Bairstow provides a preview of the “Bazball” era
With a decisive seven-wicket victory in the third and final test on Monday, England swept New Zealand 3-0 in the test series. England won the first test at Lord’s by five wickets before chasing down 299 runs in Nottingham to win the second test by five wickets.
Batters
5/10 for Alex Lees
After playing pedestrianly in the West Indies and batting at a 50 strike rate, he broadened his game and looked considerably better as a result. had disappointing performances at Lord’s and Headingley, but with scores of 67 and 44 in the second Test at Trent Bridge, they were vital. In six innings, there was just one opening stand above 50, indicating that the previous issue is still there. 2/10 Zak Crawley the sole participant who declined under the new system. He will undoubtedly play against India since the team management supports him, but his stroke selection and the new ball’s exposure of mechanical flaws make him unconvincing as a Test opener.
8/10 for Ollie Pope
Pope made a century at Trent Bridge and an important 82 in the chase at Headingley during the series, which marked his coming of age in Test cricket. Although he appears at ease when the field is flat, his defensive shortcomings still make him vulnerable when the ball is moving. Long overdue, the second Test hundred may follow the Root path, bouncing between positions three and four in natural order.
9/10 for Joe Root
His batting even has improved. Reverse scoops for six illustrate how relieving oneself of the responsibility of leadership may help an already outstanding batsman who is currently nearly hard to bowl to.
9.5/10 Jonny Bairstow
He definitely should have been named England’s man of the series ahead of Root after his remarkable back-to-back under-100-ball hundreds at Trent Bridge and Headingley. At the age of 32, Bairstow finally appears to be a settled player with a clear place in the team despite having played in over 90 Tests. This complicated character requires deft treatment, and Stokes-inclusivity McCullum’s has reduced his uneasiness, resulting in two of his greatest performances to date.
8/10 for Ben Stokes
The former captain maintained his exceptional form with a powerful century at Lord’s that won the match, followed by an innings of 176 at Trent Bridge. As captain and with the bat, exude extreme optimism on the field. The team’s on-field general from Bazball had a fantastic debut series in charge. In his debut series, he did an excellent job of building a team identity and communicating clearly.
Ben Foakes: 6.5/10
Subbed out of Covid’s final game on day four, but was effective with the bat and gloves in the first two Tests. A stronger series at the plate, particularly at Trent Bridge where he partnered with Root under duress and recorded his maiden Test fifty at home. should advance when coupled with the tail.
Sam Billings: 5.5
came in as a Covid substitute for Foakes and fared well with the wicket-keeping for one day at Headingley.
Bowlers
8/10 for Matt Potts
What a series for the Durham seamer, who ended up leading England in wickets and took key wickets at critical moments all throughout. benefited from playing with Stokes, a teammate from Durham, and is physically and bowlingly constructed for Test cricket, expertly narrowing in on off stump. When Potts received the fresh ball, Anderson was not missed by England.
7.5/10 for Stuart Broad
Although it may not have been his finest series, he produced stretches in each of the three Test matches, particularly the first one at Lord’s, that were important to England’s victory.
7/10 for Jamie Overton
He only played in the last Test, but despite having unimpressive bowling statistics, he was outstanding with the bat, hitting 97 to save England’s first innings. looks more like a true all-rounder than a lower-order batsman, and he bowled well during stints that provided Potts and Broad with a fresh option.
England would need this streak of menace against Australia and India, so bowling short and occasionally around the wicket was a good addition.
7.0 Jack Leach
concussed in the first Test, struggled in the second, but came alive with a 10-wicket match haul in the third. seems more assured than ever when wearing an England jersey. Leach is a different bowler when well-contained and attacked, and he has the full support of a captain who values him.
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