The familiar issues frustrating England and their fans
Another thumping defeat
As England's fate was sealed on day five, Edgbaston was alive to the beat of an Indian drum."England get battered everywhere they go," sang the tourists' support. This 336-run defeat can be added to the 423-run loss in Hamilton, the nine-wicket thrashing in Rawalpindi, the meek eight-wicket loss at the hands of a poor Sri Lanka at The Oval or the 434-run thrashing by India in Rajkot last February.When England lose, they lose badly.Two of those, against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, could be written off as dead rubbers. Were the list shorter, you could put them down to the odd bad day.But until the trend of one England hammering a series is ruled out, they are not going to get to where they want to go.Series wins could come - they may beat India over five matches here - but some have been talking about this team going on to become the best England side since the one Andrew Strauss led to the top of the world rankings.Head coach Brendon McCullum told his team to "shoot for the stars" at the start of the summer. Fail to change and their ship may not leave Earth's atmosphere.
England's Pope fasts again
No-one represents England's feast or famine better than Ollie Pope.After a fine century in Leeds, he made a duck and 24 in his two innings at Edgbaston.It is a familiar problem for a batter who did not make a fifty in the four Tests in India at the start of last year after his epic 196 in the first Test.Before play on day five he was working with batting coach Marcus Trescothick on his head position, attempting to prevent himself falling to the off side before contact, as he did when edging Akash Deep in the first innings.With its slope, Lord's is not the ideal place to have such issues.Zak Crawley is another batter unable to break free of his own troubles.His 65 in the first Test, which followed 124 against Zimbabwe, was crucial to England's win but his wild drive in the second over of England's chase was the worst dismissal in an otherwise sensible quest for a draw.He is averaging just 21 when seamers pitch the ball up to him since the start of 2022. If India weren't aware of that weakness before, they are now.
What to do about Bashir?
The Test also resulted in some ugly numbers for England spinner Shoaib Bashir.The 21-year-old's match figures of 5-286 are the most expensive for England since 1950 and the third-most costly in his side's Test history.No Test spinner who has bowled as many overs (679.1) as Bashir has as high an economy rate (3.80). Not pretty.England's Bashir experiment is at an interesting phase. Picked for his debut last year after just 10 first-class matches and still unable to get a game for his county, he has been picked on potential.Against Zimbabwe at the start of the summer, he looked to be finding success by bowling tighter to the stumps, resulting in a more accurate line, while he was also bowling a fuller length.He deserves credit for working on a 'carrom ball' – an off-spinner's mystery delivery which is flicked from the hand and turns from right to left – which he bowled at least three times in the first innings.But six of his eight wickets in this series have come caught in the deep. The others were a lower-order stumping and a top-edged slog he caught himself.Bashir needs a good week in London for himself if nothing else.
England's pace pickle
That leads nicely to England's pace bowlers. Having opted to pick an unchanged side for Edgbaston, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue have now bowled 82, 77 and 81 overs respectively.Mohammed Siraj is the only India quick to have bowled more than 62.All three of England's pacemen struggled at times in Birmingham. Woakes was not as threatening after his new-ball spell while Tongue has been played well by India's top order and was not as successful against the tail as in the first Test.Change will surely come at Lord's given three days off is little time to recover and Jofra Archer is waiting in the wings. Could England conceivably leave out all three? Gus Atkinson, who has not played since May because of a hamstring injury, is back in the squad but it would be a risk to play Atkinson and Archer, who has bowled in two innings in a match once in four years, in the same XI. Woakes, 36, may need a rest but England like variety in their attack and he averages 12.9 at Lord's – the best of any bowler in Test history.England would also need to replace his batting at number eight if he is left out – even more so if Carse, an able batter, was also absent at number nine.Sam Cook is the Woakes replacement in England's squad but does not offer that same batting depth. Do not rule out bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton adding to his one Test cap, which was earned in 2022.
