Restoring The Faith - An England Career

[Joe Baldwin]

After suffering a dreadful winter, England have slipped to 4th in the Test rankings. They are currently an impressive 2nd in the ODI rankings, and a lowly 7th in the T20 rankings - my aim, taking over the complete England setup, is to climb back to the top of the charts and restore some pride in our national cricket team!

As many will already know, the 2018/2019 season consists of a two-Test series with Pakistan and a one-off ODI with Scotland, before the ODI series with Australia. Then India come to visit in the main series of the summer, before England go on tour to Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the winter.

The first Test against Pakistan takes place at Lords, and there are the usual dilemmas. Who opens with Alastair Cook? Where does Root bat? How many bowlers do we go with?

All these, and the development of English cricket, will be answered and discovered throughout the coming year.

[Joe Baldwin]

PAKISTAN TAKE CONTROL OF FIRST TEST DESPITE BAIRSTOW DEFIANCE

England were indebted to Jonny Bairstow on Day 1 of the opening Test against Pakistan, as his brilliant century kept the score respectable as Pakistan dominated. England were five down by lunch and bowled out just after tea, and were subsequently unable to take a wicket in the final hour as the visitors made it through to the close unscathed and in a commanding position.

The Test side encountered various selection issues in 2017, with nobody staking a claim to the number 2, number 4 or the third seamer positions, and a difficult winter did nothing to help these dilemmas. Nick Browne and Liam Livingstone were selected here, with Mark Wood and Jack Leach also notable inclusions, and the inexperience told in a very difficult morning session.

Cook and Browne looked to have seen off the initial threat from the Pakistan openers Abbas and Amir, but Browne, having already survived a close LBW appeal, nicked an Abbas beauty to second slip for just 8. It was the story of the morning - England slumped to 106-5 at lunch, with only a late flurry of boundaries from Bairstow off the part-time spin of batsman Babar Azam pushing the score into three figures. Root, batting at 3, made just 11 runs, although Livingstone looked tidy in his 25 - however, the situation called for resilience, and the management will be disappointed he didn't read the situation as well as he should have.

One man who did take the fight to Pakistan was Bairstow, who looked in great nick. He was 26* at lunch, and continued to build a partnership with Stokes after the break - indeed, their sixth wicket stand was the first to surpass 50. When Stokes fell victim to Amir midway through the afternoon, the partnership was worth 52, with Stokes contributing just 11 to it.

At 133-6, the tail was supposedly exposed from one end with Stuart Broad at the crease, however both he and Mark Wood were able to provide support for Bairstow as England's keeper carefully picked his way through to a century. Hasan Ali starred with the ball, taking his third wicket when he trapped Broad LBW, but Bairstow was proving unbreakable and finally reached three figures with a superb cover drive - at a time when he was farming the strike with Anderson at the non-strikers end. His celebrations were somewhat tempered given the situation, and Ali finally dismissed him for 107 - an innings which included 17 boundaries.

England were bowled out for 236 with an hour of the day to go, so in the fading light, out came Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali. Their intention was clear from the off - get through to the close at all costs - and they did exactly that. The evergreen opening partnership of Anderson and Broad were able to completely stifle the scoring, but they couldn't make the breakthrough, and Pakistan survived 15 overs to reach the close on 26-0.

England have a lot of work to do tomorrow if they are to stay in this Test match. They lead by 210, but Pakistan have as much time as they need and all their wickets intact. The pitch does look like there's a little bit in it for the seam bowlers, but it's expected to be gloriously sunny all day and Pakistan will be looking to take advantage of the conditions.

[Joe Baldwin]

IMAM UL-HAQ PUTS ENGLAND TO THE SWORD

Pakistan enforced their dominance in this first Test courtesy of a brilliant knock from 22-year-old Imam ul-Haq, who scored 153 as the visitors built a first innings lead on Day 2. Two late wickets, including that of ul-Haq, have limited the damage that could still be done tomorrow, but today was all about one of cricket's rising stars, who put his name on the honours board at Lords in just his second Test.

Pakistan began the day on 26-0 after surviving a late onslaught on Day 1, and once again, Anderson and Broad were unable to make the breakthrough this morning. Step forward Mark Wood, who took the only wicket of the morning session, dismissing Sami Aslam for 28 with the help of a smart catch at short leg from Livingstone.

