England tour of New Zealand 2019

[beechcroft]

Honestly, this wasn't an especially bad performance from England given what they were up against. This is an exceptionally good New Zealand side, easily the best they've ever had and may arguably go down as one of the ten or so best Test sides ever assembled for any length of time.

There were some positives from England as well - the move towards selecting specialists is (gradually) happening which can only be a positive. And sometimes you do just get beaten by a better side. There are still definitely some changes that need to be made, and areas that could really improve, but you can to an extent only work with what's available. I'm of the opinion that the next change that ought to happen is a change of captaincy, as nobody is batting to the best of their potential at present - least of all Joe Root.

New Zealand really were impressive. All the more so, as it wasn't the stars - Williamson, Taylor and Boult that won the game for them.

I hate to admit it, but you could be right about Joe Root. The potential falloff in his batting was the first thing that crossed my mind when he was made captain, but I hoped I'd be proven wrong.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

I hate to admit it, but you could be right about Joe Root. The potential falloff in his batting was the first thing that crossed my mind when he was made captain, but I hoped I'd be proven wrong.

It's most striking when compared with the other 'big four' as captain vs not as captain.

Smith 70.36 / 58.21
Kohli 63.8 / 41.13
Williamson 58.83 / 49.23
Root 39.7 / 52.8

Although 39.7 still puts him comfortably ahead of other players in the side.

 

[Ed Smith]

Hes just not a natural leader. Theres nothing really wrong with that, especially in a game like cricket where you can have an impact as a batsman playing your own game. The problem comes when you're asked to lead and it takes you so far out of your comfort zone it becomes a detriment to the rest of your game

 

[beechcroft]

But who would you pick to replace him? In the current side, I see it as a choice between Stokes or Buttler, and I don't see either of them as natural leaders either.

 

[Ed Smith]

In the current side. I'd probably give Broad or Burns a go. I fear the same thing for Stokes as what Root is going through, although he does have more of a natural leadership quality than Root

 

[Aislabie]

Hes just not a natural leader. Theres nothing really wrong with that, especially in a game like cricket where you can have an impact as a batsman playing your own game. The problem comes when you're asked to lead and it takes you so far out of your comfort zone it becomes a detriment to the rest of your game

I completely agree with this, and it's all the more obvious when you compare him to a Morgan or a Buttler or a Burns.

There's always the "but who would you make captain instead" argument made, and for a change there are some contenders:

• Jos Buttler - A very natural captain with lots of cricketing nous. I thought they were grooming him for leadership right until a few monthhs ago.
• Rory Burns - Almost definitely a future England captain, but would arguably be a premature promotion.
• Ben Stokes - It'd be a lot of responsibility, and it didn't work with Botham or Flintoff. But that doesn't mean thry won't try promoting the vice captain.
• Eoin Morgan - Probably a bit left-field, but stranger things have happened. Would have been more likely under Bayliss than Silverwood. But it's not like the number six role has picked up many runs.
• Joe Denly - An experienced county captain like Burns, and a pretty safe pair of hamds to take custody of the role until Burns is ready.
• Stuart Broad - A bowler captain? It will never happen, but he's captained Englanfd before and apart from the Tom de Grooth game it went okay.

A really varied bunch of answers but the only thing they all have in common is probably being better choices than Joe Root

 

[beechcroft]

I didn't realise till I just looked it up that Burns is captain of Surrey. That could be a good choice. I thought of Broad, but how much longer is he going to be playing for England?

 

[Ed Smith]

I completely agree with this, and it's all the more obvious when you compare him to a Morgan or a Buttler or a Burns.

There's always the "but who would you make captain instead" argument made, and for a change there are some contenders:

• Jos Buttler - A very natural captain with lots of cricketing nous. I thought they were grooming him for leadership right until a few monthhs ago.
• Rory Burns - Almost definitely a future England captain, but would arguably be a premature promotion.
• Ben Stokes - It'd be a lot of responsibility, and it didn't work with Botham or Flintoff. But that doesn't mean thry won't try promoting the vice captain.
• Eoin Morgan - Probably a bit left-field, but stranger things have happened. Would have been more likely under Bayliss than Silverwood. But it's not like the number six role has picked up many runs.
• Joe Denly - An experienced county captain like Burns, and a pretty safe pair of hamds to take custody of the role until Burns is ready.
• Stuart Broad - A bowler captain? It will never happen, but he's captained Englanfd before and apart from the Tom de Grooth game it went okay.

A really varied bunch of answers but the only thing they all have in common is probably being better choices than Joe Root

I honestly wouldn't be mad at Denly into Burns at all. Both have captaincy experience, both more suited to leadership than Root and characteristically less likely to suffer a dip in form due to the responsibility of captaincy

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Stokes is the only realistic choice in my opinion. Leads by example in every aspect of the game on field. He's matured a lot since the Bristol shenanigans too.

Broad limits the scope to shuffle the bowling line up, he'd surely have to play every game?

Unless, they want an average player as captain in the team primarily based on their captaincy skills. In which case, they might as well keep Root.

 

[Yorkshireman]

No point having this conversation when there is no chance in hell that Root will give up the captaincy or be sacked unfortunately.

 

[Ed Smith]

Keeps up this form and he should be dropped never mind sacked

 

[Ed Smith]

https://www.thesportsman.com/articl...tep-down-as-captain-and-focus-on-finding-form

Have to feel this is pretty much bang on

 

[beechcroft]

https://www.thesportsman.com/articl...tep-down-as-captain-and-focus-on-finding-form

Have to feel this is pretty much bang on

She must have been reading our posts.

 

[beechcroft]

Good article from Cricinfo's Andrew Miller on the contenders. I'm leaning towards Burns, I think.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28162903/who-possibly-take-joe-root-england-test-captain?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Good article from Cricinfo's Andrew Miller on the contenders. I'm leaning towards Burns, I think.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28162903/who-possibly-take-joe-root-england-test-captain?

In my opinion, the choice is an obvious one and the others mentioned in the article are not even certain starters. The first criteria for any captain, should be an automatic selection no matter the conditions. I actually would not mind continuing with Root but England are bananas to not give him a break. It is so damn obvious that he is finished. Professionals hate admitting to this sort of stuff. Sometimes, they don't even know it even though they are experiencing it.

Ben Stokes, is someone who is cut out to lead. I think after everything he's been through (most of which is his own doing) and the way he has risen to legendary status in the past 12 months tells me he's the man. I would also immediately appoint a vice captain (Woakes) in all likelihood. Stokes is a jewel England need to use fully and yet preserve in cotton wool. But, I have no doubt in my mind that the shift in his psyche is about the most drastic I have seen in 30 years of watching sport, not just cricket.