Gill eyeing Bradman's record
That it is England with selection problems is a remarkable turnaround from six days ago. India came into the second Test facing endless questions around their XI.Their big calls have been proven right, however.Picking batting all-rounder Washington Sundar at number eight looked a defensive move but he shared an important stand of 144 with his captain, Shubman Gill, in the first innings and had Stokes lbw shortly before lunch with his off-spin on the final day.The other big call was to rest Jasprit Bumrah. His replacement Akash Deep was majestic and took 10 in the match.In truth, Gill could not have asked for a better week.Some questioned his declaration on day four but its timing meant England faced Deep with the new ball late on and again when it was still hard the next morning. The result was two wickets in each spell.With 585 runs in two matches, Gill now needs a further 389 across the remaining three Tests to break the legendary record for most runs in a series set by the great Australian Don Bradman, who made 974 in the 1930 Ashes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE FIFA agents exam hit by ANOTHER shambles as dozens of intermediaries are left unable to access tests after more software failures
FIFA's exam for agents has been hit by yet another shambles. The governing body introduced a test as part of a new licensing system in 2023 aimed at tightening the industry. But they have been plagued by myriad issues, with entrants complaining about technical glitches at various sitting days. And Mail Sport understands that, in the latest disaster, dozens of agents were left furious when they were unable to even access their test thanks to another software failure. After chaotic scenes previously at test centres including Wembley Stadium and Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, FIFA permitted representatives to take the exam online from home. Presumably, the aim was to ensure the process ran more smoothly, with a reduced likelihood of any issues with WiFi connection, which had been a problem in London and Birmingham, along with system crashes. Those who wanted to take part were asked to download FIFA-approved software and to share the screens with exam invigilators. They were also asked to turn their cameras on so checks could be carried out to ensure that they were not cheating. However, Mail Sport understands that sizable numbers were simply unable to share their screens with the invigilator, through no fault of their own. And, despite desperately flagging the issue, in many cases no solution could be found. To make matters worse, many of those who could not gain access to the test despite paying £75 for the privilege were subsequently told that their applications for a licence had failed – and that they effectively cannot work on player transfers. Some have also complained that their pleas to FIFA have fallen on deaf ears. 'It's been an absolute nightmare,' one of those affected, who did not want to be named, explained. 'Loads of people could not share the screens and so couldn't access the exam itself. You've done everything they asked. You've downloaded the software, you've downloaded the platform and it's not your fault but there's no explanation, and no response when you ask about a resit. 'This is people's livelihoods they are playing around with. You spend six months revising and you can't even sit the thing. A lot of us are now worried we will have to wait another year to resit it, which is a year without being able to work.' FIFA have been contacted for comment. The hour-long test features 20, multiple-choice questions. It was introduced to better regulate an industry some had compared to the 'wild west'. 'I don't actually think the tests are a bad idea,' the source added. 'But if you are going to bring them in you have to make sure they work. And if they don't, you have to respond to those who've not been able to take the test.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
South Africa cricket captain sacrifices chance to break Brian Lara's world record as he DECLARES just 33 short of 400 - and explains why he did it
South Africa captain Wiaan Mulder said declaring on 367, the fifth-highest score in Test history, instead of chasing Brian Lara's record 400 not out was 'exactly the way it should be'. Mulder opted to bring an end to his innings 33 runs shy of Lara's landmark as his side posted 626 for five against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. His surprising decision not to continue was immediately vindicated as Codi Yusuf had Takudzwanashe Kaitano caught behind off the first ball of the innings. Zimbabwe were all out for 170, with Mulder taking two for 20 in his six-over spell. Mulder's declaration left West Indies great Lara as the only quadruple centurion in a Test innings, against England in Antigua in 2004, but he insisted he had no regrets. He said in his post-match interview: 'First things first - we had enough to bowl (at). 'Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 or 401 or something against England and for someone to keep that record, it is special. 'I spoke to Shuks (head coach Shukri Conrad) - and spoke about letting the legends keep (that record). Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.' He added: 'To be honest, I have never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, let alone a triple hundred, (but) most importantly, it has put the team in a good position to win this Test.' Lara also made 375 against England in Antigua a decade before his 2004 feat. That mark was beaten by Matthew Hayden's 380 for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2003, only for Lara to reclaim top spot six months later. Mahela Jayawardene made 374 for Sri Lanka against the Proteas in 2006, with Mulder passing Sir Garry Sobers' 365 not out for the West Indies against Pakistan in 1958 for fifth place on the all-time list. His innings was a South African record, comfortably surpassing Hashim Amla's unbeaten 311 against England in 2012 which was their only previous triple century. Conrad described his skipper's knock as 'nothing short of extraordinary'. He said: 'Being the captain, then batting at number three where had to absorb early pressure and face the new ball, which he did with immense composure and control - it was unbelievable. 'The way he constructed his innings, session by session, was a masterclass in temperament and shot selection. 'It's the kind of performance that anchors a team and sets the tone for the entire match. We're incredibly proud of what he's achieved today.' Cricket South Africa director of national teams and high performance Enoch Nkwe added: 'It was a truly world-class performance that will be remembered for generations.
