So, here's the thing, most of our batsmen have played some CC matches but Crawley, Pope, Root and Bairstow all played at least two T20 matches prior to this Test - some played three and in the case of Bairstow it is months since he hit a red ball in anger.
If Key and the ECB are serious about a red ball re-set then four of our top six cannot be playing T20 prior to a Test match. Because they are totally different games. The "leave" is the best shot in Test cricket and the worst in T20.
So, here's the thing, most of our batsmen have played some CC matches but Crawley, Pope, Root and Bairstow all played at least two T20 matches prior to this Test - some played three and in the case of Bairstow it is months since he hit a red ball in anger.
If Key and the ECB are serious about a red ball re-set then four of our top six cannot be playing T20 prior to a Test match. Because they are totally different games. The "leave" is the best shot in Test cricket and the worst in T20.
Anderson and Broad stopped playing white ball, I have no idea who's choice it was, but it has certainly prolonged their test careers. I think the late, great, Warne did as well.
But not many others have, loads have retired from red ball to play white ball.
If England are ever going to be a top Test team again they need to pay players to not play franchise cricket, including the 100.
So, here's the thing, most of our batsmen have played some CC matches but Crawley, Pope, Root and Bairstow all played at least two T20 matches prior to this Test - some played three and in the case of Bairstow it is months since he hit a red ball in anger.
If Key and the ECB are serious about a red ball re-set then four of our top six cannot be playing T20 prior to a Test match. Because they are totally different games. The "leave" is the best shot in Test cricket and the worst in T20.
Anderson and Broad stopped playing white ball, I have no idea who's choice it was, but it has certainly prolonged their test careers. I think the late, great, Warne did as well.
But not many others have, loads have retired from red ball to play white ball.
If England are ever going to be a top Test team again they need to pay players to not play franchise cricket, including the 100.
All four of the batsmen I mentioned are centrally contracted I.e.England pay their wages and previously this would have been £700k pa or in the case of Root over £1m. If that isnt sufficient for England to dictate in the run up to a Test series that those players should be focused on the job in hand (red ball) then do away with them. It takes a lot of franchise cricket to make up the differential and the likes of Crawley, Root and Pope don't even get IPL contracts.
To be fair to the England players who took part in Blast matches, England players have been getting out to loose shots on a regular basis even when they've not played any white ball cricket...
To be fair to the England players who took part in Blast matches, England players have been getting out to loose shots on a regular basis even when they've not played any white ball cricket...
And that has been down to technique as much as mindset. But, during our summer, we are never far away from a white ball game - The Blast, The Hundred and the Royal London. And if those batsmen are not far from a "see ball/hit ball" game then they are practising hitting the ball out of the park. Overton and Brook have been released to play T20 tonight. Is that good preparation if Brook is asked to play in the next Test or would a Ben Compton be better prepared?
Well we were all patting ourselves on the back in dismissing NZ for 132. Who would have predicted that we might not have had a lead? Probably most of us!
I understand that the ECB are selling tickets for £20 if you want to come after tea. Daylight robbery to charge that just to see the post match presentation.
Comments
Foakes 6 (13)
Broad 4 (9)
Most wickets to fall in the first day of a Lords Test since Ireland in 2019 (20 that day).
What a mad day. When Zak was at the crease, batting looked easy, but once Root went it's been a procession in our middle order.
If Key and the ECB are serious about a red ball re-set then four of our top six cannot be playing T20 prior to a Test match. Because they are totally different games. The "leave" is the best shot in Test cricket and the worst in T20.
But not many others have, loads have retired from red ball to play white ball.
If England are ever going to be a top Test team again they need to pay players to not play franchise cricket, including the 100.
Like to see him playing that to Boult or Southee!
Meanwhile, a live look into @Leuth ‘s living room:
What's the chance of NZ having another mare and what's the chances of ENG doing it? I don't like my own answers
After 40 overs we were 130 for 9.
I thought I had gone back 30 years & was watching the 40 overs matches they used to play on a Sunday.