Zac Crawley - a day to ponder what might be next ...
An uneventful first day at Headingley gave pause for thought …
Why, as England lead the series 2-0, and their visitors, New Zealand, are still unable to field their best team? And, what does a ‘dead rubber’ really mean?
Oh - also worth noting; England are on a roll. They are suitably enjoying the new stewardship of Ben Stokes, and coach, Brendon McCullum.
Working backwards though (as Stokes and Bairstow do)
A dead rubber is a Test match that cannot affect the outcome of a series. One of those many antiquated cricket terms, with no apparent meaning. Who cares? Enough of that.
On finding their best team; New Zealand welcomed back Captain Kane Richardson, and finally included the combative Neil Wagner. Kyle Jamieson (injury) and Matt Henry missed out from the second test.
For England; they were forced to make one change, with Jamie Overton replacing the injured, maybe rested, Jimmy Anderson. Does anyone else see an eerily close resemblance to Chris Silverwood, in Overton!
So, why should Zac Crawley headline?
Well, again it was a slow cricket day, especially when you give consideration to what has gone before in this enthralling series.
Zac Crawley must show a different hand in his batting when England start their first innings.
His good, is good, no question. The flip side is unsustainable.
Making runs when the cards lineup is relatively straight-forward, accumulating them when the cards are not running your way is another matter. He has many examples at hand.
During the winter, in Australia, Crawley stood at slip and watched the best, non-conforming batter ever, Steve Smith, make runs when he had no right to. And, then make runs when he should, either way, just scoring runs. Dealing in the only currency a professional batter should consider.
When the time comes today, Crawley will know: Southee, Boult, and Wagner will all challenge him.
He has to be clear on his own method; not Nasser Hussain’s take on his bat path, or Mike Atherton’s insecurity around his temperament. Surely, he must settle on his way, and own his method. I believe that might be good enough.
What was there of note today?
As mentioned, Jamie Overton came into England’s side. And it’s only right that his first Test wicket was a certain, Devon Conway. Significance - yes, you guessed it Overton hails from Barnstaple, North Devon. He is Devonian - kudos, or is that karma?
Stuart Broad kick-started England’s day. I’m not sure he is the motor-cycle type, however, he was excellent in the early-going. Left-handers seem mesmerised by Broad - Tom Latham’s uneventful series continued as Broad had him nicking to the dependable Root at slip. The hosts were off and running.
Then, a pretty impressive ‘set-up’ from Broad.
Challenging Kane Williamson on the outside, and inside edges, with a perfect in-between length - again, sorry for the negativity - this is the length he seemed reluctant to bowl in Australia. And more, Broad refused to accept that he consistently missed that length, or just flat-out rejected the feedback he was given.
Sorry, this perfect length had Williamson nicking to Ben Foakes. Broad accounting for New Zealand’s cornerstone.
Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand’s form batter, was reprieved by England’s DRS committee. They failed their responsibility not reviewing Potts v Mitchell - with the young prosecutor not showing the courage of his conviction.
Mitchell batted one spot lower than he did at Trent Bridge, where he made 190 and 62* - yes, that's 252 total, at a 252 average. He was un-troubled by the re-location. Why should he be? I have long believed there is too much conformity in batting-orders.
This time around he is enjoying a Leeds fish & chip supper with 78 runs in the bank, and, his partner-in-crime, Tom Blundell is set fair at the other end. Blundell will resume at 45* - and the partnership has clicked past 100, again.
Back to D Mitchell.
He had his way again with Jack Leach - his shot selection looks like a four slot roulette wheel - block, sweep, reverse-sweep, and down-town crowd scattering six-hitting. The only thing missing is the 0 slot - house money. Sadly for England, Leach is unable to deliver that.
Mitchell, in this series, is showing un-matched control and clarity in his batting.
As for Mr. Leach, I’m sure he read my last column. Mr.Green-fingers is now extending his middle digit in my direction! How could I liken him to a BBC gardening host? Today was a decent day for the Somerset man. Well done.
Last, but not least. The Headingley crowd - a tale of many different faces.
A slow-play day can afford some interesting crowd watching. The starkness of the crowd’s diversity amazes. Stoicism thrives in the real seats, while the cheap seats are awash with frivolity. In fact, most of the cheap seats are not used, it’s standing room only in the aisles.
Yorkshire cricket might be under the microscope presently. Fear not, they are as educated as any crowd in the country. Just ask them!
So, two questions for tomorrow - Day two.
How long will the Mitchell and Blundell partnership extend?
And, will Zac Crawley make some ‘dirty runs’?
Crawley will be served to think more about partnerships, over individual gain. Switch his focus, embrace the collective effort, diverting his internal chatter.
Start with Alex Lees, survive that, then start with Ollie Pope, and hopefully get to Joe Root. Root is clearly England’s best partnership batter.
Oh, and this morning, Crawley can watch how Mitchell and Blundell go about their business.
