England's winter of cricket 2024/25

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Mousley is really fun to watch. I've no idea if there's longevity in what he's doing. I'm really happy that England are giving it a go though.

Yorkers from seamers have become less regular at the death as the margin for error is so small. It always was a small margin, but, if you hit it, then it couldn't get hit. Shots like the scoop changed that though. There's plenty of batters who can now turn a very good yorker into a boundary behind square on either side. Yorkers are still a weapon, but it's in an arsenal with other options. As opposed to guys like Flintoff who had a brilliant ODI record and rep as a death bowler largely by trying to bowl 5 yorkers an over.

Mousley bowling 75 mph yorkers off 3 paces in the Hundred was both effective and just really intriguing. Logically, 'spinners' are usually more accurate than seamers. The tiny run up that he flies through gives less time for a batter to shift their feet, look to scoop, etc. Plus, if they shape to scoop very early, then Mousley can take all the pace off, bowl a regular off-break and there's suddenly not enough there for the batter to work with. It's really interesting.

Part of me suspects that he might be found out. Trying to bowl yorkers off 3 paces like that, all from the shoulder, he does seem liable to bowl full tosses more often than others. Might batters adjust to the tiny runup and basically play him like a 75mph medium pacer bowling off a regular, longer runup? If Paul Collingwood was doing the same thing at the death off his runup then he'd be hit into space! Mousley really isn't putting much action on the ball either. It does seem to just be rapid arm balls. They've been very effective at times though. He might prove to be a one trick pony that gets worked out.

As said though, I'm just glad they're giving him the chance to find out either way. I really wish they'd done that with Benny Howell when he was at his peak. There was a period when Howell's stats in the middle overs were absurd. He was a similarly odd bowler. His cricinfo page says "right-arm medium". In reality, he was a 'quick spinner'. He had about a dozen slower balls that did different things. Many were genuinely deviating off the pitch too. Batters just couldn't hit him for a long period. He was very tough to get away square due to the pace. He bowled wicket to wicket with smart fields, got a ton of players caught at long-on and long-off with miss hits down the ground from the battery of slower balls. Some would dip. Some would turn. Batters couldn't line him up. England just weren't interested at that point in some weird medium pacer though, sadly. I think that Howell bowling in tandem with Dilly in the middle overs of T20i's could've been a brilliant weapon.

I'm glad they're having a look at something different this time. He shouldn't have played the ODIs but that's the schedule and having a T20 squad for 50 over games, so obviously not Mousley's fault!

There it is. Good yorker from Carse who was once again impressive.

It's swinging a decent bit this morning. Apparently the local wisdom is that it swings more when it's a bit cooler, like today. I'd expect Henry in particular to be a handful in these conditions.

Phillips is developing a knack of contributing with the bat when his team needs him. His offies have got remarkable figures so far in Tests too. He's just a very good cricketer. One of the best fielders in the game. Good across red and white ball. Bowls. Used to keep. His stroke play means he can move the game on rapidly too. Quality player and very likable.

348ao but with it doing a bit for England to start their first dig. I'd say the game is very well poised there. Pretty even. Maybe I'd fractionally lean towards runs on the board. These NZ surfaces often die down a bit in the middle of Tests though.

Well, Southee got a lot of movement in that first over. Crawley didn't have an answer.

Going to be a very testing passage of play. The top three need to try and ensure Root isn't walking out until at least fifteen overs have elapsed.

Stop. Picking. Crawley.

I love watching Matt Henry bowl. Just full and challenging the stumps and both edges of the bat. Can’t believe it took him as long to crack Test cricket as it did.

so not watched any county cricket for a long long time. why we got a lad averaging 25 coming in at 3?

compelling and rich wrote:so not watched any county cricket for a long long time. why we got a lad averaging 25 coming in at 3?

He was England's only reserve bat in the squad, and Cox got injured just before the first test.

He's at 3 because Pope has taken the gloves and dropped to 6, and Stokes clearly doesn't fancy 3.

Duty281 wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:so not watched any county cricket for a long long time. why we got a lad averaging 25 coming in at 3?

He was England's only reserve bat in the squad, and Cox got injured just before the first test.

He's at 3 because Pope has taken the gloves and dropped to 6, and Stokes clearly doesn't fancy 3.

cheers duty, never heard of him and not followed much coverage leading into this. thought it was strange for a nightwatchman to come in after 6 overs in first session

15/1 after 8.

This is good from these two. Nice and watchful. Leaving plenty. Get through the overs and ensure Root/Brook are taking on a softer ball with bowlers into their second spells.

yeah its doing a fair bit, see this out and it will get easier. although overhead looks very helpful still

It genuinely feels slightly odd seeing two lefties batting together for England. It's been an increasingly RHB heavy line-up. With Duckett and Stokes generally separated by a lot of spots in the order.

