England captain Ben Stokes has insisted there will likely be no let-up in the crew’s attacking method as they give the impression of being to bounce again in the second Test towards South Africa beginning Thursday.
England’s captain Ben Stokes reacts as he walks again to the pavilion after dropping his wicket for 20 throughout play on day 3 of the primary Test match between England and South Africa on the Lord’s cricket floor in London on 19 August 2022. Picture: Adrian DENNIS/AFP
LONDON – England captain Ben Stokes has insisted there will likely be no let-up in the crew’s attacking method as they give the impression of being to bounce again in the second Test towards South Africa beginning Thursday.
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 beneath the brand new management duo of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum following a run of 4 successive wins with an aggressive method dubbed ‘Bazball’, characterised by attacking batting that noticed England chase down stiff fourth innings targets towards New Zealand and India in the course of the previous two months.
England, nevertheless, had no reply to a formidable South Africa tempo assault led by Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s, the place they had 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 good friend Root had presided over only one win in 17 Tests, was in no temper to change tack after only one loss.
“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.”
‘TIMID’
Former New Zealand captain McCullum stated England’s downside at Lord’s had been a scarcity of assault reasonably than an excessive amount of cavalier cricket.
“I think they were perhaps a touch timid,” he stated. “We approach the game with a clear mentality about the way we want to play.
“It’s not all the time going to work. As we stated on the time, you have bought to buckle up for the trip. It’s not good at instances like this however we’ll come again robust.”
There are, however, legitimate questions over the form of opening batsman Zak Crawley who, after another two low scores at Lord’s, is now averaging a mere 16.4 across 10 Test innings this season.
England, however, seem determined to stick with the 24-year-old Kent right-hander, backed in bizarre fashion by McCullum when the coach said: “I have a look at a man like Zak and his skill-set isn’t to be a constant cricketer.”
As for their bowling, England may consider recalling Ollie Robinson in place of Matthew Potts to a seam attack that lacked sharpness and penetration at Lord’s, where South Africa cemented their position at the top of the World Test Championship table.
No Proteas batsman managed a century in the match but a collective effort led by opener Sarel Erwee got them to a competitive total of 326.
Undeniably gifted batsman Aiden Markram came out of the match, however, with an average of under 10 from his last 10 Test innings.
The uncapped Ryan Rickelton, in form for English county side Northamptonshire, could be given a Test debut if Markram is dropped.
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, asked Tuesday if the Proteas had struck a psychological blow against England by winning the first Test so emphatically, replied: “I’d like to suppose so.”
The left-armer added: “I believe England have performed some actually good cricket and fought themselves out of powerful conditions to win Test matches and series in the final yr.”
South Africa captain Dean Elgar made it clear before the series he was still a believer in Test cricket’s fundamentals for all the ‘Bazball’ hype surrounding England.
Elgar also demonstrated a nice line in tactical innovation when his decision to bring Maharaj on early in England’s second innings was rewarded by the spinner taking two top-order wickets.
The Proteas have become a highly effective Test team since Elgar became their skipper 18 months ago.
“I believe we all know what to do and go about our enterprise so much higher,” said Maharaj. “And there’s extra readability and function definition throughout the crew.
“I think that’s been Dean’s mantra from the time he’s taken over as the Test captain.”