England has just blanked New Zealand 3-0. It is not the win itself that merits attention but the manner of those wins that demands our attention. New Zealand is the current World Test Champions. They are a very good side if not a spectacular one. England on the otherhand, has struggled over the last one year and for such a side to whitewash another good side, it shows a newfound confidence in the rank and file. This is about the thorough and marvellous English performance.
Last year, around the sametime, England was preparing for the Ashes. They did not care about either New Zealand or India. Their target was to win in Australia. That came unstuck and the result was an astonishing annihilation at the hands of Australia. It brought about quite a number of changes in the squad including the omission of Anderson and Broad for the West Indies tour. It did not go well either and England, true to form against their nemesis, suffered another series loss. Joe Root had enough and resigned. It sort of reignited English cricket. They needed a new captain and a new coach too.
New approach under a new management
It manifested in the form of Ben Stokes and Brendan McCullum. It turned out to be just the change English cricket needed at this stage where they are struggling for performance. These are early days. The newfound approach and attitude, whether it can survive against better bowling attacks and in vastly different conditions remains to be seen. However, what transpired over the last 3 Tests was something no one in their wildest dreams would have imagined. Such was the transformation of England.
One can talk about being positive all the time and being aggressive but not merely a coach and a captain will be able to do that. It needs the right personnel to bring about that change. England found them in the form of Root and Bairstow. Not to mention Stokes himself. They are naturally aggressive batsmen with an intent to look for runs constantly. Not for them is the percentage cricket.
Joe Root’s masterful series
Root, as we all know, is one of the best batsmen of the modern era and he is in prime form. His failures in Australia notwithstanding. Against everyone else, he was in a rich vein of form in 2021 and has continued that in 2022. It was not really a surprise that he ended up as the leading scorer for England. What must have pleased Root was the fact that he played a match-winning innings in the first test. This is something every batsman worth his salt will always dream of playing. Hundred while chasing a tall score in the 4th innings. It is something Virat Kohli, is yet to achieve despite multiple chances. The reverse scoop of Wagner was unbelievable.
Johnny Bairstow 3.0
Johnny Bairstow was always seen as someone who has talent in abundance. For awhile, he proved that will a consistent run about a few years ago when he was the first-choice wicket-keeper. Batting down the order, he played lot of innings that turned the game for England. However, with the inclusion of Buttler and the keeping gloves taken away from Bairstow, he lost that sense of purpose. It resulted in a disastrous run that culminated in him being dropped from the team. He lost the security cover that wicket-keeping offered him and struggled as a specialist batsman. It has taken him more than 4 years to reinvent himself as a batsman. It needed a management team that instills in him the confidence required to play his natural game. He got that in the form of McCullum and Stokes.
He was allowed to play his natural attacking game which many have seen in the limited overs format but not in Test cricket. His standout innings was the chase in the second test but the 100 in the 3rd test when England was tottering at 55 for 6 came really close. Chasing almost 300 to win, when you know that a draw is an option, but winning with more than 20 overs to spare, that was stuff of dreams.
The transformation of Ben Stokes
Whatever was Ben’s contribution towards captaincy, the real change in the England team’s attitude can be clearly seen in the way Stokes approached every innings. He usually takes a very longtime to get himself well set before his attacking instincts take over. It sometimes reaches ridiculous proportions. A Pujara would be proud. However, during this series, Stokes was at his aggressive best right from the beginning. Even during the 1st innings of the last test, he did not rein himself in. He continued with his flamboyance. The highlight was that both Bairstow and Overton weren’t required to play the situation.
England’s refreshing approach
Who was responsible for England’s approach? Was it Stokes or McCullum? Or was it a collective decision? Both of them said,
“I am aggressive but I think Ben has got me covered. He is really pushing the envelope and sending a strong message that this is how the team will play.”
Stokes added: “To walk away with a 3-0 series win against the best team in the world is a pretty special start.
“When I took over this job it was about more than results — it was about changing the mindset of the lads towards Test cricket, having fun, enjoying representing your country. Then the results will look after themselves.
“To say we’ve done it so quickly is unbelievable.”
Any positive for New Zealand?
There were. The batting of Mitchell and Blundell and the bowling of Boult were the positives. Williamson, true to his form in England, did not bother with run-scoring. However, for a team who is the current Test champions, the output was disastrous. If only they had won one test, this tour would not have been so sombre. The manner of the defeats were also a major concern. Not once did New Zealand looked like winning despite stiff targets. They will have to retrospect a lot.
Conclusion to a thorough and marvellous English performance
It was as comprehensive as it can get. 3-0 and that too chasing more than 275 runs in three consecutive games, the confidence of the England team will be quite high. Sub-continent, Australia and South Africa can wait but for now, they are allowed to bask in the glory of a wonderful series win. Next up is India.