New Zealand tour of England - May/June 2015

[PokerAce]

I was excited about the Test Series, but looking ahead to the ODI series, I think NZ have just too much for Eng, in limited overs test. I would not be surprised if NZ take the One Day series 5-0.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I think I sense some pessimism from the Eng fans here. Eng were not great, but then again NZ are as good a test side as any going around right now, and 1-1 draw against them is something to be pleased with.

I know Aus will be tougher, with it being the Ashes and everything, but England should into the series saying we went toe to toe with a side as good as the Aussies, and there is no reason why they cant do the same against Aus.

I agree and disagree with you. I think England played well. I hope, they are patient with Lyth. He seems like a good cricketer. The best thing to have happened for England is the return of the Alastair Cook we all know and thank heavens they've put some faith in Stokes. I've been rooting for him for ages. However, there are some clear cut issues-

1) I have been on about this for a bit, and I will keep saying that Ballance will struggle against top quality attacks. Getting runs against below standard attacks like India and Sri Lanka is one thing, against top quality fast bowling is quite another and make no mistake, the Aussies are a top top attack. There have been players in the past who are not aesthetically pleasing, but Ballance simply has an enormous issue with his technique. You generally associate that issue with guys that back a punch and score quickly, but he's neither solid and secure nor is he someone who will take away games of cricket in a session. Mark my words, he will be found out by the Aussies if they bowl full and straight to him.

2) Slip catching is clearly an issue. Again, it's just basics. And, I can show you snapshots where England slippers just don't get low enough. Put Cook, Lyth (who I hear is a slipper at Yorkshire) and Root there. Cook isn't the brightest, but I don't know who else could. I've seen Anderson take a few good one's at 3rd/4th slip.

3) Keep Anderson and Broad fresh. I don't know who else can bowl descent spin in England, but I wouldn't rank Ali as your grade 'A' spinner. However, to keep Anderson and broad fresh, you need to get some overs out of Stokes and Ali batting @ 7 isn't such a bad option.

My Ashes team for the 1st test would be- Cook, Lyth, Bell, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Ali, Wood, Broad, Anderson and a spinner.

On a positive note- Jason Roy and Sam Billings are in the ODI squad.

 

[cooks1st100]

It's not pessimism, it's just a case of the weaknesses being exposed when you play the good teams which New Zealand obviously are. But the truth of the matter is that these same weaknesses were there to see against the West Indies also. Hopefully they can be addressed before the Ashes now that we have Bayliss as a coach.

There are positives though, Cook's form, Stokes I think will cement his place at 6 and Wood has shown a good attitude and possesses that extra yard of pace to cause batsmen discomfort, so we appear to have found our third bowler for the time being. On top of that we have had nine and a bit days of fantastic cricket.

@kushal717 that post pretty much echoes what I have been saying.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I was excited about the Test Series, but looking ahead to the ODI series, I think NZ have just too much for Eng, in limited overs test. I would not be surprised if NZ take the One Day series 5-0.

If you're an England fan, you are in for a pleasant surprise! That squad has a few young kids that can really play. I'm excited!

 

[SpitfiresKent]

get a proper spinner in for the Ashes.....I'd be tempted to go with Ansari.

Ansari is not a "proper spinner". He's a bit part player. Rashid should be given a go.

 

[cooks1st100]

Ansari is not a "proper spinner". He's a bit part player. Rashid should be given a go.

Is he not? I was under the impression that he was a spinning all-rounder which suggested he was a bowler who could bat. Seems to have been utilised far more than a bit part spinner by Surrey this season.

 

[Santander]

England's bowling and fielding didn't do them any favours, but NZ was certainly the better team over the 5 days and they are deserved winners. Who would have thought that NZ would take 6 wickets with spin today?! The "return" of Cook as a batsman is extremely relieving though. He's a classy opener and it's great to see him breaking records again.

 

[blockerdave]

Bell is in a bad patch, but we need his experience in the Ashes.

Seriously, head in the sand. Bell's average since the end of the 2013 Ashes is now 29.89. We do not need him in the Ashes, quite the opposite, we need him out.

Ballance is a tough one - his record essentially over the same period as Bell has been excellent, but some of his dismissals in this series have been shocking.

 

[richowebbo]

-+

Seriously, head in the sand. Bell's average since the end of the 2013 Ashes is now 29.89. We do not need him in the Ashes, quite the opposite, we need him out.

Ballance is a tough one - his record essentially over the same period as Bell has been excellent, but some of his dismissals in this series have been shocking.

My head in the sand?! I'm not a big fan of Bell, I just don't think we have anyone better than him.

I think Ballance is a good player, I'm just not sure if he is good enough to bat at 3 yet. I'd personally move Root to 3 and have Ballance down at 5. Let him get some runs and maybe if Root struggles at 3, stick Ballance back there.

