still an adult though, the comments are vile and deserving of condemnation.

How long ago they were and his age are need to be taken into consideration but the number of fans who seem to have more of an issue with Root condemning Robinson's tweets than the tweets themselves probably sums up why I believe it's so important to take harsh action against bigotry.

My issue, similar to JDs it would seem, is that banning him whilst an investigation is performed somewhat muddies the waters. The tweets are there, we know what they say. He should be given a defined sanction (i.e. a specific number of Tests) and be done with it. Then Robinson can move on and learn from the situation rather than waiting for investigation when I'm not really sure what is being investigated.

king_carlos wrote:He shouldn't have apologised for racist and misogynistic comments? The only reason he wouldn't apologise for those comments would be if he still saw nothing wrong with them. In which case he'd still be a racist and a misogynist. In which case good riddance.

For the record I think he probably has changed a lot from those days. When at Yorkshire he had issues with his attitude in cricket, turned up to the wrong ground for a game, etc. Since joining Sussex he's clearly grown up and worked his arse off. His attitude to cricket suggests he's matured and I'd hope he has outside of cricket as well.

Whether an investigation is required, hence whether a ban 'whilst the matter is investigated' makes any sense is certainly up for debate as JD says. I see no reason that Robinson shouldn't apologise though. Yes, it was 9 years ago. Yes, he was 18-years-old. He was still an adult though, the comments are vile and deserving of condemnation.

How long ago they were and his age are need to be taken into consideration but the number of fans who seem to have more of an issue with Root condemning Robinson's tweets than the tweets themselves probably sums up why I believe it's so important to take harsh action against bigotry.

My issue, similar to JDs it would seem, is that banning him whilst an investigation is performed somewhat muddies the waters. The tweets are there, we know what they say. He should be given a defined sanction (i.e. a specific number of Tests) and be done with it. Then Robinson can move on and learn from the situation rather than waiting for investigation when I'm not really sure what is being investigated.

No, he shouldn't have apologised for a few juvenile jokes he wrote when he was a teenager. Neither should he have been humiliated for his tweets in front of the world, and hung out to dry by his captain and the ECB.

Robinson's tweets aren't an example of bigotry; they're an example of someone being 'edgy' in front of their friends with the sort of humour that persists all over the Internet.

The irony of all this is that Robinson is likely to be replaced by Craig Overton, someone who has never apologised (to my knowledge) for a racially abusive comment directed at a fellow professional.

Duty281 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:He shouldn't have apologised for racist and misogynistic comments? The only reason he wouldn't apologise for those comments would be if he still saw nothing wrong with them. In which case he'd still be a racist and a misogynist. In which case good riddance.

For the record I think he probably has changed a lot from those days. When at Yorkshire he had issues with his attitude in cricket, turned up to the wrong ground for a game, etc. Since joining Sussex he's clearly grown up and worked his arse off. His attitude to cricket suggests he's matured and I'd hope he has outside of cricket as well.

Whether an investigation is required, hence whether a ban 'whilst the matter is investigated' makes any sense is certainly up for debate as JD says. I see no reason that Robinson shouldn't apologise though. Yes, it was 9 years ago. Yes, he was 18-years-old. He was still an adult though, the comments are vile and deserving of condemnation.

How long ago they were and his age are need to be taken into consideration but the number of fans who seem to have more of an issue with Root condemning Robinson's tweets than the tweets themselves probably sums up why I believe it's so important to take harsh action against bigotry.

My issue, similar to JDs it would seem, is that banning him whilst an investigation is performed somewhat muddies the waters. The tweets are there, we know what they say. He should be given a defined sanction (i.e. a specific number of Tests) and be done with it. Then Robinson can move on and learn from the situation rather than waiting for investigation when I'm not really sure what is being investigated.

No, he shouldn't have apologised for a few juvenile jokes he wrote when he was a teenager. Neither should he have been humiliated for his tweets in front of the world, and hung out to dry by his captain and the ECB.

Robinson's tweets aren't an example of bigotry; they're an example of someone being 'edgy' in front of their friends with the sort of humour that persists all over the Internet.

The irony of all this is that Robinson is likely to be replaced by Craig Overton, someone who has never apologised (to my knowledge) for a racially abusive comment directed at a fellow professional.

Absolutely ridiculous. 

Of course he should apologise and of course they're an example of bigotry. That he is in a position where he thinks talking about people of other races is just banter and edgy is his own stupidity and racism. It's racist to think it's acceptable to joke like that, especially publicly! His intention to be edgy doesnt matter. 