This brought Imam ul-Haq to the crease, and the scoring rate instantly rose. Azhar Ali's attritional performance was complemented by the swashbuckling shot making of Imam, who produced a wonderful knock to take the game away from England. The two built a partnership worth 103, before Ali finally fell for 59 - a big moment for Jack Leach as he looks to establish himself as England's lead spinner.

Pakistan were only two wickets down at tea and fast approaching England's total, but the evening session was arguably the first session the hosts won - Anderson and Stokes trapped Azam (21) and Shafiq (15) LBW respectively with the old ball, but Imam ul-Haq proved an immovable object, moving to his century with a ferocious cut shot behind square. The new ball caused some problems - Anderson found ul-Haq's edge, but the ball fell just short of second slip. England could have limited the damage further when Sohail nicked to Malan in that second slip position, but Malan shelled a straightforward chance and Sohail's reprieve allowed for another 50 partnership between him and ul-Haq.

Both fell in the last fifteen minutes of play as England wrestled some momentum back. First, Leach found Sohail's edge, allowing Livingstone to dive and catch the ball inches above the turf, before Stokes snared ul-Haq LBW - the Lords crowd giving the young talent a standing ovation as he departed for 153.

Pakistan closed on 320-6, a lead of 84 runs. For England to have any chance of winning the Test, they have to take the remaining four wickets in the morning session, and try to build a lead of about 100-150 by the close of Day 3.

As it stands, it's Pakistan's to lose.

[Joe Baldwin]

ENGLAND EMBARRASSED IN THREE DAYS AS PAKISTAN RUN RIOT

Pakistan's bowlers obliterated England in humiliating fashion on the third afternoon of the first Test.

With Pakistan resuming play on 320-6, it was essential for England's chances in the Test that they needed to take the remaining four wickets quickly and then bat with care and attention through to the close, building some sort of a lead in the process. This theory fell apart when Sarfraz Ahmed blasted his way to a 46-ball half-century in the morning, forming a 76-run partnership with the 19-year-old leg-spinner Shadab Khan in the process. Pakistan added 122 runs in the morning, reaching 442 all out after Imam ul-Haq's brilliant 153 yesterday.

Facing a deficit of 206, Cook played out a maiden that saw England through to lunch, but their problems started immediately afterwards. Amir Khan trapped Nick Browne LBW with the first ball after lunch - an inauspicious debut for Browne, who's golden duck followed a streaky 8 in the first innings and make it very likely he'll be replaced in the second Test. At no point did he ever look convincing.

Root was unable to steady the ship, caught in the deep for just 13, and both Livingstone and Malan also fell cheaply, leaving England on 41-4. Staring defeat in the face, England's first innings centurion Jonny Bairstow tried to steady the ship with Cook, but their partnership was worth just 32 when Shadab Khan found the shoulder of his bat, the ball looping to Asad Shafiq in close.

It was the biggest partnership of the innings. Stokes blasted three quick boundaries before falling for 13, while Cook then fell for the seventh wicket, scoring 27 from 65 balls as everyone collapsed around him.

Broad and Wood offered a little resistance, with the former in particular striking a few meaty blows to the fence, but it was all to no avail as Wood, Leach and Anderson fell without too much drama to leave England bowled out for just 139. Broad top scored, unbeaten on 34, while Abbas (4-44) and Amir (3-38) were the men to do the damage with the ball - England simply had no answer. Pakistan won by an innings and 67 runs.

The embarrassment opens up several old wounds. Nick Browne, who has a First Class average of 44, completely failed here, and will surely be replaced for the second Test. Livingstone showed glimpses of ability, but Malan, despite a positive winter, also flattered to deceive. The places of Broad and Anderson might also be up for grabs, with the combined figures of 1-166 from the 58 overs they bowled partly responsible for how Pakistan were able to build such a big lead - three wickets each for Wood, Leach and Stokes were the result of impressive bowling performances.

It remains to be seen how England will line up in the second Test in Leeds, but one thing is certain - they need a vastly improved performance if they are going to draw the series.

