The first West Indies test will be Jimmy Anderson's last. He's playing for Lancashire at the moment in preparation, and after some rain delays currently has 6-19 from 10 overs. Nobody else has taken a wicket. We have 35 year old Chris Woakes back in the squad, who is absolutely garbage outside England so not really a long term option, but there's no place for Anderson, who's probably fitter than anyone else in the bowling ranks despite being 41.
With some bad calls from the ref and ourselves butchering up some good attacks is probably going to cost us a win in New Zealand!
Emotional send off for Jimmy, what a journey it’s been. On another note, it’s that time again where the Windies get outclassed and it’s “sad to watch” “damaging for the sport”. Where was this outpouring of sympathy and concern when England were in the doldrums in the 90s, getting butchered in every Ashes series? Everyone just laughed then, the double standards stink. I have zero sympathy.
Damn, feel like that’s two wasted opportunities to get the win in New Zealand. Still giving away silly penalties and making some wrong decisions at times like kicking it away to the best running team in the World doesn’t seem like a smart plan. The breakdown frustrated me also, Kiwi’s just seem must faster to it and their counter rucking doing well plus maybe just much more experienced. Still, two really good tries though in that first half and certainly we are moving forward and better performances compared to a few years so for this young side they should improve a lot going forward.
Only caught the second half. New Zealand just seem to have that little x-factor in attack. In general their lines feel slightly sharper and their hands slightly quicker. We huffed and puffed for a fair bit, but just couldn't find the killer blow when on top. Still, there's no shame in a narrow loss in Auckland and plenty of promising moments - just need to take things to that next level.
Butchered a couple of line outs towards the end which gave all blacks possession then good territory. Should have got something from the game, going forward this England squad will give any team a tough test. Lot of talent in the u20 s to come through too.
It's been a remarkable career. If you ignore all tests he played in his 20s, he'd still be in the top 10 test wicket takers of all time. Since turning 32 he has 333 wickets at 22.41. That's essentially Allan Donald's test record, albeit in a fair few more tests. Before the age of 32 its 371 @30. That's pretty close to Tim Southee's record. To be able to compare each half of your test record to two damn fine bowlers is really something.
Mark Wood has replaced Anderson in the squad. Will be interesting to see who plays given Atkinson's wickets in the first test.
Watching this U20 final between England and France but one thing that’s similar to the seniors is why are we so bad at the breakdown? We just don’t have men going in to clear out the first guy there. Do they not learn this or is there another strategy at play?
I know . Probably need to look at the policy again. The seniors could benefit immensely by it with Henry Arundell and Jack Willis playing again for England
Jos Butler tipped to stand down as England white ball captain despite no obvious successor - due to schedule clashes the White ball captain cannot be a test player which rules out some options. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket...er-withdraw-hundred-england-captaincy-future/
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