Day 59: England find questions in defeat

 When you win most of the time, it can mask problems you didn’t know you had or were willing to overlook. It was something that faced the Australian team after the 2017 World Cup. The balance of that side wasn’t right, and although Rachael Haynes could only get in that side as captain, she has since become an essential part of a team that has been at the top of the women’s game ever since.

While one loss by England isn’t anything to worry about, they got outplayed by New Zealand that hadn’t won an ODI in 11 attempts.

The form of Danni Wyatt is worrying. Wyatt has been out of form for some time. It is important for England that she finds a way to get back in the runs. With her firing at the top of the innings with Tammy Beaumont, it gives England’s middle order more freedom to attack later in the game.

After Heather Knight, Nat Sciver, and Amy Jones, is the batting that comes after that good enough to punish teams? It does come down to if there is enough talent coming through to push for a place in the top seven.

The problem is that since the outbreak of Coivd-19 domestic players have had no more than seven games to prove themselves and England’s contracted players even few. It makes it hard for selectors as they will always be tempted to go with what they know. It makes this summer of domestic and international cricket all the more crucial. If England isn’t scheduled any games during the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, every England contracted player needs to play games.

It’s not just the batters that are under pressure to perform. England’s pace attack has relied on Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole for too long. With Shrubsole injured and Brunt rested for the third ODI, England could not take advantage of early breakthroughs, and Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr took the game away from England.

How do England approach a team without Brunt and Shrubsole? Who are the bowlers behind them that can fire England to victory? Kate Cross and Freya Davies are obvious candidates. Then there are Tash Farrant and Katie George gives you a left-arm option that varies the attack.  

England will not want to rush Issy Wong, who, at only 18, is one of England’s most exciting fast bowlers; along with side Lauren Bell England have good young bowlers; you feel 2022 might be a year too early.

In Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn, England have two outstanding spinners. Both look to take the ball away from the right-hander, and maybe England will want to find an off-spinner which they have been missing since the retirement of Laura Marsh. Knight, of course, can fulfil that role, although she seems reluctant to do so.

One defeat doesn’t mean that England have to reinvent their approach, but it does make for an exciting summer as England look for new heroes they didn’t know they had.

Day 58: Frustrations at India Squad announcment

I can imagine one of the most challenging jobs in cricket is picking a squad. Many variables make selecting the best group of cricketers is not easy. Injury, unavailability for non-cricketing reasons, loss of form, the form of others and so on can impact the players you choose.

While it is never easy, you can be accountable for your reasons; sometimes, it is a gut feeling where you feel that because of the conditions or the opposition, a player will impact. That is totally fine. I accept those decisions, and most selectors around the world would tell you just that.

With every job in cricket, there comes accountability. Selecting a team should be no different. That makes the announcement of the latest India women’s squad all the more strange. Some high profile players are missing from the squad to play South Africa at the start of next month. We are none the wiser for the omission of some and the selection of others.

This can be dangerous in the sense that without reason, speculation will always take its place. Transparency helps not just the team and selectors but the public that supports the team.

It came as a surprise when Ekta Bisht, Shikha Pandy, Veda Krishnamurthy and Taniya Bhatia were all dropped for the India squad announced today. These are players that have helped India become one of the best women’s international teams.

India may have lost both World Cup finals the have qualified for in the last three years, but they have had the players to get them there. They nearly won the World Cup final in front of a packed Lord’s, so to get rid of players pivotal in their rise without explanation is bizarre.

Some commentators know the Indian game far better than I could ever imagine to are outraged by today’s news. It isn’t so much that the players who have made the squad don’t deserve to have their chance on the big stage; it is how the BCCI has bungled the whole thing.

Women’s cricket is a serious business around the world. India were on the verge of winning a World Cup, yet the powers that be seem to treat not just the international team but also the prospect of a Women’s IPL as an afterthought.

Better planning and more consideration from the top levels would have seen India the number one team in the world right now. Australia and England do not have the same resources to keep up with a properly supported India Women’s team.

