England is set to travel to New Zealand for the second time under locally-born captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. They aim to regain the momentum of “Bazball” against a Black Caps side still celebrating their remarkable series victory in India. The rapid progress England experienced while playing McCullum’s ultra-aggressive style has stalled somewhat, with seven wins and seven losses in tests this year. Consequently, they have already been eliminated from contention for next year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final.
New Zealand’s impressive 3-0 series sweep has put England’s 4-1 defeat in India earlier this year into a harsh light. After a 2-1 loss in Pakistan in October, the touring side will be eager to perform well in more favorable conditions.
“I wouldn’t say Pakistan rocked our confidence as such, but it hurt,” former Black Caps captain McCullum said this week.
“When I talk to the lads, I say you need a memory like a sieve as a cricketer. You need what’s gone before to wash over you and focus on the here and now to make sure you’re present. That gives you the best opportunity.”
The opportunity against New Zealand starts at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Thursday before further tests at equally salubrious seam-friendly venues in Wellington and Hamilton. The last series between the teams early last year was drawn 1-1, but only after New Zealand had mounted a remarkable comeback to win the second test in Wellington by a single run after following on.
The spirit that fired that victory also underpinned the unlikely series triumph in India, a feat all the more impressive for it was achieved without master batsman Kane Williamson.
“It’s always onto the next little challenge,” all-rounder Rachin Ravindra said on Monday.
England is set to travel to New Zealand for the second time under locally-born captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. They aim to regain the momentum of “Bazball” against a Black Caps side still celebrating their remarkable series victory in India. The rapid progress England experienced while playing McCullum’s ultra-aggressive style has stalled somewhat, with seven wins and seven losses in tests this year. Consequently, they have already been eliminated from contention for next year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final.
New Zealand’s impressive 3-0 series sweep has put England’s 4-1 defeat in India earlier this year into a harsh light. After a 2-1 loss in Pakistan in October, the touring side will be eager to perform well in more favorable conditions.
A series sweep could secure New Zealand a place in the WTC final and a chance to reclaim the trophy they won by beating India in 2021.
Former skipper Tim Southee has said he would make himself available for the WTC final if New Zealand qualifies, but will otherwise call time on his 18-year test career when the England series concludes at his home ground, Seddon Park.
Southee will be part of a four-pronged seam attack in Christchurch along with one of two potential debutants in the squad, quick Jacob Duffy and seam-bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith.
England’s seam attack in the post-James Anderson-Stuart Broad era is led by Chris Woakes with Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse supporting him after decent outings in Pakistan.
Jordan Cox’s hopes of a test debut in Christchurch as a replacement for wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who is skipping the tour for the birth of his first child, were dashed when he fractured his thumb in a net session during a tour match.
Ollie Pope will take the gloves in Christchurch and move down the order, leaving room for Jacob Bethell to win his first cap batting at number three. All-rounder Stokes, who missed four tests this year with a hamstring problem, has scored 358 runs and taken three wickets in six tests in the land of his birth. England will be hoping for a heftier contribution from their inspirational skipper as they seek a first series win in New Zealand since 2008.
