I hear what you say and partly agree but with the exception of Bairstow the rest of our batters have been playing county cricket earlier in the season and I think that they have all scored at least one century.

Perhaps they are just not up to it against international bowlers

EDIT - except Rooty

Edited by Midlands Eagle (04 Jun 2022 3.31pm)

Root calm at one end on 23 but what must he think of nutter Stokes?

Rushing the bowler with 4 wickets down then bowled and reprieved by a no-ball.

Somehow he has scraped to 14 and there is no batting to come.

The ball will get softer and the NZ have shown you can prosper, but try telling Captain Stokes and Bairstow that.

They don't need coaching, they need psychiatry.

Root and Stokes seem to be the only reasonably reliable batsman in the line up.

Fingers crossed that Root can bring off what looked like a highly unlikely victory.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Excellent victory for England. Well done lads

I disengage, I turn the page.

It was his first 4th innings Century and it made Root pass 10,000 runs, so it will be memorable.

Problems throughout the side laid bare again, however.

Broad wasn't great. Anderson was good with the new ball swinging but then very quiet. Potts was the pick of the bowlers on debut. Parkinson not good enough.
Openers, again, not good enough. Both look dodgy. Middle order - went missing as usual, all look like one day players - except for Root. Stokes wouldn't bowl himself much - he's been injured, fair enough.
Too long a tail when you take into account the bowlers not really being great. Right keeper? Not sure either.

Red and Blue Army!

Pope, Butler, Bairstow? Wonder if Stewart will come out of retirement and show them how to bat and keep wicket.