England defeated New Zealand 2-0 yesterday in a two-Test series. But they did not only defeat them, they annihilated the helpless Kiwis.
They smothered them to smithereens.
Not even the rain on days one and five and defensive tactics by England’s captain Alastair Cook on day four in the second Test provide the tourists an escape clause.
New Zealand’s quickies Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner bowled well, restricting the home team to reasonable scores. But their batting collapsed every time to deadly spells by speedsters Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Jimmy Anderson, and by off-spinner Graeme Swann.
New Zealand started off well dismissing England for 232 and 213 in the first Test at Lord’s, with Southee excelling with10 wickets in the match, 4-58 and 6-50.
But their batsmen were frozen by the English pace trio to be routed for 207 and 68. At one stage they were seven for 41 in the second innings.
It was a technical knock-out as man of the match Broad captured 7-44.
This must have produced chill to Australian batsmen as they await facing the terrific trio of Broad, Anderson and Finn in July-August.
In the second and final Test at Headingley, Leeds, it was the off-spinner Swann who was the Kiwi’s nemesis as he took 10 wickets in the match (4-42 and 6-90) as England won by 247 runs.
Swann’s 10 for 132 is the best return by a spinner at Headingley since England’s Derek Underwood terrorised Australia on a turning tract in 1972. Swann was the man of the match in the Headingly Test.
England’s Player of the Series was young Joe Root for his 71 in the first Test and 104 in the second.
NZ’s Player of the Series was Tim Southee who bowled consistently and with fire.
England’s skipper Cook scored a dogged century at Headingley but was criticised for not enforcing the follow-on, for not forcing pace and declaring an hour too late on day four.
But his decision was justified as England won both the Tests and the series comfortably.
As the triumphant captain Cook said at the presentation ceremony last night, “We put in a really good performance here and one to 11 everyone put their hand up. It was great for Rooty to get a hundred, it swung all day on the first day.”
“Swanny to get 10 wickets was a great effort too. It’s good momentum for the Ashes and gives us confidence for that series.
“If you’re picking up one percenters we could have batted quicker on Sunday evening but we set out to get a 470 lead and we did that. I was a little nervous this morning but luckily we got the time we needed.”
Apart from their opener Nick Compton, every player from England performed well. And they won comfortably despite the absence of their star batsman Kevin Pietersen.
England is now fine-tuned to take on Australia to retain the Ashes.
Be afraid, Australia; be very afraid.
nickyc
Guest
Cos on the only two occasions the ball turned in those two series - The Oval in 2009 & Adelaide in 2010/11 - he bowled England to victory. In the series against NZ the pitches turned at both Lord's and Headingley even though it was only May. Think what the conditions are likely to be later in the summer with help for both spin and reverse swing.
MervUK
Guest
Tommy your question about swann is a bit naive. If I looked up Michael clarke's average from the last two ashes series, would they impress much? Probably not, would that be a reflection on whether he'll be a threat in this ashes series...of course not. Swann bowls in a four man attack, so there is no room for passengers, on wickets with no assistance as in aus he played a defensive role, allowing the seamers to rotate from the other end. In India and abu dhabi on turning wickets his figures were exceptional. I can't get the numbers as cricinfo is down, but in 2010 I remember swann coming on when Huss was well set and on his way to three figures and playing with ease, and got him out leg before. If a spin bowler can come on playing on a wicket with no assistance, on day 1 and 2, and get the oppositions best player out when they are well set, clearly they're a threat. I guarantee the aus batsmen will be brainstorming on a way to play swann, and will be troubled by him. Again averages are useful, but should not be taken as gospel and a replacement for actually watching the game itself....
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Yes Ronan. The Ashes and Test matches are the key for England. ODI results won't affect their confidence much. In 2009 and 2010/11 the Ashes were won and then England relaxed and lost the ODI series.
