Anyone who thought that this series would be a walk in the park for England will have quickly reassessed their beliefs after such a comprehensive mauling by the men from the Caribbean in Barbados this week.
The manner of the defeat is surprising however, England’s seventh heaviest defeat of all time in terms of runs. England have been in excellent test form in recent months and will have been full to the brim with confidence after the series whitewash of Sri Lanka in their own backyard before Christmas.
Perhaps too confident.
Given the difference in ranking positions, complacency is often thrown about in the wake of such a defeat. For me, we should be focusing on the brilliance of the Windies.
Take Jason Holder. A man who was given the captaincy just a few matches into his test career. There have been comments on social media, some by former international cricketers, seemingly belittling his monumental efforts in this first test. ‘If Holder got a double hundred then England can chase 600+’, as if he is some no hope tailender.
Holder is 36 matches into his test career. His unbeaten 202 in this test is now his highest score and he is averaging as near as makes no difference 34 with the bat, marginally more than England’s Ben Stokes. This, whilst leading an international team through a time of uncertainty, change and, at times, turmoil. The giant Barbadian is therefore anything but a rabbit.
In fact, of the ten cricketers currently ranked in the ICC’s Test Championship All-Rounder Rankings, only Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has a better batting average at present (39) than the level-headed Windies skipper.
What’s more, only three of England’s team for the current test average more than Holder.
There’s no denying the fact that Holder has lead his team with dignity and grace, but has the ability to motivate then. He acts as a role model for teammates both young and old and will continue to drive the Windies forward in the future. Performances like this will do him and the team a world of good.
On the other hand, England were, well, awful.
Just why Stuart Broad was left out is anyone’s guess. One of England’s all time greats not selected for the opening test of a series is baffling. I understood it in Sri Lanka. The pitches weren’t suitable to his style of bowling. Fine. But here it was a different story. The pitch was never going to be a real turner. The fact that the home side left out their front line spinner should have been a clue. We will ignore the fact that Roston Chase blew England away in the second innings with an 8for, without really turning too many! With three spinners in the touring party, you’d hope the batsmen will be able to get some much needed practice in before the next game!
Jennings isn’t producing at the top of the order. He seems to be statuesque at times and keeps getting found out with the full ball, twice in this game. I’d be fearful of him opening for England against the pace of the Australian’s this summer.
Not that the rest of the order has been much better of late.
England had a largely impressive and successful 2018 in test cricket. Despite that, the averages of their top order batsmen in the last 12 months is somewhat less impressive;
- Burns – 30.12
- Jennings – 26.82
- Bairstow – 29.59
- Root – 38.96
- Stokes – 25.95
- Buttler – 41.57
- Moeen – 16.75
Buttler, and potentially Root, aside, it is pretty slim pickings. It is unfair to include Burns as he has played only a handful of test matches, but the others are now experienced international cricketers. Too often England have been 20/3 only to recover and be rescued by the excellence of their bowlers, including an incredible effort by the spinners in Sri Lanka. For a team that has the best ODI batting outfit in world cricket, the test team is simply not doing it.
I would be tempted to bring Joe Denly in for the next test in place of Jennings. A left hand / right hand combination may help break up the rhythm of the bowlers and offer up some more scoring opportunities.
Depending on the wicket for the next game, I would be tempted to leave out Adil Rashid. Broad has to play. England only have three test matches left until the start of the Ashes in August and time is running out to find out what our best line up is.
But, forget the Ashes for now. There are two tests remaining in this series and the visitors need to win both.
Judging on what we’ve seen this week, that will be easier said than done.
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Feature image : theweek.co.uk
Holder image : mid-day.com
YORKED 