NEW captain, new coach. But the same old England.
The same basic flaws, the same fragility, the same inability to cope with even the first vestige of pressure.
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England sank against New Zealand under new captain Ben StokesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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England blew up their opponents before collapsing with the batCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
And as Ben Stokes and England walked into the field after talking about the pre-match talk, the too-familiar sinking of the bat caused a silence to replace the excited babbling at Lord’s.
A day that had started so well for Stokes and Brendon McCullum ended with an hour without a spine to return the first test to the scales.
Even skipper Stokes, who had set the tone since the start of the game as life after the start of the Joe Root captaincy era, couldn’t help but be part of the procession back to pavilion.
However, until that sudden and abrupt change of direction, Stokes’ new order had indicated at least a new approach to ending the recent atrophy.
From the draw, with the name of Graham Thorpe and the cap number 564 as a tribute to the former batsman of the middle order of England, to being placed on an additional cover instead of his usual position on the cordon, Stokes was at the center of matters.
Durham’s ace was the first to reach the corner kick, but his header was blocked by the keeper.
Of course, it helped that the old guard, in the form of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, and the newcomer Matt Potts, played with the precision, pace and threat they found in New Zealand horribly lacking. were dismissed by 132. before tea.
Stokes, who began his stint at the helm alongside McCullum, was responsible for the mindset, the attitude, the controlled aggression.
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It meant he could share the joy, first on stage to celebrate the debut of Potts dreams.
Where Root appeared as a moderate, climate-downed figure in the Caribbean, guessing himself and allowing the first two tests to advance too slowly, Stokes brought his philosophy of attack to work.
As ports fell, England issued six dropouts, indicating Stokes’ determination to take advantage of the initiative.
There was also no panic when Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme attempted a counterattack after lunch.
Stokes’ calm reaction helped, before catching himself the last door to 10 balls to replace Potts, victim of cramps.
However, the loss of six wickets by 25 in just nine overs, just as the Kiwis were there to be demoralized, was further proof of a deeper uneasiness than the mere style of England’s mood.
McCullum and Stokes may change their mindset, but cricket still requires technique and stubbornness.
This happens in months, not days. And it suggests that there may be many more changes needed to get there.