Yep and I agree with him. I didn't, but with this brand of attacking cricket, why not? England absolutely cruising. Pope looks really good on 81 and Root set on 55. What an amazing turnaround from a few months ago. England wouldn't have chased down anything anywhere near what we've seen in this series. However, at some point, this attacking style will result in a 60 all out, but it's fantastic to watch and to feel confidence in an England cricket team again. I have no doubt at all that we'll hunt down these remaining runs tomorrow. (May have been different had NZ had a decent spinner).
What a terrific Test series....... Root looks like he's been re-born without the pressure of being captain....... have to ask, but at what point in the delivery do you decide to do a reverse scoop? To have the ability to do that in a run chase is just unreal....... Well done Jack Leach on a 10 fer............ loved the comment he made to Sky Sports when padded up as night watchman and asks Stokes if we're still going for it tonight........ Well done Headingley in giving free admission tomorrow, another sold out crowd for a 5th day........... All of a sudden the dark days of Tests in India and Australia last winter seem a long time ago........
Fair play to Leach. He's worked really hard at his game and it's paid off in this game. Hopefully he'll continue in the same way.
I think Stokes deserves a lot of credit for Leach's improvement. The faith he's shown in him has really paid dividends. He opened the bowling today!
Agreed. That's given him more confidence. I suppose he had to improve his skill set, which he has, before Stokes would have faith in him.
He's 31, so I don't imagine his skill set has changed a lot in the last few months. Stokes's captaincy, with McCullum's encouragement, has shown up how much Root as captain was holding England back.
He has been working behind the scenes with the coach and had dip, drift and more revs on the ball. He varied his pace better too. He wasn't anywhere near this level previously. He'll never be top class imo, but much improved.
All that in three months, that coach must be a genius. You're right that he wasn't performing at this level previously, but he would have had the ability without delivering it - a confidence thing. Stokes's confidence in him has in turn given him the confidence to deliver.
Crawley, been a bit disappointed with him being a Kent follower myself, he’s exciting but careless, time after time being caught behind or slips except today & didn’t get to the pitch of the ball & hit high on the bat, he needs someone to coach him about his technique, he’s a type of stokes & McCullum player when it comes off
He hasn't got the technique for opening in Test cricket, something that could also be said unfortunately for Buttler. Yes Buttler can open in the white ball format and smash it to all parts but against a moving red ball is another thing. We saw in our 1st innings how susceptible we are to the moving ball, even Root was undone early on and his ball didn't move as much. Having 2 openers that can grind the bowling down and see off the new ball is imperative to allow the likes of Bairstow and Stokes the freedom to come in and score at 5 an over. I am loving this new ideology and way we are going about it, we will see if comes off against India and Australia with their non stop quality of bowlers. It will be interesting to see how we bat in the sub continent when the majority of the bowling will be high class spin, Pakistan away this winter will be an intriguing watch !
The ex-players on Sky were explaining that Leach has vastly improved his skill set with the spin coach, since taking a hammering in previous series. Anyway, whatever. He's definitely improved and I hope it continues.
I don't doubt that the coaches will have had a hand, but it would be tinkering rather than transformational. I heard Leach himself credit the captain for his improved form. Anyway, as you say, long may it continue. England coasting home.
Gonna feel strange without Morgan in charge, he's been an incredible captain for the white ball team ! Cheers Eoin
Yep. Confidence, as you said and the backing of the skipper have made a huge difference. All over. Fittingly, Bairstow ends it with a six. Phenomenal stuff from England. What a turnaround!