Left Arm Around

An eight wicket thumping in Christchurch. A 323 run win inside three days at Basin Reserve.

As series wins go, and with one match still to play in Hamilton, England’s victory in New Zealand is as comprehensive as it probably gets away from home.

Harry Brook continued his remarkable start to Test cricket, Joe Root crunched a record-breaking 36th ton, Brydon Carse has burst onto the scene, Ollie Pope has shone at number six and 21-year-old Jacob Bethell has given captain Ben Stokes a whole heap of selection headaches after his outstanding performances at number three- a position he has never previously batted in first-class cricket.

But as we reflect on astonishing triumph, England’s first in New Zealand since way back in 2008, it’s hard to imagine that this has actually happened given the state of affairs only a month ago.

After all, England were supposed to be cooked, embarrassed and humiliated after a devasting series defeat in Pakistan.

They’d won the first Test in Multan by an innings after posting 800+, but soon wilted under the pressure of spin twins Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali to lose the final two by huge margins.

Many in the media were beginning to question the methods of ‘Bazball’ and the attack-minded approaches McCullum and Stokes are so very keen to drill home.

When it all goes well, it’s amazing. It’s brutal. It’s revolutionary. It’s scintillating to watch.

When it goes wrong, it’s brash, uncalculated and borderline arrogant to the way Test cricket ‘should’ be played in the eyes of traditionalists.

With ten wins and the same number of losses since the last New Zealand tour in 2022, it’s easy for people to argue about the inconsistency this side shows time and again. That stability is needed.

The Black Caps, however, were riding the crest of a wave.

Often coined the underdogs of international cricket, New Zealand headed into their three-Test tour of India with little to no expectations. With little to lose and everything to gain.

India hadn’t lose a home series since England’s magnificent 2-1 victory in 2012/13, meanwhile the Kiwis hadn’t managed a solitary win (let alone a series) in the country since 1988.

But after thrashing the hosts in Bangalore, dismissing them for only 46 in the first innings, they rammed home the advantage as their confidence grew further.

Winning the second Test by 113 runs in Pune to clinch the series, the Black Caps became the first side in history to whitewash India in their own backyard with a dramatic 25-run win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. And this was all without talismanic batter Kane Williamson.

So what happened? How did fortunes switch so dramatically?

Firstly, conditions.

Fresh from the alien spinning dustbowls of Multan and Rawalpindi, pitches very rarely favourable to visiting batters, Ben Stokes’ side have seemed rejuvenated by truer batting surfaces that bring the ball onto the bat easier. It feels more like home.

They may have found themselves in major strife across both the first and second Test, however Harry Brook’s genius and a more natural spot down the order for Ollie Pope have been instrumental in digging the Three Lions out of trouble. Fighting fire with fire, the Bazball way illustrates attack as the best form of defence.

On the contrary, New Zealand play the longest format in a largely traditional sense, looking to bat long and remain patient to grind out results- something that has been largely successful with only three series defeats at home in the last ten years.

But as England pressed their foot to the accelerator and wouldn’t let go, despite the loss of early wickets, it seems New Zealand’s bowlers couldn’t cope with the relentless nature of England’s attacks. They were left simply scratching their heads for answers.

As for the batting side, the Kiwis were always under the cosh given the pressure they were put under in the field.

They’ll incredibly disappointed by a number of soft dismissals from the likes of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, players you’d expect to do better, though it’s important to give credit where it’s due.

England have been tireless and hellbent in their pursuit of victory, being bold with selection calls and then their decisions on the field of play.

Jacob Bethell was never earmarked as a number three but Stokes showed belief in the young man’s talent.

Ollie Pope was trusted with the gloves and batting at six after a long stretch at first drop.

And in Brydon Carse, someone facing a career-threatening betting ban only a few months ago, they have discovered a genuine pace-bowler able to take key-wickets.

Say what you want about Stokes but this is a man who constantly gets the best out of his players.

Enjoy the ride while it lasts…. it’s going to be interesting!