After a long two months of IPL where all the world’s top players assembled to play the league, we are going to taste the freshness of Test Cricket. England and Newzealand are going to compete to show their Test supremacy. While Newzealand has its experienced players assembling to play the big guns, England will test their new captain-coach duo as they hit the ground. What to expect from the newly formulated team? Let’s find out about How they are gonna perform England’s new captain-coach duo.
Ben Stokes was missing from International scenes for almost a year. Owing to mental health issues and a thumb injury, the player hasn’t been able to put his best effort on the ground and decided to take a break from cricket. Since the news of his comeback has flared, it has gotten cricket fans around the world excited. Recently he was named the full-time Test Captain of the England side and that speaks volumes about the player. His approach to the game and his aggression and passion for Test cricket is something that many critics have appreciated and some even called him the ‘savior’ of the format in England. We can expect him to bring the same passion to the team as a leader because it is something that has been missing on the side for quite some time.
Brendon McCullum joined as England Test Cricket Coach for the upcoming Tests that are to be played against Newzealand, his former team. His appointment was immediately celebrated as many people expect that his approach to the game matches with the newly appointed captain and he can bring much-needed fierceness to the team. In another new appointment, the team manager was heard saying “I have no doubt, knowing Baz (McCullum), that he will have an instant impact. Brendon will bring that heart-on-the-sleeve type (of) play, I’m sure, into that England squad.”
The 15-member England squad includes two debutants in Harry Brook and Matthew Potts. The English are missing a good opening pair and that has been one of the reasons for them to fail miserably in the last couple of years. The team has been making regular adjustments but none has worked for them. If they have top 2-3 players clicking for them, it will be a good chance. Joe Root will enjoy the assistance from top order and perform better individually. The squad also marks the return of veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad whose exclusion led to broil in the English camp in the last ashes. Their return brings a balance to the team of new and experienced players and England looks like a force ready to change things.
Notably, England has won only 1 out of the last 17 matches they played. The team was in dire need of fundamental changes and we see that happening at the right time. The series is a part of the World Test Championship and England will look to win some points, playing at home, with confidence.