There was the Mo batting at 3 period in the Ashes, but, I think he only batted with Crawley in that series, not Duckett. I do remember a Mo and Stokes partnership in his 3rd Test after his recall.

It doesn't happen much in recent years. Especially two genuine left-handed batters together. We've had a few bowlers who are LHB. It's a different type of partnership to watch when Stokes is hogging the strike from Leach or Jimmy though. A far cry from years of the Trescothick/Strauss followed by Strauss/Cook opening partnerships that were all LHB. A decent number of the failed/discarded openers down the years were lefties too. Carberry. Burns. Jennings. Lyth. Lees. Malan and Ballance got a decent number of Tests at 3 as well.

I accept that this is just drivel. There's no analysis here. Nothing pertinent to the game. It came to mind though when for some reason my brain was surprised to see Bethell also set up leftie. I know that's how he bats of course. I've seen him do it a fair few times now. When Duckett got off strike, my brain just waited for the right-hander to setup though. Pavlov's dog stuff.

Duty281 wrote:15/1 after 8.

This is good from these two. Nice and watchful. Leaving plenty. Get through the overs and ensure Root/Brook are taking on a softer ball with bowlers into their second spells.

It's been really well measured in fairness.

If being harsh, I feel that Southee and Henry have given them too many to leave whilst it's moving so much. Perhaps a touch wide to the lefties. Waiting for a mistake. Which isn't necessarily a poor tactic when Duckett leaves so few balls for an opener. There also a danger of letting this period with a new ball and conducive conditions slip by a bit though.

I'm very curious to see what O'Rourke's height gets from the pitch in terms of uneven bounce.

Bethell does set up really well for such an inexperienced player. He's got a great eye, really good technique and seems to have a good temperament. His defence is very solid. He isn't a white ball 'hitter'. He's a proper batter who happens to have the power and range of shots to shine in T20s. I still wouldn't have him at 3 here, I think Stokes should be up the order as previously said. I'd also have had a more experienced reserve bat there even if Bethell was on tour for experience.

Since seeing more of Bethell, it reminds me a bit of when Brook was selected for the Lions with a dire F-C record, having not seen him bat I made some jokey comments about it. Then I saw Brook play and realised that there's a proper talent there. He went on that insane tear at the start of the next county summer. Bethell's the sort of talent that I could see scoring a lot of runs in the CC very soon. I reckon he's a proper red ball talent, not a Jason Roy or Alex Hales style pick.

well done KC, well and truly gave him the curse there

tbf, it was a fantastic delivery

I've been surprised O'Rourke hasn't had an over before lunch.

Ah, Bethell goes. Some solid defence in his knock, head over the ball and very mindful, but he just tickles one behind. Smith gets his first test wicket.

Chance to have a few balls at Root before lunch.

Looks like I cursed him there. That's a beauty from Smith to be fair to Bethell. Bang on the line and length you have to play, angling in from round the wicket, goes off the seam just enough. Not much you can with that. Very good bowling.

Uh oh. Two no balls, followed by a chop on. Brutal end to what was so close to being a good session for England. Two quick wickets in the final over and the ball is firmly in New Zealand's court now. Plenty of pressure on Duckett and Brook when they come out after lunch!

I'm going to try to turn in there.

Oh f**k. That's a hammer blow. England go from a solid platform to reeling in the space of five deliveries (three legal).

Wonder how close Smith was to overstepping on Bethell's dismissal? They certainly took a while looking at it.

But it was some fine bowling from Smith on debut, excellent length, and justified to give him the ball ahead of O'Rourke.

Duckett + Brook, then the out of form Pope and Stokes, then the tail, is what's left. But Woakes/Atkinson/Carse can all be useful. It would be really nice if Brook can make some runs in a challenging situation.

Smith and O'Rourke in tandem after the resumption.

Smith, highly impressive start, also showing he's got a good bouncer in his arsenal. O'Rourke's pace generating extra bounce off the pitch.

Duckett's been fortunate to survive in this session. Few edges landing safe/reaching the rope.

71/3.

Ah, Duckett's fortune is no more. An ugly swipe carries to the man in the deep. He's been frustrated in this session and played some ugly cricket, now he's gone.

71/4. This is trouble. Pope out at 6.

Should be three for Smith, Phillips has dropped Brook. Bad miss.

106/4 at drinks. Brook and Pope moving the score along, but neither looking especially comfortable. Both are getting tested v the short ball.

