I honestly don't think McCullum has done much more than install belief and confidence within the squad. They're playing like they were under Silverwood really with regards to batting (although I guess the openers are being more aggressive now) - it's just the mentality that has completely changed. And Stokes has definitely made a difference in the field with his energy and enthusiasm. Rob Key has pulled off an absolute blinder by appointing both of them (although Stokes was the obvious choice for captain).
They're playing to their natural inclinations, rather than some nebulous idea of how a test is meant to be played. England has a lot of batsmen that are naturally aggressive, and so that means a much more aggressive overall approach. But I'd imagine that they wouldn't be forcing a more cautious batsman to swing for the stands, either.
His strike rate in other formats seems to be reasonably high from what I can see. He was just naturally cautious as an opener for England because English openers have spent the past few years blocking awkwardly for five overs before getting anxious and waving at something four feet away from the stumps.
A SR of 46 in FC cricket isn't very high. But then again, he's an opener so it shouldn't be particularly high.
Not particularly low, either. Alastair Cook's career FC strike rate is 47. Pujara's is 42. Crawley's is 30!
Fair point. I did add to my post before you quoted it is that an opener's SR shouldn't be particularly high as part of their job is too see off the new ball.
So, England have made the 9th highest run chase in test history a walk in the park! Just astonishing.
And I think that's what it comes down to. You want to still have that balance, but you also don't want to let opening bowlers hunt for wickets without getting punished for mistakes. India has a world-class group of bowlers, but they've been clearly rattled by the relentless pressure.
Root has ensured that he'll be player of the series, thereby avoiding any awkwardness of it going to an absent Ollie Robinson.
Sensational. Simply sensational. It will be interesting to see what happens when England play tests in other countries but for now just WOW and enjoy the moment!
This recent run will make the whole cricket world sit up. This particular chase shows England could have reached in excess of 500 in the time they had left. Obviously they wouldn't do it every time, but it's such a breath of fresh air that they are prepared to go for it.
Not unrealistic that we could win all seven tests this summer. It's arguably the weakest SA test team to come over here in many years (eg no Smith, Amla, Kallis, ABDV, Steyn, Morkel, Philander - plus Bavuma injured) - and we're not going to be stupid enough to produce turning wickets for Maharaj and Harmer.