[Joe Baldwin]

ENGLAND RING THE CHANGES AS SECOND TEST SQUAD ANNOUNCED

England have made several alterations to the team as they look to recover from the heavy defeat at Lords. The most notable omission is centurion Jonathan Bairstow, who broke a finger and will be out of action for four weeks.

Nick Browne, who made 8 and 0 at Lords, is also dropped, while Dawid Malan and Mark Wood remain in the squad of 13 but have been told are unlikely to play.

England have not called up a replacement opener for Browne, fuelling speculation that Liam Livingstone will move up to open with Alastair Cook. The middle order will be bolstered by the recall of Gary Ballance, who has played 23 Tests and had a strong start to the County Championship season with Yorkshire, and Sam Northeast, who will be making his Test debut.

Bairstow will be replaced by Ben Foakes, who has a career First Class average of 40, and is likely to bat at seven - one place ahead of Chris Woakes, who returns in place of the unfortunate Wood as Anderson and Broad keep their places. Wood can consider himself unlucky to be dropped after three wickets in the Pakistan innings at Lords.

England Lineup:

1) Alastair Cook
2) Liam Livingstone
3) Joe Root
4) Sam Northeast
5) Gary Ballance
6) Ben Stokes
7) Ben Foakes
8) Chris Woakes
9) Stuart Broad
10) Jack Leach
11) James Anderson

England must win the Test in order to draw the series. Their previous series at home to Pakistan also finished in a draw, so anything less will see England lose one point in the Test rankings - far from the ideal start for the new management.

[Joe Baldwin]

BALLANCE PROVES HIS WORTH BUT ENGLAND FALTER AGAIN

Gary Ballance rewarded the selectors for their faith by scoring 72 on his recall to the Test side, but despite a partnership with Joe Root worth 119, England showed their nerves as they began this must-win match in lacklustre fashion.

The new look opening partnership between Alastair Cook and Liam Livingstone initially looked to be working. They saw off the immediate threat of Abbas and Amir, and England were 34-0 before Cook edged Hasan Ali behind for 15. This triggered a mini-collapse, with Livingstone falling in the next over and Sam Northeast, making his Test debut, lasting just four balls as the hosts slumped to 40-3.

Ballance and Root slowly rebuilt the innings, accumulating runs at a steady rate on a pitch which didn't offer much help to the bowlers once the new ball had been seen off. Indeed, both men made half centuries without offering Pakistan a chance. The pair showed exactly the kind of steel and resilience that was lacking in the first Test, and Ballance may well have secured his place in the India series. England's management will be hoping that Ballance can stake a real claim for his place and solve one of the selection dilemmas regarding the middle order.

Pakistan toiled throughout the afternoon, and had to wait until the evening session to make the breakthrough, which came when Abbas trapped Root LBW for 58.

Ballance was next to fall, making 72 before falling victim to a snorter from Amir, at which point the score was 191-5. 300+ looked on the cards.

However, Pakistan fought back late in the day, taking the three quick wickets of Foakes (6), Woakes (9) and Broad (10) as England closed the day on 236-8. Again, England had failed to build a commanding first innings total, and despite Stokes being not out and playing some decent attacking shots, Pakistan are in the driving seat in this crucial Test.

England need to avoid a repeat of Lords and bowl Pakistan out for something near their total in order to keep themselves in with a chance of winning this Test.

[Silly Point]

Great detail in your writing. Pretty brutal on Browne. I go the other way and persist with players for too long!

Joe Clarke and Matt Parkinson have made encouraging starts to their Test careers for me.

Ed Barnard and Chris Wood in ODIs. Hain would be doing alright if he didn’t keep getting run out and J Overton has faltered after a promising start. Would like to pick players like Plom, Brook and Rawlins but not much point when they’re not playing domestically.

https://www.sillypointcricketsite.com

[Joe Baldwin]

Great detail in your writing. Pretty brutal on Browne. I go the other way and persist with players for too long!

Joe Clarke and Matt Parkinson have made encouraging starts to their Test careers for me.

Ed Barnard and Chris Wood in ODIs. Hain would be doing alright if he didn’t keep getting run out and J Overton has faltered after a promising start. Would like to pick players like Plom, Brook and Rawlins but not much point when they’re not playing domestically.

www.sillypointcricketsite.com

I'm one of these players who can watch every ball and become immersed in the action, so I saw Browne play and miss, survive an LBW shout and then get out for 8, then go first ball in the second innings. I can be ruthless in that situation, though in fairness if he'd got a start I'd have persisted with him, and if they get a big score at any point then I pretty much trust them after that.

