As May turns into June, we have our first opportunity to see England under their new Captain Fantastic, Ben Stokes. The best test side on earth, New Zealand's Black Caps, threaten to give a side desperately short of confidence, runs, or wickets a serious hiding.
Yet in Stokes and McCullum we trust, and as the new era gets underway, I am excited to see new players get their chance. Harry Brook and Ben Compton are lighting the county championship on fire, with Malan, Haines, and Lees not far behind. England's best batsmen of the year so far, Jonny Bairstow, somehow finds his place under scrutiny yet again. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, and Dan Lawrence have not found form, and are rather lucky to be in the squad.
Bowling is more complicated. The legendary Anderson and Broad make their much-needed return, but every other seam/fast bowler in the country is apparently recovering on a spinal board. Meanwhile, Matt Parkinson finds himself to be apparently unpickable despite being England's most promising spinner by a hundred miles.
They will try, of course, but England and Stokes know that they are unlikely to win this series. Instead, this is the pioneering foray of a New-Zealand-led England team at a crossroads. Can they arrest the decline of the side, and forge a new path of recovery? Or are England destined to fall further into ignominy? Are Brook & Compton the second comings of Jesus Christ himself? Will Stokes manage his own workload effectively? Is there a bowler left in England? Which brand has the best new range? Will Parkinson get a game?
There is plenty to play for as the Stokes-McCullum era begins. Fingers crossed!
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Topic: England v New Zealand (Read 33819 times)