The McCullum-Stokes era has been full of promise, entertainment and many nearly moments. A glimpse into how cricket can be played, but without the ruthless edge that has brought about results – the one thing that truly matters when all the talking stops – and the bails are taken off at the end of play.
England have spent these past few years preparing for their Ashes tour of Australia, with the hope that all the time spent honing the « Bazball » approach will pay off. So far, at 2-0 down in the series after the first two matches against, quite frankly, a sub-par (compared to usual) Aussies’ squad, the signs haven’t been all positive.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing for England’s supporters is that the team have been close in the first two Tests, while they’ve had their opportunities in the first day of the third Test as well. The first innings from Australia may well have opened the door to the visitors to get back into the series.
The hosts ended day one of the third test on 326-8, offering a chance for Ben Stokes and his side to get back into it with a fine first innings response.
While Joe Root has stepped up so far, England will need some top batting performances across the board to help bring the series back to 2-1. So, with that said, here’s a look at three stars who need to step up or face being dropped in the near future.
Ollie Pope
England’s top-order batting has been the main issue, with Ollie Pope among those who have struggled immensely over recent months. The 27-year-old hasn’t quite managed to find much form with the bat, top-scoring with 46 Down Under so far, picking up 106 runs over four innings this series.
There were already question marks over Pope’s place this summer, as he struggled at times against India, although a 106 score at Headingley and a 71 at Old Trafford seemingly justified his selection. The reality is that those moments have been way too few and far between.
Pope has been backed plenty during the Bazball era, but it’s time for him to step up and truly show why that has been the case.
Zak Crawley
There have been glimpses of promise with Zak Crawley opening up the batting, especially given the problems he can cause alongside Ben Duckett. However, the reality is that the pressure he has faced to get big scores and set the tone for England hasn’t helped with his displays so far.
Two ducks in Australia have put the side under pressure, although his 76 scored in Brisbane did show that he’s capable of leading from the front. That said, his silly dismissal in that innings showed exactly where England overall lack some more sensible batting across the board.
Given how much the team invested into that opening partnership for this series, it made sense not to change it so close to flying over. However, it may be time to freshen things up ahead of next summer, unless of course Crawley can show exactly why he has been backed.
With the match situation as it is, a top-class opening partnership could well transform England’s fortunes.
Harry Brook
There is clearly plenty of talent at the hands of Harry Brook, but he hasn’t always honed it in the best way. Shot selection has been a real problem for the 26-year-old, who is still viewed as one of England’s best technical batters, but his inability to read a moment has stopped him from showing all of that.
It was something he himself had admitted when speaking before the third Test. He said: « Sometimes I’ve got to rein it in a little bit, learn to absorb the pressure a bit more.
« I need to realise when the opportunity arises to put pressure back on them. I feel like I haven’t done that as well as I usually do. There’s no reason behind that, I just haven’t identified those situations well enough. »
Brook may not be under the exact same pressure as Crawley and Pope, due to the ability he has shown so far, but he needs to prove he can put all the pieces together to perform consistentlyat the top level. There’s enough quality there to dig England out of a hole, almost in a way only Stokes and Root really can, otherwise.
But Brook has to be able to show some greater awareness of the game state and the shots he is playing to get the most out of his ability. Otherwise, he risks putting England in more awkward positions.
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