It would perhaps be wrong to say that Old Trafford is one of the most beauitiful grounds in the world. But for this morning at least the threatened rain has stayed away and it looks therefore as pretty as a picture. An important game for England should start on time. They are unchanged for the fourth match in a row - two wins and a draw in the previous three - but whilst continuity is important they have yet to look utterly convinvincing or to play with real conviction. New Zealand are doughty fighters with two or three very good players. But without wishing to jerk a knee it is time for England to produce, is it not, Gus?
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« Rugby League: Life at the Sharp end | Main | England v New Zealand 2008: Fraser and Brenkley at the Tests - Old Trafford, The Inquest » 23 May 2008CommentsVerify your CommentPreviewing your CommentThis is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
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It is time for England to produce, particularly their batsmen. It is eleven Tests since England scored more than 400 in the first innings of a Test and, despite what Vaughan says, it does seem a bit cosy.
The most important thing for me though is that we get a full days play. There was a lot of negativity following the Lord's Test: re bad light etc. Let us hope it stays away.
England's record here is excellent - four wins in five games and the draw was the near win against Australia in 2005. The pitch suits England and they need to play well. No Harmison though, will they miss him?
Posted by: Angus Fraser | 23 May 2008 at 10:13 AM
No, they will not. Why should they? Harmison bowled badly for England last summer and in the winter.Disregard for a moment his personal circumstances, his approach to the game, the fact that he is a really good bloke - all of those things are important. But he had bowled badly in Test cricket for some time and was showing no signs of improvement. Had the selectors been of a mind - but they are of a mind to change nothing clearly - they would have picked Chris Tremlett to take advantage of the pace and therefore bounce on offer here.
On the bad light topic - always a difficult one for the umpires who really don't deserve the flak - will things change here with Darrell Hair back at one end? Will Darrell, never slow in expressing an opinion, tell the players they jolly well ought to get on with it? Or will he be in totally discreet mode after 18 months away?
Posted by: Stephen Brenkley | 23 May 2008 at 10:19 AM
I would like to think he would tel the players to get on with it. An unnamed umpire told me that the light meters are supposed to be calibrated but it is not the case. Different meters give different readings. Hopefully common sense prevails and they use the one that allows most play.
England woud have been wrong to change the bowling line-up after Lord's. Some pundits gave them a bit of stick but I though they bowled okay after the first day when they were too short. Tremlett could be a real handful but he still seems too fragile to be the member of a three seamer attack.
Cook, Bell and Vaughan have done very well here but Pietersen has not. Have you any ideas why. He only averages 27 here in three Tests. His technique is okay for quick bouncy pitches is it not, or does he not fancy the short ball? Over to you Stephen.
Posted by: Angus Fraser | 23 May 2008 at 10:26 AM
To be fair to Pietersen, he's had five Test innings at Old Trafford. The first two were in the white heat of the 2005 Ashes when he was still learning about Test cricket. The next was against Pakistan on that quick pitch in 2006 when he only batted once in the match and the mist recent two were last year against West Indies, He was getting into full flow in the second innings when he hit his wicket against Dwayne Bravo. Nothing wrong with Pietersen - or not much. If I have a concern at all it is that the fear of failure has crept into his game when it was not there at all at one time. He is at his most resplendent when he just bats like he can but once that is gone it can have a debilitating effect. First innings runs are whatg are wanted from England but it is New Zealand who will bat first after winning the toss. England might have to pitch it up a bit more than they did at Lord's. Does the bowler among us agree?
Posted by: Stephen Brenkley | 23 May 2008 at 10:44 AM
There is a temptation for fast bowlers to bowl short on bouncy pitches when really you should pitch it up a bit further. I think England feel they can intimidate New Zealand's batsmen with the short ball but, again, it should not be over done. The good thing about this pitch is that things tend to happen quickly, which produces attractive cricket.
I agree with you about the batsmen and their fear of failure. I think it happens to all players when they have been in the team for a while. There is a lot of money at stake and players do not want to miss out on it, many of them rely on a central contract to maintain their lifestyle. Back in my day - I sound like Fred Trueman - a lifestyle was based around a county contract and the England money was a bonus.
The proble is such an attitude breeds a slightly more selfish approach, which is no good for the team, particularly when quick runs are needed. It is probably the reason why England's batting could do with a shake up.
Posted by: Angus Fraser | 23 May 2008 at 10:53 AM
Central contracts have been good for the game of course but it is right that we draw attention to their shortcomings. Once you've got one you want to keep it.
We shall see what we shall see. England to win.
Posted by: Stephen Brenkley | 23 May 2008 at 10:58 AM
They have. Yes, an England win on Monday, weather permitting.
Posted by: Angus Fraser | 23 May 2008 at 11:00 AM