After a magnificent and dominant display in the first test, the second test saw the magnificent and dominant display come from the Indian team.
The pitch and umpiring were both very poor, but so were England; and that was of course the costly factor against an on-fire Indian side.
We’re going to ignore the pitch and umpiring, but look at England and what the main long term issue for them in our view.
Before we start assessing the players and the issues, it is really important that we remember England have already achieved what many people believed would be a success in this tour; which is a test victory. They have also been steadily improving ever since Chris Silverwood took over, and have a great away record before this last test. So there is no reason for the panic that has been seen from some pundits and fans of the England team. They go into the third test at 1-1 and enter the unknown of a new stadium for a pink ball/day-night test knowing they are still firmly in this contest; especially with several returning players.
However, there is still some big question marks in the England starting XI that they will hope to have sorted come the first Ashes test in Australia; and the main question for us is all about the top 3 with the bat. There’s been plenty of talk about the second spinner (Moeen/Bess) and the rotation policy, but these are issues thsg should be much less concerning this summer and in Australia later this year. Here we’re going to discuss what England’s options are and what we feel is likely to happen with the top 3.
Firstly, we have to start with our openers which are still a selection headache. It seems the Dom Sibley has shown enough (both on the county circuit and since gaining his test cap) for the selectors and fans to believe that he is a genuine long term member as an opener; partly thanks to his ability to learn and adapt very fast. But the doubt now lies with Rory Burns. Burns was probably unlucky to not get his chance with England earlier, and did well in the main to begin with; although never had a high average. But since 2019 he has struggled and his average has dropped even further. It seems his time is running out and that the Ashes isn’t as close for him as it maybe once was. The other option to open currently seems to be Zak Crawley who deputised for him in Sri Lanka. Crawley opens for Kent and has been successful (his 267 being the highlight) at number 3 for England In the last 12 months, so it could be hoped that he is the natural successor at the top of the order.
The other possibilities for England include James Bracey (currently a reserve) or another youngster starring in this year’s County competition to stake a big claim and force themselves into the equation.
This then leads straight into the next big issue in England’s lineup, which is the number 3 spot. First drop is often considered the hardest place in the batting lineup and one that has hampered England for several years now. Fortunately for England they seem to have plenty of talented options for this role; although none have took ownership of it.
Crawley had appeared to take the role as his own last summer, however the above issues with the openers mean he may be quickly moved out of this spot as we’ve just spoken about.
For the current Indian tour, it seems very likely that Jonny Bairstow will fulfil the role should Crawley be utilised elsewhere. This makes plenty of sense in the sub continent where spin is long, as Bairstow is one of England’s strongest players against spin. But long term this is unlikely to be considered a good option as Bairstow is also known to have struggled against seamers with the red ball in recent years; so batting first drop in England and Australia seems counterintuitive.
The current incumbent is Dan Lawrence, who is a very very talented youngster with a great record for Essex and the England Lions. But he is often a number 4 or 5 batsman and so appearing at 3 in India (against Bumrah, Ashwin etc) seems an excessive early challenge for him; something that he is likely to be removed from for the remainder of this series. Long term he may be a good choice at 3, especially in England and Australia, but for now it seems a little bit too much, too soon in alien conditions.
One option that seems to be a more likely long term solution is moving Ollie Pope up the order. He is only recently back from a shoulder injury, but he is one of the best looking young batsmen around the globe and has shown glimpses of his massive potential. He’s currently down at 6 but many believe that his real position will be at number 3; although he maybe wants/needs a few big scores lower down the order before he ascends up it.
There’s also of course been talk over the years that both Root and Stokes should bat at 3, but Root is adamant that number 4 is his position and (as an all rounder) it seems very unlikely Stokes would be promoted unless unable to bowl. And there is again the option of James Bracey and other upcoming youngsters too should they have a good summer.
For us, the long term solution from the current players available/selected will be to have Sibley and Crawley opening, with Pope then in at first drop; opening a spot later in the order for Lawrence/Buttler/Foakes or someone new to fill. Sibley and Crawley look to have the highest ceilings as openers and appear to learn quickly, with Burns struggling badly. Meanwhile Pope seems to be England‘s best young talent with the bat and will be expected to be a mainstay in the side for the next decade or more.
Obviously it is likely that other new names will pop up throughout the year, and a reserve like the talented Bracey could easily force themselves into the team by the Ashes; so all is not lost or sorted for England yet.
There is other questions surrounding the England test team, but these appear to be a lot less fundamental to their success or failure. Many question who should be the wicketkeeper and what the bowling line up should be, however these are questions due to England’s strength in-depth and variety of options who we know will be successful in those roles. Thus they are less concerning and for many the decisions around them come down to the conditions the team are playing in and the fitness of the various players.
A more worrying question would be who is England’s best second spinner (and are they good enough to compete in the sub continent) but there is a long break after this series until that becomes a pertinent question and England return to the sub continent for test cricket. And so England should have plenty of time to continue to address their issues in the spin department.
The message of today should be clear: that England are a good side who are improving, but they still have top order issues to solve ahead of the Ashes down under and beyond should they want to be the worlds best side.
There is no need to panic yet, even should England lose the next two tests. But the key is to compete and learn and develop as a side.
Do you agree or disagree? Should England be panicking and worried by the second test? And what side would you pick to solve the top order issues?
Please let us know!
Don’t forget our next podcast episode will be out on Friday at the latest, ready for the weekend! We have two fantastic guests in Benny Howell (Gloucestershire T20 star) and Johnno Gordon (Woodstock Cricket MD) on the show; guaranteeing us an episode full of entertainment and great insight! So make sure you are subscribed and rest to listen!
Looking for new kit for the 2021 season? Then visit the website of our supporters: Woodstock Cricket Co.
Over on www.woodstockcricket.co.uk you will find plenty of the best quality equipment at affordable prices; ensuring you will be ready for new season!
In my own post yesterday I argued for Sibley and Crawley to open, and for Stokes to move up from five to three so that England have some experience near the top of the order (Root loses too much when he moves up) as a short term solution for this tour. Longer term (he has only played six first class matches as yet, so elevation would seem premature at this stage) if Tom Lammonby maintains the excellent start he has made to first class career he will be a possibility in the top order. I don't think it is quite panic stations yet, but the top order is in a bit of a state of flux.