ENG vs NZ | England lack a spark visually, opines Mark Ramprakash
Mark Ramprakash pointed out that the England team “lack a visual spark” because of the quiet and introverted players they have and hence fail to react to a tricky situation accordingly. The former England batting coach has also shared that Jofra Archer is being misused by Joe Root.
The English pacers were a complete no show on the day three of the first match against New Zealand as the hosts went on to pile 300 plus on the day, losing only two wickets in the course, to lead by 41 runs. Wicket-keeper BJ Watling has been the top scorer for the Kiwis with his 119 off 298 balls while skipper Kane Williamson and Colin de Grandhomme ably supported him with gritty half-centuries.
The England team were sloppy in the field as England’s first-innings hero Ben Stokes returned a favour when he dropped Watling while he was on 31. But that wasn’t the only occasion as the visitors dropped another opportunity as the day’s play was peppered with mid-fields. Debutant Dominic Sibley’s spectacular catch to dismiss Grandhomme was the only bright spot in England’s fielding effort.
Former England batting coach Mark Ramprakash has opined that the English team lacks the visual spark required to pull the team out of such tricky situations. Ramprakash opined that the quiet, introverted players aren’t able to stir up anything inspirational on the field.
"It was a flat day, you can't get away from that. It has been an area England have struggled with for a number of years because of the number of introverted, quiet personalities they have - sometimes they lack a spark visually. The pitch was benign but somehow you need several people to create a bit of spark,” Ramprakash told BBC.
"We know the natural psyche of this team is if they are behind and concede a lead the batters don't react well to that because their natural game is to attack. It will be a big test for them."
Ramprakash, who played 52 Test matches for England, opined that skipper Joe Root is misusing the talent of young speedster Jofra Archer. Archer, who came off a brilliant Ashes performance bagging 22 wickets, has been wicketless in this Test so far having bowled 30 overs. The former coach pointed out bowling five short balls in an over isn’t Archer’s strength.
“He is a better bowler than the role he is being asked to do. I don't agree with the way Jofra Archer is being asked to bowl. He has not been picked because he bowls five bouncers an over, that was not why he was selected for England. Joe Root has a new toy and there has to be communication and some understanding of how to get the best out of him. I don't mind the odd spell of short-pitched bowling but England overdid that," Ramprakash added.
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