 

[blockerdave]

-+


My head in the sand?! I'm not a big fan of Bell, I just don't think we have anyone better than him.

I think Ballance is a good player, I'm just not sure if he is good enough to bat at 3 yet. I'd personally move Root to 3 and have Ballance down at 5. Let him get some runs and maybe if Root struggles at 3, stick Ballance back there.

I think literally anyone would be better than Bell at 4... ideally i'd play Root at 4. I worry he'd be exposed at 3.

Head in the sand was in relation to the comment that Bell was in a bad patch - an 18 month issue ain't a bad patch, it's just being shite!

 

[richowebbo]

I think literally anyone would be better than Bell at 4... ideally i'd play Root at 4. I worry he'd be exposed at 3.

Head in the sand was in relation to the comment that Bell was in a bad patch - an 18 month issue ain't a bad patch, it's just being shite!

I don't think its fair to call Bell shite! I think it was before the Ashes 2013 (was that the one he made loads of runs?) I said that he should be dropped, and he went on to do great. I've never really got the media love affair with Bell, but, he his a good player, and I think we need to be careful in getting rid of all our experienced players. If KP was selectable, then I'd play him at 4 and drop Bell.

I do think Ballance should stay in he team, just not at 3. Maybe you are right about Root, but I think he has the ability to play anywhere.

I don't know if any of you guys were following the BBC live text, but I was getting really pissed off at all the negativity. I swear some England fans think we have a divine right to win every match. If we get beaten, its all doom and gloom! New Zealand played really well and deserved to get a win in the series.

 

[dp458]

Yeah it's been a great couple of matches. Ali out bowled by both Craig and Williams. This experiment needs to be nipped in the bud, it's just not working for the time being. Either they drop him from the one day squad and he goes back to his county to get some bowling under his belt or keep him for the one day squad and get a proper spinner in for the Ashes. He is not good enough I'm afraid. I'd be tempted to go with Ansari.

Having played with Zaf at Cambridge Uni, he considers himself a batting all rounder, and Surrey do as well, in the long form at least, that is why he opens the batting

Rashid bowls about as many bad deliveries as Moeen and is a worse batter, compare the records in the CC for like the last 2 years and they will be similar, although Div 1 not Div 2, adil has had the habit of mopping up the tail, which is actually something england need help with.

But i just think they will leave it with Moeen and Root as the pitches wont turn as Lyon as is a very handy spinner

We need to find someone in the Giles mould if stokes is to bat 6, which im not sure about, id bat Buttler 6, Stokes 7, Woakes 8, Wood 9, Broad 10, Jimmy 11, and just go for seam overkill, and use root if and when he is needed, in the ashes at least. as well as in South Africa

Spinners for the UAE are my main concern, as you need 2, and they both cant be all roounders really



Batting wise, Bell has to score runs for Warwickshire, he is under serious pressure, and would be more so if he wasnt experienced, Ballance has earnt time, given his record. The replacements are a concern though, it wont be KP, and Taylor isnt in great nick for Notts, in form are Roy and Hales, but they are defininte bolters, although a good ODI series for either could build pressure ala KP 2005 in South Africa[DOUBLEPOST=1433323855][/DOUBLEPOST]

Is he not? I was under the impression that he was a spinning all-rounder which suggested he was a bowler who could bat. Seems to have been utilised far more than a bit part spinner by Surrey this season.

Been used a lot as there seamers keep breaking down, and Batty hasnt been that threatening this season, for me he is a very good option for the ODI/T20I s but his bowling like any other spinner can get clonked




Slip fielding is a huge issue, Cook has improved at 1, Bell doesnt slip field for us Bears, Ballance doesnt look great in there.

Id go cook,lyth,root,stokes/jimmy
for the 4th slip/gully and the swap when the other person is bowling

 

[PokerAce]

If KP was selectable

Just think of the problems that would solve for England.

 

[_Sam_]

Just think of the problems that would solve for England.

The option of being able to select a guy who isn't even top scorer of the CC despite being in division 2? Would do wonders along with the disruption .

On a side note disappointing that Vince has completely lost that form he had last season. Had a dreadful start to the CC, hopefully he gets back to it at some time.

 

[richowebbo]

The option of being able to select a guy who isn't even top scorer of the CC despite being in division 2? Would do wonders along with the disruption .

On a side note disappointing that Vince has completely lost that form he had last season. Had a dreadful start to the CC, hopefully he gets back to it at some time.

Yeah but he did score 300+ a few weeks ago!

Vince was good last year, but I don't think he's scored enough runs in his career to catch the attention of the selectors. Ales Hales should be playing every form of cricket for England. I'd like to see him lower down the order at Test Match level. It'd be great to have a top 3 who can give a good foundation, like Strauss, Cook and Trott used to do, and then have some explosive players lower down the order.

Does anyone know much about Sam Billings? I'd never heard of him until the Ireland match.