I have felt the frustrations of so many today. They have and will be able to articulate their anger than I ever could.

Day 57: New Zealand v England 2nd ODI match report

Natalie Sciver put in a player of the match performance in the second ODI at University Oval, Dunedin, by seven wickets. It was another dominating performance for England, who sealed the series with a game to spare.

England made one change to their line-up; Kate Cross replacing Freya Davies, who had a good game in the previous game. Cross wasn’t given the new ball, which seniority in the attack might have afforded her. Nor did Tash Farrant, the left-arm seamer who can swing the ball early on.

Sciver was the bowler chosen to open the bowling alongside Kathryn Brunt. It isn’t the first time Sciver has been given the role. With Brunt absent at the 2018 World T20. It worked well then, and so it did today. Given that extra responsibility, She thrived.

Alongside Brunt, who never makes life easy for batters, New Zealand found life challenging. Brunt accounted for both openers inside the first three overs, and from there on, it was going to be tricky for New Zealand.

Much would rest on the shoulders of Sophie Devine and Amy Satterthwaite. Devine spooned a catch to Farrant for six before Sciver bowled Amelia Kerr for two.

New Zealand were soon in deeper trouble when Satterthwaite gloved Cross behind. There was little in the way of celebration, but Satterthwaite had started to walk off. Her teammate Katey Martin appeared to question her decision; Satterthwaite knew it would be of no use.

Things were looking dicey for New Zealand. At 35 for five, a competitive total looked a long way off. Their lower-order rallied. While the top order had failed to get a partnership, Brooke Halliday managed to find batters willing to stick around with her.

In only her second ODI, Halliday top scored with 60, to bring up her second fifty in as many matches. She disrupted England’s line and length. It was Sciver who accounted for her caught behind.

Hannah Rowe and Jess Kerr added 57 for the ninth wicket, and although the momentum shifted, it was going to take something special for New Zealand to win from there.

It did look possible when Heather Knight was run out for eight by her opposite number Devine. England were 12 for two. It never got better for the hosts after Sciver and Tammy Beaumont added 103 for the third wicket.

Beaumont, with 72 not out, was again in good touch. The opener anchored the innings and gave Sciver 63 from 61 balls and Amy Jones 46 from 45 balls to play some shots.

It was another professional performance from England, who dominated the game from the start. They may look to change personnel for the final ODI but don’t bank on it. While they are winning, they will feel they want to keep it going.

It is worrying for New Zealand, who have now gone 11 ODIs without a win. With nothing to lose from the final ODI, we might see a Devine loosen the shoulders and give some entertainment to a New Zealand crowd who are willing their stars to give them something to smile about.

Day 56: Do the men support the women?

There was a moment when I was at the Women's World Cup 2017 semi-final when I nearly bumped into Mitchel Starc. Australia had just taken an early wicket. I hadn't made my seat by then, and as I turned to go and find somewhere to make camp for the day, there was the tall Australian fast bowler.

I was reminded of it today as Rory Burns reacted to one of Alex Hartley's tweets. Hartley's tweet said, "Nice of the England boys to get this test match finished just before England Women play tonight."

Anyone who knows Hartley will realise that it was meant to promote the women's game; there was no disrespect towards the men. It was light-hearted and consistent with the wit that Hartley offers.

It made Rory Burns reply all the more strange. He replied, "Very disappointing attitude considering all the "boys" do to support the Women's game."

Which made me wonder what support exactly Rory? It isn't exactly turning up at games and offering support from the ground. There are seldom and vocal support on social media. So what support do the men offer?

If you look at it in terms of financial support, then, of course, the England men's team brings in revenue. Bums on seats at test matches bring in a lot of income. Not as much as the Sky Sports money, though. Which, of course, is a package that includes women's match.

The ECB's commitment to make the Hundred an equal tournament for both the men and women is commendable. The prize money is the same, and there will be more of a presence of the women's game in front of the television cameras.