Have been in and out today so missed a fair bit of the play (though saw that fateful Smith over before lunch !). Thought the NZ bowlers bowled just a little better in terms of line and length than England did the day before , though probably not a great deal in it....difference being England's Williamson equivalent didn't get started. These two look to be settling things down a bit now (crossed fingers) at 122/4 ; and I wonder if NZ may regret the absence of a regular spin option as the ball softens ? Just missed the drop of Brook....might be rather important. Phillips paying the cricket gods back for his own good fortune on zero yesterday ? Oh ...Brook's lucky day ! That was a pretty standard chance to Latham...

England riding their luck close to tea..Pope fortunate to survive an lbw shout then : looked good live to me , but the NZ appeal lacked conviction and the umpire wasn't interested. Tracking shows it clipping top of stumps, so would have stayed not out had they referred it anyway ; but a near thing. Anyway Pope has now joined his partner in passing 50 , and the hundred stand has arrived...very welcome for the tourists !

Part time spin to round out the session : Phillips with an over of modest slow ones and England go to tea exactly half way , 174/4 , at a good rate now as only 41 overs down. Pope 59 , Brook 53. Good session for England, though not without some scares along the way. Game remains fairly even and looks likely to be a good contest.

Excellent if fortunate at times partnership ended at 151 by a terrific catch : contrast to a number of sloppy drops. So Pope had to go for 77. But Brook and Stokes have taken the score on to 261 just after drinks , and the former has just reached his hundred with a classical cut for four...Game moving on nicely.

In 20 overs since tea , they've added 88 for the loss of Pope. Brook has done most of the scoring , Stokes fairly restrained so far , 12 from 34. NZ seamers having to work hard - though there are four of them so can spread it around a bit. Brook continues to benefit from the luck of the ...whatever...glances behind , easy catch dropped by the keeper , ball goes for four : the joke being the umpire then gave it as leg byes ! Quickly followed by an inside edge narrowly avoiding the stumps and four more...no justice for O'Rourke. 274/5

Smith , the new Kiwi seamer , bagged a couple of wickets before lunch , including the big one of Root . But he's rather gone round the park since...2/70 from 14. Stemming the flow of runs proving difficult for NZ in this session: 122 added now from 26 ,overs , and Stokes starting to get into gear , 24 now from 48. Within 54 of that NZ score , half an hour to go...

Oh dear... Latham - and his team generally - having a horror day in the field. Immediately after unfurling a wonderful cover drive for four to move to 30 , Stokes slaps the next ball hard but straight to his opposite number at cover...and down it went. At least five dropped now , mostly regulation. Pope might count himself unlucky to have fallen to an absolute screamer by Phillips at backward point. 309/5

This pair have added 95 already and England are closing on that NZ total rather quickly. Still 7 overs to a new ball , though only two more likely tonight....maybe only one. Two very good sessions for England after a very shaky start. And the run rate quite impressive , especially considering a slowish outfield. Poor NZ catching a big factor , of course ; but still good batting And that is stumps at 319/5 , 74 overs , Brook 132 , Stokes 37. England definitely on top...at least for now.

The scorecard suggests a good day for eng after stuttering at 70-4
Seems there was a costly drop of Brook.
Double hundred for Brook and a 100 for Stokes trajectory for tomm?
If pitch lacks seam or spin, a 550 is likely .

And then NZ would be forced to find heaters and manufacture a Rank turner for T2

For the 2nd day running, New Zealand absolutely let slip a chance to take control of the game. On day one it was all about a number of softest of soft dismissals. Today it has been a chain of drops. They were just absolutely horrible in the field today. That has given England the advantage going into day 3. England should be hoping for a significant first innings lead. Pitch still very much holding together.
I see Oliver Pope has a score of some significance upon the board. Has to ensure he plays for the next year or so!
Harry Brook had bit of a tough time after that triple. He has consumed away a bagful of luck today, but at the end of the day he has another test hundred that saved his side from a serious crisis.
Debutant Nathan Smith was quite impressive, and equally unlucky with the ball. Seems like one for the future...

KP_fan wrote:The scorecard suggests a good day for eng after stuttering at 70-4
Seems there was a costly drop of Brook.
Double hundred for Brook and a 100 for Stokes trajectory for tomm?
If pitch lacks seam or spin, a 550 is likely .

And then NZ would be forced to find heaters and manufacture a Rank turner for T2

They dropped more than they caught. Really pathetic show on field. The skipper leading from the front, and even Glen Phillips, only next to Ravindra Jadeja on field, put one down!

