It has been 11 years since England beat India 4-0 and climbed to No. 1 in the world test rankings. Some of us might remember that India was a little psychologically worn out after winning the World Cup a couple of months earlier, with a new coach, Duncan Fletcher, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook doubling their grandfather. hundreds and James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann were formidable. It was the last time England swept a series of more than two tests and surprisingly Broad (but not Anderson) will be there in Leeds this morning trying again.
England is at the height after the Trent Bridge, but we must recognize how precarious the line they walk. If Jonny Bairstow had gotten on his long leg when he confronted Matt Henry after tea on the last day, many of the same people who were praising him would have covered him in vitriol. When he tried to beat England to victory, according to the instructions of the coach and the captain, on Saturday evening at Lord’s, he was “stupid”. When he left Nottingham, he was a “hero” who “broke conventions.” Of what conventions? Not yours. We need to keep in mind that there will be exciting hits when they approach the high wire and times when they slip and fall. There is no one else for a team in this rebuilding phase that has been encouraged to play so uninhibited.
Jamie Overton is a welcome addition to the XI. I thought Matty Potts played very well in Lord’s and in the second inning of the second test, but having a 90 mph player at one end gives the captain a chance to play properly himself, as well as subjecting the opposition to rhythm (“like fire”) and bounce.
NZ welcomes captain Kane Williamson, who is due to return for Michael Bracewell, while Neil Wagner is set to replace the injured Kyle Jamieson.
The launch is imminent. We will give you the news of the team once confirmed by the captains.