As England slid towards defeat against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday, only Ben Stokes could feel any pride in his personal performance. The batting mentality of his teammates, let alone the execution of some of their game plans was ordinary, at best.
The defeat on a ‘sticky’ pitch has harmed their chances of qualification for the semi-finals, but the bigger concern is that the defeat had echoes of the team’s semi-final defeat against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy in Cardiff two summers ago.
Was Friday just ‘a bad day at the office’? or is there a deeper problem which hasn’t been properly addressed since the Cardiff debacle?
Despite Eoin Morgan’s masterful media conferences which reveal his clear thinking, his commitment to the team culture he has helped co-create, and also highlights his impressive ability to deflect blame. He protects his team well. He says they are ‘open to learning’ and are ‘working hard’. Admirable stuff – but is he really confident (in private) about this aspect of ‘reflection into purposeful action’ from his team?
I fear that England without Jason Roy/Alex Hales at the top of the order, England is losing the vital ingredient of dominance. James Vince may come good, should Jason Roy not recover from his torn hamstring injury, but I think the omission of Hales from the squad has created a problem for England with the bat. If only Alex Hales had been ‘pulled in’ for his poor behaviour’ earlier, or if he had decided to behave like a mature professional throughout his career, then England’s prospects would be stronger in my opinion. He is a dangerous player, make no mistake about that.
England’s match versus Australia at Lord’s is a much bigger match now, after Headingley. If England lose, the team’s confidence will take a hit. How big a hit, will be revealed in their subsequent matches against India and New Zealand.
The Aussies seem likely to make the semi-finals irrespective of the result at Lord’s – something which may relieve some pressure for them. They are starting to look like the team that gets better with each match. It could develop into the narrative surrounding German Football teams who always seemed to be written off pre-tournament as ‘the worst German team ever’, only to win the FIFA World Cup several weeks later!
David Warner and Steve Smith are looking in good form. Might they be able to inspire their ‘new’ teammates to possible World Cup glory.
Australia versus England at Lord’s on Tuesday looks like being ‘a cracker’ of a match. I hope to be there, and witness England put their defeat by Sri Lanka behind them as a hiccough, and progress into the semi-finals with all-important momentum.
For this to happen, my sense is that Mark Wood and Jofra Archer will need to maintain their excellent form with the new ball, and Jonny Bairstow must return to his best. Joe Root is looking in very good touch, and Jos Buttler is a ‘match-winner’ in ODI Cricket. Ben Stokes appears increasingly mature as an all-round cricketer, and could be the difference between the teams at Lord’s.
In my opinion, Australia lacks an all-rounder of Stokes’ class. In the past, Shane Watson and Steve Waugh were key players in their World Cup-winning teams, but Mitchell Marsh hasn’t ‘trained on’ as I, and many others predicted.
Maybe spin will be the difference? Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali versus Nathan Lyon. Who will be superior? Team selection on the day may be key too. Will Jason Roy be fit enough to play. Will Usman Khawaja get ‘the nod’ for Australia? Will Liam Plunkett return to England’s team at the expense of a spinner? So much at stake, and I am now thinking that we could be watching a possible dress rehearsal for the World Cup Final on 14th July.
Will Virat Kohli’s India or the quiet Kiwis slip into the Final instead? Or maybe Sri Lanka will be so inspired by their win on Friday against England that they will be a surprise guest at the semi-final party?
It’s all up for grabs as this week’s matches begin – let’s hope for England’s sake they have done the learning that Captain Morgan has advocated, or alternatively, I trust the new groundsman at Lord’s won’t prepare a ‘sticky surface’ that restricts England’s powerful stroke-makers and prevents them from getting into full-flow.
What a tournament it has become! Come on England- raise your game lads!!
Neil Burns