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
Jofra Archer's return gives England a headache with India series on the line
Tradition usually dictates that after a batting lineup fails in the manner that England's largely did on a flat one at Edgbaston – four ducks among the top six, just two men passing 50, 157.4 overs batted to India's 234 – a bowler or two must pay the price. Given the short turnaround, and with admittedly some merit after shipping over 1,000 runs in a home Test for just the second time in history, this will come to pass at Lord's on Thursday. All signs point to Jofra Archer's return. A risk? Undoubtedly. After four years of injury struggles and a slow burn of a comeback in the white-ball formats, a mere 18 overs of priming in county cricket feels instinctively skinny. But it is a risk England can scarcely afford not to take given the swing in momentum that has occurred this past week. Much like the Steve Smith conundrum during Archer's debut series six years ago, Shubman Gill's Bradman-esque start to this series demands a fresh line of attack. Oh, and Jasprit Bumrah is about to augment an Indian bowling unit that outshone their hosts, not least when the Dukes ball was new. Who makes way is the question. Provided the medical staff can sufficiently patch him up in time, Chris Woakes should stay put. Had a couple of umpire's calls gone his way on the first morning, he could have easily walked off at stumps, setting the match on a different course. His record at Lord's is impressive, too, with 32 wickets at 13.92 runs apiece and an unbeaten 137 against India in 2018. At 36 years old, and with the successes of last winter only mildly offsetting a poor record overseas, Woakes is clearly not a long-term investment. But there is a major series on the line at 1-1 and his understudy, Sam Cook, would lengthen the tail. This leaves England with a likely choice between omitting Brydon Carse, spiteful but still battling toe issues, or Josh Tongue, a fast swing bowler too often used as a siege weapon. England will be tempted by a return for Gus Atkinson that leads to both dropping out but, despite his excellence at Lord's last summer, he has not played since May. Beyond the various possible bowling combinations, though, there is a legitimate question to be asked as to whether that traditional response to defeat should be flipped and see the batting refreshed. And it is here where England's thoughts should turn to another son of Barbados in Jacob Bethell: a 21-year-old batter without a professional century, granted, but a talent about whom there appears very little doubt. Bethell's retention felt a given at the end of the win in New Zealand late last year, with Brendon McCullum, the head coach, hinting heavily at this with gooey eyes following an impressive start to his Test career. It was not just the left-hander's three half-centuries, including a near-miss 96 in Wellington, but rather the ice running through his veins; a simple yet secure backfoot technique that looked made for the top level. So what changed? Before his debut in Christchurch, Bethell had been picked up in the Indian Premier League auction and with the tournament's primacy apparently enshrined by all cricket boards – a different debate – England promised to make their players available for the duration. It meant Bethell had to miss the Zimbabwe Test – those who say he chose to do so are mistaken – with Ollie Pope restored to the No 3 position. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Had Pope failed at Trent Bridge, the die would probably have been cast. But instead he forced what appeared a rethink with 171 in that low-key match (even if Ben Stokes tried to frame it otherwise afterwards). And having done so, England's vice-captain backed it up with a pretty sublime 106 at Headingley, walking out at four for one and playing with such impressive clarity amid something of an onslaught from the mighty Bumrah. It felt like a corner turned. But rather than triggering a purple patch, Pope has since only furthered concerns about his ability to be a steadying presence in a big series. After his overnight 100 was cut short the next day in Leeds – itself a mis-step in what is a series for hungry hippos – scores of eight, nought and 24 have followed. Akash Deep exploited a crooked, tense defence on Sunday following a frantic time of it the evening before. The alternative is Bethell in for Zak Crawley and after Edgbaston the opener could hardly feel aggrieved. Two footwork-devoid scores of 19 and nought, plus a clanger of a drop off Rishabh Pant, was the latest downturn in a wildly lurching career. Thing is, that little-and-large partnership with Ben Duckett is a functioning part of the side overall. Since coming together in 2022, no active opening pair has passed 50 more consistently. However, there is little to suggest that England are mulling a change in the top three. As shown by Gill being player of the match at Edgbaston, when Deep's 10-wicket haul was arguably the true difference between victory and a draw, it remains a batter's game.