[Joe Baldwin]

ENGLAND FINALLY SHOW FIGHTING SPIRIT, BUT PAKISTAN HOLD FIRM

An even days play at Leeds ended with Pakistan arguably marginally ahead on the judges scorecards.

Beginning the day on 236-8 from their first innings, the tail was mopped up quickly, and England were bowled out for 251 - Stokes left unbeaten on 44. Youngster Shadab Khan finished with 4-52, his fledgling international career taking another stride forward.

The defensive opening partnership of Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali looked to be settling in for the long haul, but the introduction of Ben Stokes put paid to that. A great delivery castled Ali with the score on 38, and England capitalised on this opening, reducing Pakistan to 89-4. Jack Leach in particular shone, removing Azam and Shafiq cheaply, but it was Broad who snared the big wicket of Imam ul-Haq for just 7, getting him caught behind with a very thin edge.

Pakistan fought back throughout the late afternoon and evening sessions. The resolute Aslam proved impossible to shift, and he rebuilt the innings alongside the flamboyant Sohail, who played his shots and entertained the crowd.

Just as Pakistan looked to be laying the foundations for another healthy first innings lead, Anderson finally struck, getting the wicket of Sohail with the help of a catch from Broad. Sohail scored 73, by far the main contributor to the 95-run partnership he and Aslam put on for the fifth wicket.

Pakistan closed the day on 194-5, 57 runs adrift of England's first innings total. With the pitch showing a good amount of turn, Leach will be looking to add to his two wickets tomorrow - it's imperative England keep Pakistan within or very close to their total.

A strong partnership now and the series will surely be all over.

[Joe Baldwin]

ENGLAND TAKE CONTROL OF SECOND TEST

An excellent performance on the third day of the second Test as put England in a commanding position as they aim to level the series and maintain 4th place in the Test rankings.

Resuming on 194-5 and with opener Sami Aslam playing a resolute innings, it looked like Pakistan could run away with another convincing first innings lead in reply to England's 251. However, early in the morning Stokes found the edge of Aslam's bat, and Foakes snaffled the opportunity to remove the 22-year-old for 77 - he's yet to make a century in 16 Tests at the top of the order.

The last recognised batsman, keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, was dismissed by Anderson for 23 with the score 225-7, but another decent cameo from wonderkid Shadab Khan pushed Pakistan into a lead.

The introduction of Jack Leach immediately after lunch paid dividends. With Pakistan 255-7 and in a strong position, Leach bowled Khan for 23 and trapped Hasan Ali LBW for 8 as the tail was dealt with swiftly. When Broad took the wicket of the obdurate Amir, Pakistan had been bowled out for just 260, scoring just five runs for their last three wickets.

Pakistan led by just 9 runs, a fine effort from England with the ball after a disappointing batting display. Once again Leach impressed - his 4-69 made him the pick of the bowlers, while there were two much needed wickets apiece for Anderson (2-51) and Broad (2-45). There's a very strong case to keep the Anderson/Broad/Woakes/Stokes/Leach bowling attack for the big India series later in the summer.

Opportunity for England, and Liam Livingstone in particular. The sun had come out, conditions were decent and his 19 in the first innings not enough to impress at the top of the order. He set about his work, naturally the more aggressive of the partnership with Cook, and he played a measured, considered knock, taking England through to tea unscathed.

It was not a day for Amir, Abbas and Ali, who for once missed their mark. Cook and Livingstone cashed in, and the latter reached his half-century midway through the evening session. They then passed the hundred partnership mark as Pakistan wilted, but the stand came to an end at 105 - Shadab Khan sneaking one through the gate and flicking Livingstone's bails to the ground. He scored 61, the 24-year-old's first Test half-century.

Root came to the crease, and took over where Livingstone left off. Cook passed 50, and Root played his strokes as England made it through to the close on 160-1, a convincing lead of 151. Cook is approaching three figures yet again in his Test career, and England are in a commanding position with nine wickets in hand.