He's allowed to change and grow, so I am unsure whether a ban is right. But then I'm not a wronged party in this, so to speak. 

At the end of the day, his punishment is not being able to go to work and make more money and have a more famous public image. He'll be fine. 

I found his apology uncomfortable - but then it would be - and a little bit like Sky and the ECB were panicked together and threw that out there.

I echo Dolphs response.

The tweets are bigoted. Are there many for more abominable examples of bigotry out there, absolutely. The tweets are still a form of bigotry though.

Root and the ECB didn't hang Robinson out to dry. His own moronic behaviour, albeit in the past, has hung Robinson out to dry.

I strongly felt at the time that Overton's comments deserved far greater sanction. A two match ban for accumulative offences with that incident simply being reported as a level 1 offence was disgusting. Given that the umpire and Yardy as well as Zaidi heard the same thing Overton's claim that he didn't say it never washed. If that happened now, with greater focus on these issues, then I wager Overton would face a far harsher and deserved punishment. Which in some ways is progress.

Trial by media is not progress.

Soul Requiem wrote:Trial by media is not progress.

Where have I suggested trial by media?

I've suggested that Overton getting a 2 match ban for accumulative disciplinary offences in a season when Zaidi, Michael Yardy and Alex Wharf reported the exact same comment is a joke of a sanction and should have been much harsher. If the same incident occurred now with 3 witnesses including an umpire (hence impartial) I believe it would be punished more fittingly.

Overton's comments didn't become public until 3 months after his 2 match ban for a level one offence which came after previous disciplinary offences in the same season. The specific comments in a situation such as that shouldn't be made public until after the sanctioning has been handed out, to avoid trial by media. The ECBs disciplinary process should have handed out far more than a 2 match ban for that long before the specifics hit the papers.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:He shouldn't have apologised for racist and misogynistic comments? The only reason he wouldn't apologise for those comments would be if he still saw nothing wrong with them. In which case he'd still be a racist and a misogynist. In which case good riddance.

For the record I think he probably has changed a lot from those days. When at Yorkshire he had issues with his attitude in cricket, turned up to the wrong ground for a game, etc. Since joining Sussex he's clearly grown up and worked his arse off. His attitude to cricket suggests he's matured and I'd hope he has outside of cricket as well.

Whether an investigation is required, hence whether a ban 'whilst the matter is investigated' makes any sense is certainly up for debate as JD says. I see no reason that Robinson shouldn't apologise though. Yes, it was 9 years ago. Yes, he was 18-years-old. He was still an adult though, the comments are vile and deserving of condemnation.

How long ago they were and his age are need to be taken into consideration but the number of fans who seem to have more of an issue with Root condemning Robinson's tweets than the tweets themselves probably sums up why I believe it's so important to take harsh action against bigotry.

My issue, similar to JDs it would seem, is that banning him whilst an investigation is performed somewhat muddies the waters. The tweets are there, we know what they say. He should be given a defined sanction (i.e. a specific number of Tests) and be done with it. Then Robinson can move on and learn from the situation rather than waiting for investigation when I'm not really sure what is being investigated.

No, he shouldn't have apologised for a few juvenile jokes he wrote when he was a teenager. Neither should he have been humiliated for his tweets in front of the world, and hung out to dry by his captain and the ECB.

Robinson's tweets aren't an example of bigotry; they're an example of someone being 'edgy' in front of their friends with the sort of humour that persists all over the Internet.

The irony of all this is that Robinson is likely to be replaced by Craig Overton, someone who has never apologised (to my knowledge) for a racially abusive comment directed at a fellow professional.

Absolutely ridiculous. 

Of course he should apologise and of course they're an example of bigotry. That he is in a position where he thinks talking about people of other races is just banter and edgy is his own stupidity and racism. It's racist to think it's acceptable to joke like that, especially publicly! His intention to be edgy doesnt matter. 

He's allowed to change and grow, so I am unsure whether a ban is right. But then I'm not a wronged party in this, so to speak. 

At the end of the day, his punishment is not being able to go to work and make more money and have a more famous public image. He'll be fine. 

I found his apology uncomfortable - but then it would be - and a little bit like Sky and the ECB were panicked together and threw that out there.

I agree you shouldn't joke like that publicly, that's the main error here, but I disagree that such jokes are unacceptable. No form of humour is, in my view, unacceptable.

I'm sure Robinson will be fine, but it's a concerning precedent to set for banning players from international cricket for things that happened before they were even international cricketers.

I agree with your last sentence and I find that a further mockery of the whole situation - Robinson's apology wasn't genuine, as is the same for many people who are forced to hastily apologise, so what was the point of the whole charade?