A new domestic Test season commences at the beginning of June at Lord’s with a single match against Ireland, followed by a five match Ashes series, all done and dusted by the end of July so that the ECB’s vanity project can occupy most of August. One fears for the well being and fitness of the players participating in such a ridiculously compressed season. Expect large squads to be named.
England’s previous encounter with Ireland at Lord’s in 2019 was memorable for several reasons. The first day was on one of the (then) record breaking hot days. Many were late arriving due to railway lines buckling in the heat. England were all out for 85 before lunch, and despite a more convincing display by Ireland, England were batting again by the close of play. The match was also the debut of Jack Leach, whose principal contribution in England’s second innings was to the batting rather than bowling (he went on to accompany Stokes in the match against Australia at Headingley in one of the greatest innings in the history of the game, just by staying there). Broad and Woakes tore through Ireland’s second batting line-up on the third day to secure the victory before lunch. Despite its brevity, it was an enjoyable match, firing a warning shot across England’s bows.
That shot was ignored until England replaced Root as captain, and with it changed the game of Test cricket with the fresh approach of Stokes/McCullum/Key in the key positions. Thus far, no opponent has overcome the novel challenges that that new thinking has presented, but if any side will provide a severe test of it, it’s Australia. Pat Cummins has said Australia will play the way they always do, but that didn’t work when India, S Africa and Pakistan did the same. It’s probably the last time we shall see Warner (no loss there as far as I’m concerned), and without Archer (probably) one wonders how the threat posed by Smith will be countered. Much highly competitive cricket to relish here. Sensibly the first match in the series will be at Edgbaston, whose crowd in the Hollis stand will give the visitors an enthusiastic welcome to these shores.
England’s previous encounter with Ireland at Lord’s in 2019 was memorable for several reasons. The first day was on one of the (then) record breaking hot days. Many were late arriving due to railway lines buckling in the heat. England were all out for 85 before lunch, and despite a more convincing display by Ireland, England were batting again by the close of play. The match was also the debut of Jack Leach, whose principal contribution in England’s second innings was to the batting rather than bowling (he went on to accompany Stokes in the match against Australia at Headingley in one of the greatest innings in the history of the game, just by staying there). Broad and Woakes tore through Ireland’s second batting line-up on the third day to secure the victory before lunch. Despite its brevity, it was an enjoyable match, firing a warning shot across England’s bows.
That shot was ignored until England replaced Root as captain, and with it changed the game of Test cricket with the fresh approach of Stokes/McCullum/Key in the key positions. Thus far, no opponent has overcome the novel challenges that that new thinking has presented, but if any side will provide a severe test of it, it’s Australia. Pat Cummins has said Australia will play the way they always do, but that didn’t work when India, S Africa and Pakistan did the same. It’s probably the last time we shall see Warner (no loss there as far as I’m concerned), and without Archer (probably) one wonders how the threat posed by Smith will be countered. Much highly competitive cricket to relish here. Sensibly the first match in the series will be at Edgbaston, whose crowd in the Hollis stand will give the visitors an enthusiastic welcome to these shores.
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