Tom Callaghan
Guest
I notice posters saying the Aussies 'will grow extra legs'. Won't that just increase Swann's chances of getting LBW decisions?
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Yes Kersi-especially as the England team that lost yesterday was not England's first choice ODI team and when one remembers that England won the ODI series in New Zealand and thumped Australia 4-0- with one game being rained off-in the 2012 summer of glorious British sporting success.
Blaze
Guest
Lol more than likely, mind you, whenever I grow another leg, I tend to step up my batting.....
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I think the Champions Trophy could affect the Ashes from an Aussie perspective，despite it being a different format。 Should Australia knock off England in their opening match and go on to win the Champions Trophy it would give them desperately needed confidence and momentum heading into the Tests、Conversely， if they bomb out against Eng and across the tournament it will allow further mental demons to creep in。I think England are stable enough and confident enough that whatever their results at the tournament they won't be affected much。
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Hi Ronan, Thanks for your candid comment. England's bowlers won the series. With New Zealand beating England in the first ODI, I should title my next story: "Be hopeful Australia, but not very hopeful as ODIs are different from Ashes Tests".
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Nice article Kersi but have to take umbrage with this claim： “Apart from their opener Nick Compton, every player from England performed well.” Bell averaged 18。 Prior was off the boil with the gloves and averaged 14 with the bat。
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
I attended the Australian Cricket Society (NSW branch) meeting in Sydney last night. The chief guest, former Australian fast bowler Dave Renneberg, opined that Australian batsmen these days go for their shots before their eye is in. Both he and Brian Taber agreed that the Australian team is over-coached. It was good to meet Bayman there, all the way from Adelaide to hear Renneberg's talk.
Tom Callaghan
Guest
But Aaron mate! Your bowlers simply aren't as accurate as the Kiwis and can't swing the ball as much. Look your blokes will have the ball coming on to the bat in the way that England's bowlers like. Your left arm bowlers will create footmarks for Swanny to exploit too.
Bearfax
Guest
Montero I am old enough to remember such forecasts of doom during the start of the pyjama game in the 70s. That's 40 years ago and test cricket has in fact become more watched and supported. If you think T20s will make a difference, I would suggest you read what was written about of the then 60 over a side game back in the 70s and the foreseen demise of test cricket. Test cricket may change slightly in structure over the years but it will survive into the next century, especially given that so many new countries are looking for inclusion amongst the top group of teams.
tommy
Guest
I don't understand the big deal about Swann. He has played 2 Ashes series & in the first took 14 wickets at 40.5 & in the second, took 15 wickets at 39.8. They are not really stats to send shivers down your spine.
Dianne Andrews
Guest
hehe Good one Matt
Montero
Roar Rookie
I'm not pessimistic, I'm just not in denial like most. Test cricket is in decline The ashes is in decline Cricket in general is in decline in oz. That's just the way it is.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Montero, I think you are very pessimistic. Test cricket will survive, especially the Ashes, for a long time.
Montero
Roar Rookie
I said it was dying, not dead quite yet. Selling out pommy grounds is hardly a big deal since their so small. I'll rephrase what I said, The ashes are going okay, but the rest of test cricket is dying and the Ashes will go the same way as the rest of test cricket pretty soon too. All these upcoming ashes series grouped up together and since they'll all be one sided affairs isn't going to help either. The ashes will be no more in a few generations.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
As Australians are the underdogs, they have nothing to lose. Who knows they may surprise the Brits? Come on David, slay the Goliaths!
matt h
Guest
I don't think Australia need to be very afraid because very few people think they can actually win. Therefore anything better than a whitewash loss will be a positive. Each player should be going in thinking they have absolutely nothing to lose. Everyone in England already thinks they are garbage.
matt h
Guest
And the results of the last 4 tests played by England and Australia vs. South Africa? And the results of the last tests played by England and Australia vs. Sri Lanka? And the results of the last tests played by England and Australia vs. Pakistan? Good cherry picking of results there mate.