It is why I remember the Starc incident; it may have helped that he is married to one of the star women's players in Alyssa Healy. You feel that even if this wasn't the case that the men's and women's teams have a closer bond in supporting each other. Years of the WBBL and BBL hosting doubleheaders and being part of the same franchise system can only be of benefit.

In 2016 West Indies won both the men's and women's World T20 on the same day. Both teams celebrated together that victory. It was a great scene, one that will live long in the memory.

There has never been a 'us or them' attitude with Australia or the West Indies; we all play for the same team and celebrate the successes and losses together.

Which makes Burns' claims bizarre; I have never seen that same level of support. It could just be an ill-advised comment in the frustration of defeat.

The quotation marks around the word boys suggest a misunderstanding of the context that Hartley was using. The language used to describe the women's game has been derogatory for years, and for the keyboard, trolls are still evident.

There is still a long way to go for the women's game to get the acceptance it deserves. If Burns and the rest of the men's game really support the women's game, they aren't doing a good enough job of getting the message across.

There are easy steps to change that. A good luck message to international and county colleges wouldn't go a miss at the least. At this year's Hundred competition, they could get along and earlier and support from the ground.

Even when they finish playing, they could get valuable experience coaching, even if Graeme Swann is opposed to that idea.

 

Day 55: England need to improve quickly

 After the loss that England suffered in the second Test, it was always vital for them to come back strong in the third. With a day-night Test, the game currently underway should have been the game to show some fight and put India on the back foot with one match left after this one.

It didn’t work out that way. When you look into why things have gone wrong since the comprehensive win in the first Test, there are many reasons.

You could look at the conditions of the pitch in that second Test. Or is it more a fundamental inability of England’s batsmen to play spin. The first of those reasons is as good an excuse as any. It wasn’t the best pitch, but in the end, England were outplayed.

It would be an easy argument to say that the way the English season is set up doesn’t allow English players to develop against spin.  There is more than one way to help these players bat against spin. Better game management is vital, knowing when to play a particular shot, which line to play down. Match practice is one way to do that; does that have to be in county championship matches? England needs to expose their players to as many conditions as possible. More Lion’s tours to Asian countries would be a good start.

While England’s rotation policy is admirable to ensure that players mental health and general burnout doesn’t happen in a busy year, there appears at times muddled thinking. The way the ECB handled the Moeen Ali situation showed this. I do believe Joe Root misspoke, but it wasn’t a good look.

Generally, a settled dressing room performs better. While this was always going to be a difficult series, England teams have, for the most part, struggled in India and those that have triumphed had good plans with players knowing their roles.

It is, of course, only one day into this Test, and things can change quickly. England will have to bowl very well in the morning to ensure that when they bat again, India aren’t too far ahead.

Zak Crawley was the only batsman to come out of the first innings with any credit. You would expect Dom Sibley and Jonny Bairstow to make more of an impact in the second innings. They, of course, aren’t the only ones. Joe Root can’t be expected to score the runs every time. It is time for some players to prove that they are good players in all conditions.

Day 54: England back in ODI action

There was an element of business as usual from England against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Much had been made of England's absence from the ODI format since the end of 2019. They needn't of worried. Heather Knight's team showed that they are still one of the best teams in the world.

That isn't to say that they haven't still got things to worry about or work on. The biggest surprise was the inclusion of Tash Farrant and Freya Davies; the perceived wisdom was that either one or neither of them would play.

With a player like Kate Cross in the squad, it would have made sense that she would have supported Kathrine Brunt as one of the opening bowlers. Both Davies and Farrant started the day with a cap each. Neither looked out of place; with a busy 2022, this year is the perfect opportunity for England to fine-tune for two World Cups in different formats and the Commonwealth Games.

With more bowlers getting the experience to prove they are good enough, what about the batting line-up. It has felt like a closed shop for players outside of the contracted core. It could be argued those not in the squad haven't put enough pressure on the established batters. In last years Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Sophie Luff and Georgia Adams will argue they have scored the runs to disprove that.