Clouds are expected to roll in tomorrow evening, so England look on course to build a big lead in the first two sessions, have a bowl towards the end of the day and go for the win on Day 5.

Time will tell if they can do it.

[Joe Baldwin]

COOK AND ROOT LEAD FROM THE FRONT AS PAKISTAN SET TO FACE FINAL DAY BARRAGE

An excellent fourth day from England has left the second Test at Leeds finely poised as the hosts look to level the series.

Resuming on 160-1, Cook and Root continued to build a strong second wicket partnership, and Pakistan resorted to defensive fields with no slips as they waited for the declaration.

Root reached his half-century in the morning session and went on to score 86 before Abbas trapped him LBW - at which stage England were firmly in control at 252-2. Cook had just completed his century, and it was time to try and ramp up the run rate.

England's more aggressive approach after lunch did lead to a few wickets falling. Cook was stumped for 122 off the bowling of Shadab Khan, while Northeast showed glimpses of ability in his knock of 27. In the end, England declared with an hour of play to go in the evening session. The clouds had rolled in and their score of 349-5 meant that the target for Pakistan was 341.

It was arguably an attacking declaration, as Pakistan have shown their batting strength in the first Test and throughout the series. England simply needed ten wickets from about 105 overs, and a couple before the close of play would really put them in the driving seat.

In an enthralling final hour, Anderson and Broad threw everything they had at Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali. But with the ball swinging round corners in overcast conditions and fading light, and despite a few play-and-misses, the Pakistan openers held firm, reaching the close on 21-0.

England were disappointed not to take a wicket in that mini-session, but the situation going into tomorrow is simple. Pakistan need 320. England need 10.

[Joe Baldwin]

RAIN MAKES FINAL DAY A DAMP SQUIB AS PAKISTAN EASILY HOLD ON

Pakistan secured the draw they needed to win the two-Test series 1-0 - a result which lifted them above England in the Test rankings.

England needed to take ten wickets on the final day, but a combination of extremely defensive batting from Pakistan openers Aslam and Ali, and rain which robbed England of an hour and a half in the middle of the day, meant that the visitors were relatively untroubled.

Pakistan set their stall out early in the day. Resuming on 21-0, England had a full slip cordon and men around the bat throughout the morning session, but Aslam and Ali weren't interested in scoring runs. Soon it became clear that only a miracle would prevent the match from ebbing away from England, and when the rain started falling at 12:15pm, that feeling was exacerbated.

Play didn't resume until nearly 2:30 in the afternoon, and both openers reached half-centuries in what was left of the afternoon session. Tea arrived, and England still hadn't made the breakthrough.

In the evening session, England did manage to take a couple of wickets, but it made no difference to the outcome. Aslam was caught by Stokes off the bowling of Leach for 63, while Stokes did for Imam ul-Haq in the very next over - the young prodigy scoring just 1.

The day can be summed up by looking at the bowling figures. Jack Leach, who took 1-54 from 24 overs, was by a distance the most expensive bowler.

You could say Pakistan played anti-cricket. But you also have to say that Pakistan won the series, and that is the most important fact.

There are some positives for England. Liam Livingstone looked good at number two, while Cook and Root both made runs in the second Test - the latter being voted Man of the Match at Leeds. In Jack Leach, England have uncovered a very promising spinner - he took 8 wickets at 25.00 in the series, making him a shoe-in for the first Test against India.

However, the fact that Anderson and Broad took 5 wickets between them in the entire series is a real worry. It could be said that the India series will be make-or-break for their Test futures, although both are enjoying excellent First Class seasons - Anderson has 51 wickets at 23.00 while Broad has 40 wickets at 25.92. Compared to Wood, Stokes and Woakes, who have hardly played any First Class cricket all season, this compares extremely favourably.

It may be time to try another seam option at Edgbaston against India - Jamie Porter and Ben Coad are potential options with the future in mind, while 32-year-old Mark Footitt could be a short term option with 48 First Class wickets this season.

England have a lot of white ball cricket to come before then, however. A one-off match with Scotland in Edinburgh is followed by a five-match series against Australia as the top two ranked ODI sides meet. Then, after a T20 international against the Aussies, there are three T20's and 3 ODI's against India to focus on before the Test series starts.

Next up - the Auld Enemy.