England captain Ben Stokes has insisted there can be no let-up in the group’s attacking strategy as they give the impression of being to bounce again in the second Test in opposition to South Africa beginning on Thursday, 25 August.
The first supply is due to be bowled at 12:00 (SA time).
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The hosts have arrived at Manchester’s Old Trafford 1-0 down in a three-match series following a chastening innings and 12-run defeat inside three days by the Proteas at Lord’s final week.
That was their first defeat below the brand new management duo of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum following a run of 4 successive wins with an aggressive strategy dubbed ‘Bazball’, characterised by attacking batting that noticed England chase down stiff fourth innings targets in opposition to New Zealand and India throughout the previous two months.
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England, nonetheless, had no reply to a formidable South Africa tempo assault led by Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s, the place they have been dismissed for simply 165 and 149 in their two innings, though a scarcity of home red-ball cricket since final month’s win over India, was arguably extra accountable than ‘Bazball’ for a clatter of wickets.
And a uncommon double failure by Joe Root meant England haven’t gained a Test when the star batsman has not made a fifty for greater than two years.
All-rounder Stokes, who took over as captain after shut pal Root had presided over only one win in 17 Tests, was in no temper to change tack after only one loss.
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“Absolutely not,” he stated.
“We know well that when we perform to the capabilities that we’re capable of, then we can go out and put on an incredible performance, like everybody’s seen in the four games before.”
Former New Zealand captain McCullum stated England’s downside at Lord’s had been a scarcity of assault quite than an excessive amount of cavalier cricket.
“I think they were perhaps a touch timid,” he stated.
“We strategy the sport with a transparent mentality about the way in which we would like to play.
“It’s not always going to work. As we said at the time, you’ve got to buckle up for the ride. It’s not nice at times like this but we’ll come back strong.”
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There are, nonetheless, reliable questions over the type of opening batsman Zak Crawley who, after one other two low scores at Lord’s, is now averaging a mere 16.4 throughout 10 Test innings this season.
England could make a bowling change
England, nonetheless, appear decided to stick with the 24-year-old Kent right-hander, backed in weird trend by McCullum when the coach stated: “I look at a guy like Zak and his skill-set is not to be a consistent cricketer.”
As for his or her bowling, England could contemplate recalling Ollie Robinson in place of Matthew Potts to a seam assault that lacked sharpness and penetration at Lord’s, the place South Africa cemented their place on the prime of the World Test Championship desk.
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No Proteas batsman managed a century in the match however a collective effort led by opener Sarel Erwee acquired them to a aggressive whole of 326.
Undeniably gifted batsman Aiden Markram got here out of the match, nonetheless, with a mean of below 10 from his final 10 Test innings.
The uncapped Ryan Rickelton, in type for English county aspect Northamptonshire, could possibly be given a Test debut if Markram is dropped.
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, requested on Tuesday if the Proteas had struck a psychological blow in opposition to England by profitable the primary Test so emphatically, replied: “I’d like to think so.”
The left-armer added: “I think England have played some really good cricket and fought themselves out of tough situations to win Test matches and series in the last year.”
South Africa captain Dean Elgar made it clear earlier than the series he was nonetheless a believer in Test cricket’s fundamentals for all of the ‘Bazball’ hype surrounding England.
Elgar additionally demonstrated a pleasant line in tactical innovation when his choice to carry Maharaj on early in England’s second innings was rewarded by the spinner taking two top-order wickets.
The Proteas have turn into a extremely efficient Test group since Elgar turned their skipper 18 months in the past.
“I think we know what to do and go about our business a lot better,” stated Maharaj.
“And there’s extra readability and function definition throughout the group.
“I think that’s been Dean’s mantra from the time he’s taken over as the Test captain.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
