VENUE: LORD’S, LONDON
TIME: 11:00 LOCAL TIME (10:00 GMT)
THE GAME:
Cricket viewers are finally in for some enthralling and ‘unadulterated’ action as England and New Zealand lock horns at the Mecca of Cricket. Both the teams have adopted similar strategies in the past. Swing bowling has been strength for both these talented sides. But off late, the approach of the two captains towards the game has been poles apart. While Alastair Cook was drubbed as a “boring” captain by Shane Warne; Brendon McCullum has been lauded for his aggressive moves. Even in the World Cup, McCullum would ably support his bowlers by deploying 3 slips and a gully.
The recent Test form of the two sides has been contrasting to say the least. England were simply below par in the Caribbean and had to remain content with a drawn series. The Kiwis on the other hand have asserted that dominance across several teams. They drew a three match series in UAE 1-1, a feat worth applauding for sure. Then at home against Sri Lanka, they whitewashed the visitors 2-0 to win the series. Brendon McCullum’s proactive and aggressive captaincy has played the biggest role in this turnaround for New Zealand. It is because of skippers like McCullum that today as well people love the charm of Test cricket.
England needs to get things in order and without wasting a lot of time. After the series against New Zealand, they brace themselves to face a rampaging Australian side in the Ashes. It will absolutely safe to assume that England by no means are the favorites for this series even though they play at home.
RECENT FORM (LAST 5 TESTS):
ENGLAND:
Against West Indies: L, W, D
Against India: W, W
NEW ZEALAND:
Against Sri Lanka (W, W, W)
Against Pakistan (W, D)
KEY PLAYERS:
IAN BELL:
Undoubtedly England’s most fluent stroke maker at present, but Bell has been struggling form in Caribbean eventhough he scored a fine ton against the West Indies and his Test form can always assure England of safety. Since Jan 2014, Bell might not have been at his best statistically, but he has always looked good. Against the likes of Southee and Boult, Bell’s role will be extremely crucial. With Alastair Cook himself struggling for runs since the last 24 months, the responsibility is on Bell to hold England batting together. His role becomes even more significant if the top three are dismissed within the first session itself!
JAMES ANDERSON:
If you could summarize the English bowling in just one name, it would surely be James Anderson. Anderson recently went past Sir Ian Botham as the leading wicket taker in Tests for England. Anderson is known to have a history of troubling the best batsman in the opposing team. Anderson has been a massive source of trouble for the likes of Tendulkar, Kohli, De Villiers and McCullum. He simply relishes the prospect of swinging the ball in home conditions. Anderson’s performance in this series will dictate the success for England. An off series for Anderson could easily mean a New Zealand victory.
BRENDON McCULLUM:
Brutal, brilliant and sensational are the only adjectives to describe this beast! McCullum has been on a spree of sheer mayhem. Be it Tests or ODIs, McCullum follows the same approach of treating the bowlers with utter disdain. He loves to dance down the track and hit over the fielders. His ability to cut and pull at will has improved massively as well. Since Jan 2014, McCullum averages 65.88 in tests with a triple century and two double centuries to his name. Not to forget, he has a knock of 195 to his name as well. Like Virender Sehwag, McCullum too is revolutionizing the outlook of Test cricket. He would want to begin the England tour with a memorable knock as well.
TRENT BOULT:
Boult has been among the most successful Test bowlers in recent times. Under the ruthless captaincy of McCullum, Boult has just prospered. He troubles both, the left handers as well as the right handers. Against Sri Lanka, he even managed to trouble Kumar Sangakkara with ease. Boult’s inswingers to the right handers are simply lethal and literally unplayable. He will love bowling in England, and with the slope at Lord’s, expect a strong show from Boult.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS:
Light rain is forecasted for Friday but that shouldn’t be a spoiler. For the rest of the days, overcast weather is forecasted. The swing bowlers should simply love this forecast and the batsmen better be prepared for some tough times. The famous slope at Lord’s is known to give seamers an advantage, and it will be a no brainer for the likes of Southee and Anderson to exploit that.
PROBABLE XI:
ENGLAND:
1. A. Lyth 2. A. Cook 3. G. Ballance 4. I. Bell 5. J. Root 6. M. Ali 7. J. Buttler 8. B.Stokes 9. S. Broad 10. J. Anderson 11. M Wood
NEW ZEALAND:
1. T.Latham 2. M. Guptill 3. K. Williamson 4. R. Taylor 5. B. McCullum 6. BJ Watling 7. C. Anderson 8. M Craig 9. M Henry 10. T. Southee 11. T. Boult