Of course, it puts pressure on the batters that are playing. While Danni Wyatt's place is relatively safe, it always feels as if someone was to make way in the top four, it would be her. That is more down to Tammy Beaumont's quality, who showed once again why she is one of the best with a knock of 71.

With captain Knight batting at three and Sciver at four and Amy Jones, the wicketkeeper, the only other slot in the top order under threat is Fran Wilson's, a fantastic fielder and an experienced player; it is hard to see where a new player would fit in.

New Zealand, you feel, have some difficult questions of their own to ask. New Zealand have now lost their last 10 ODIs, and after their display in their previous ODI, it is hard to see where their next win will happen.

It is a shame that they don't have a player of Rachel Priest's quality to call upon; with Suzie Bates also out injured, the batting looks light. Only Hayley Jensen (53) and Brooke Halliday (50) on debut contributed with runs.

Halliday was too far down the order and should have been in the top three. Too much in the New Zealand batting relies on Amy Satterthwaite and Sophie Devine. If they fail, then their side usually falls short of competitive totals.

That being said, England were outstanding in the field. They took some very good catches and put New Zealand under pressure. It was always going to be difficult from that point on.

New Zealand aren't a bad side, and they will turn things around; it just if they can do it soon enough to get something out of this series.

Day 53: New Zealand v England preview

 

On the day of the third ODI, England and New Zealand should have played each other in a World Cup group game. The cancellation of that tournament was taken out of their hands by the ICC. If any country could hold a multi-team competition in a global pandemic, it was New Zealand.

Women's cricket has been hit hard with COivd-19, meaning qualifiers and bi-lateral series cancelled. Therefore, it is to New Zealand and England's credit to organise this series of three ODIs and three T20s.

England has not played an international since September when they comfortably beat West Indies in a T20 series. Their last ODI was in December 2019. New Zealand had played more recently when they failed to cause Australia too many problems. What will be to New Zealand's advantage is they are well into their domestic season; they have been playing competitive cricket.

England is a very professional unit; they are often asked to switch on and be competitive with little match practice. Even if you look at their international series preparation at home, most players would have a few county games under their belts.

What bodes well is their recent good form over New Zealand. At the same time, New Zealand won their last ODI fixture between the two sides at Leicester in 2018. You have to go back to 2015 for New Zealand's previous win.

Even without Suzie Bates, New Zealand has some world-class performers and cannot be underestimated. Captain Sophie Devine has been in supreme form in the Super Smash. She scored an unbeaten 117 in that game at Leicester. It was a knock that had the press box on their feet. Devine is the sort of player while you expect to perform still exceeds expectations.

While New Zealand has some great batters, they have been able to bat consistently enough to put bowling attacks under pressure.

While it is possible to predict England's batting line-up, the bowling attack is less secure. Kathrine Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone are they only bowlers secure of a spot. However, Sarah Glenn is virtually guaranteed a spot. The leg-spinner is highly thought of; her batting is also expected to mature.

That means the remaining spots will be between Freya Davies, Kate Cross, Tash Farrant and Mady Villiers. With Heather Knight able to bowl off-spin, they may opt for two of the seamers. With England looking for depth behind Brunt and Anya Shrubsloe, when free from injury, will be interested in seeing what direction they go in.

With only one ODI cap to her name, it would be the perfect opportunity to give Davies some match time in the New Zealand games ahead of next years World Cup.

New Zealand includes two uncapped players in batter Brook Halliday and left-arm spinner, Fran Jonas. Both have had good domestic seasons and what better time to make your debut against the world champions.

Where New Zealand match up is in the bowling department. Amelia Kerr, the leg-spinner, is a world-class talent, and in Leah Tahuhu, they have a bowler that can cause England's top-order problems with her pace.

New Zealand will go into the first game full of confidence. Their players are all match fit with recent games in the bank if they go at England hard in the first game, and under Devine, that is a real possibility they could win this series.

England, though have the experience and skill to win even if they are a little undercooked.