Is it time for NZ to have a think about the wicketkeeper position? Tom Blundell sseemed a worthy successor to BJ Watling. But for some time now, he has been poor behind the stumps, and his batting output has also been going down, and hasn't played an innings of substance at least from the time of the Sri Lanka series. Missed a few chances as well during this time. Who is next in line to take over the gloves?

msp83 wrote:

KP_fan wrote:The scorecard suggests a good day for eng after stuttering at 70-4
Seems there was a costly drop of Brook.
Double hundred for Brook and a 100 for Stokes trajectory for tomm?
If pitch lacks seam or spin, a 550 is likely .

And then NZ would be forced to find heaters and manufacture a Rank turner for T2

They dropped more than they caught. Really pathetic show on field. The skipper leading from the front, and even Glen Phillips, only next to Ravindra Jadeja on field,  put one down!

True but Phillips rather redeemed himself with that catch of Pope ... a strong candidate for catch of the year at least.

Just caught up on the days play - thought Pope batted really nicely generally, shame most of the country will have missed it asleep, and he got the wrong end of the catching from the Kiwis today

Hosts have been generous with bat and ball, but England have taken advantage so far. Thought Duckett and Bethell did ok to see out some time when things were tough with it being overcast, which has meant Brook/Pope/Stokes came in against a older ball and when things were nicer weather wise. Bethell shaped up ok, albeit obviously no runs (thanks KC eh )

319-5, deficit of 29 runs with Brook and Stokes at the crease, with a strong looking tail of Woakes/Carse/Atkinson to come. Big opportunity for England to bat into the afternoon tomorrow and get a lead of 100-150, which could be match defining.

Brook's away batting record is quite incredible at this point

Didn’t see any of the Pope knock and it does sound like he batted nicely - but already looking forward to the discourse about how he should be moved down the order as he looks more comfortable there. Ignoring how he was only moved to 3 because he was averaging 30 at 5/6 and looked completely clueless vs spin!

England's day, and England stay narrowly ahead, but only because of an utterly amateur day in the field by New Zealand.

Brook made 132*. If you woke up and saw that you'd think 'great innings'. But it was actually five innings! He was dropped four times, four, and all four should have been taken. None were difficult. The first of those was when Brook was on 16 or 18, I think, and if it had been taken England would have been around 80/5 and likely lost the test. And just to further compound it, they dropped Brook three more times.

There were some very nice shots from Brook. He loves playing behind square on the off side, a bit like Root, and the way he steered the ball into gaps for 2s and 3s was exemplary. Only 52 of his runs came in boundaries.

Pope made a jittery 77. Don't think he was ever really in control, but he stuck it out and got valuable runs. I think NZ missed a chance to bowl spin at him early, maybe with Ravindra. Agree there should be no talk of Pope staying at 6! Stokes gritted it out and provided valuable support, though he too should have been dismissed when a simple chance was put down.

The funny thing was Phillips took that worldie to dismiss Pope, after all those other misses!

Earlier, Duckett hit a wall in the afternoon after a good start to his knock, and Bethell went a little way to blunting the new ball with solid defence, but why on earth he's at 3 is beyond me. Crawley's 12 ball duck was pure hopelessness.

For NZ, Southee and Henry began really well with the new ball. But when it softened, and the sun came out, conditions were really batting friendly and they didn't make a great deal more impact. O'Rourke was the big danger with his extra pace, but he also served up a lot of wayward deliveries and ended with an economy over five. Smith began highly impressively with the new ball, and his lengths were masterful, but as the ball softened he became ineffective and bowled a little too short to make much impression.

It's really well poised. England trail by 29 with five left. NZ are going to come back refreshed tomorrow, and perhaps crucially will take possession of a new ball in six overs, and they'll fancy knocking England over before that lead touches 50. And if they do that they'll be ahead in the match. England need to try to take the lead to three figures because they'll be batting last. Still looks a very good batting wicket and England will have to work hard for their wickets tomorrow.

Overall, England a touch ahead, but NZ will be royally kicking themselves because they should have bowled out England on day two and have a let great chance slip...about four times.

Duty281 - There's me bigging up Crawley and he gets a duck.

Pleased Pope got some runs. You feel he could be quite devastating coming in at six. I've always thought Crawley, too, should bat lower down the order. Seeing Stokes coming in at seven, I would think, is pretty depressing for the opposition.

Saw some of the I v NZ series and it seemed that NZ missed very few catches. Looks like they saved the drops all up for today.

England will certainly want a reasonable lead. Forty or 50 is not really going to do it.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Just caught up on the days play - thought Pope batted really nicely generally, shame most of the country will have missed it asleep, and he got the wrong end of the catching from the Kiwis today

Hosts have been generous with bat and ball, but England have taken advantage so far. Thought Duckett and Bethell did ok to see out some time when things were tough with it being overcast, which has meant Brook/Pope/Stokes came in against a older ball and when things were nicer weather wise. Bethell shaped up ok, albeit obviously no runs (thanks KC eh )

319-5, deficit of 29 runs with Brook and Stokes at the crease, with a strong looking tail of Woakes/Carse/Atkinson to come. Big opportunity for England to bat into the afternoon tomorrow and get a lead of 100-150, which could be match defining.

Brook's away batting record is quite incredible at this point

I can only apologise, Olly. I did also refer to Phillips as one of the best fielders in cricket shortly before he shelled one off Brook. Double jinx. Though Phillips redeemed himself for that grab to remove Pope!

An odd day to catchup on. England certainly didn't deserve to be ahead based on the bowlers, who were mostly superb. Especially early doors. I did feel that Southee and Henry faded over the day. Understandably when you aren't getting the backing of the fielders. That's cricket though.

I'd agree that Pope batted pretty well. Rather than luckily. It was tough going when he first got in. He still looked skittish early doors, as he always does. His false shot percentage in the first 30 balls is very high. He put the pressure back on and scored quickly once more settled though. Whilst there can be downsides to them trying to score so quickly, I do think in those situations it can relieve pressure. As Alfie said, they got halfway to the NZ total rapidly, suddenly it doesn't look so terminal.

Given how good the bowlers were when he came in under pressure, I thought that Bethell did a good job of taking out some of those toughest overs. His technique is very good. Particularly his defence. He doesn't chase the ones that go away, like many younger players can. I'm not saying he's the finished article for making 10 of 34 balls. There's a lot to like in how he bats though.

Duty281 wrote:It's really well poised. England trail by 29 with five left. NZ are going to come back refreshed tomorrow, and perhaps crucially will take possession of a new ball in six overs, and they'll fancy knocking England over before that lead touches 50. And if they do that they'll be ahead in the match. England need to try to take the lead to three figures because they'll be batting last. Still looks a very good batting wicket and England will have to work hard for their wickets tomorrow.

The new ball will be important. I'd hope England can get well past a 50 run lead though. Woakes, Carse and Atkinson can all bat. Woakes in particular should suit these conditions too given he's such a front foot batter and generally plays seam well.

alfie wrote: ...

As you say , the pitches will probably be fairly flat - but rain can make a difference especially early in a match. The way England play draws are rather rare unless a lot of time is lost to the weather. One interesting point from team selections is that NZ seem happy to rely on part time spin while England are sticking with Bashir. Home teams usually have a better idea of how the pitches will play - we will see. Certainly the pace bowling of both sides looks adequate , and there is a fair degree of batting depth. A lot may come down to who holds their catches ?

Alfie - the only thing wrong with the bottom line of your post from Wednesday is that you haven't milked it.

Terrible, terrible fielding from New Zealand - which one worldie goes nowhere near to remedying.

The home side's continual misses have allowed the visitors to start day 3 on top and with a decent opportunity to significantly increase their hold on the game.

Apparently very overcast again. And of course NZ get that new ball in six overs.

I'm kinda resigned to England losing one of their two overnight batsman early, most probably Brook, because it always seems to happen that way, doesn't it? And if it does, NZ are into that tail.

England must battle to 450, but I fear it might not even be 400.

They've dropped Brook again. I genuinely don't believe it. It was another basic chance.

It seems Harry Brook has somehow acquired the lucky charm that used to belong to Marnus Labuschagne...I am sure the latter would love to have it back

England cut the NZ lead to one in that six over window without losing a wicket, although Brook really should have been dismissed (X5).

Southee and Henry have been kept back for the new ball and will be into the attack now.

Brook played a fair few shots, but it's actually a tame end, as NZ finally catch one.

381/6. Lead of 33.

Held one at last ! Bit of a tame end as Brook nibbles behind , coming after some audacious hitting. What a mix of an innings : 171/5 but in between chances a lot of sheer brilliance...Has put England in a very commanding position, already ahead by 34 and some fair late batting to come. If they can pick up Stokes as well , NZ have a window left to restrict the eventual deficit - but that window could close quickly the way England bat.

The oft-mentioned wicket after a drinks break. Woakes goes after two balls.

NZ suddenly bouncing.

Woakes not having a happy match. Southee and NZ - and especially Latham ! will be encouraged by that. NZ need to keep taking advantage of this new ball.

Atkinson and Stokes take England beyond 400. Lead is 54. Will wanna get that into three figures

NZ have been too short with this new ball. Atkinson is cannibalising anything short.