England v New Zealand Player Ratings
Alistair Cook- 8/10 It’s great to see Cook finally get into some form just at the right time before an Ashes series. The pressure was on for him to perform and score some big runs, he over took Graham Gooch as the leading run scorer in test cricket for England which would has been a magnificent achievement for someone so young. Still some people question his leadership and is he the right man to captain the side?
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Adam Lyth- 5/10 Apart from his debut hundred at his home ground Headingley before he was ran out for 107, Lyth has got out cheaply during his 3 other innings. It looks like they will stay with him to open the batting with Cook during the Ashes. Will he cope with the Aussie attack?
Ian Bell- 2/10 Same as Ballance, Bell looks out of sorts. He couldn’t buy a run against New Zealand and struggled in the West Indies; there is no doubt that Bell is a wonderful batsman when he is on song and full of confidence but at the minute he is neither and a walking wicket. Has Bell lost his hunger?
Joe Root- 6/10 A great test match at Lords where he just missed out on a hundred (98 and 84) but people might say once you have got in the great batsman punish the opposition with a big score. He struggled at his home ground Headingley which is why we have given him 5/10.
Jos Butler 4/10 2 scores over 50 but seemed to struggled with the gloves as most keepers seem to do at Lords. When he is in he needs to turn 60s/70s into hundreds and capitalise on a good start.
Mooen Ali 3/10 I don’t understand with his role is within the England team and I don’t think he understands if he is a batsman/bowler or all-rounder. It seemed he was in for his bowling but doesn’t look like a top class spinner. The boots of Swann were always going to be hard to fill but I would have given Rashid a go.
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Stuart Broad 5/10 He got wickets but was very expensive. He looked scared going into bat and will be getting more short balls against the Aussies so needs to grit his teeth and dig in when batting.
Mark Wood 6/10 I like the look of Wood, he plays the game with a smile on his face and looks like his is loving every minute of playing test cricket. He bowled well and showed that he can be responsible with the new ball. It does look like he puts a lot of effort in when bowling so hopefully long term he won’t mess up his body.
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James Anderson 5/10 Bowled well for little reward, may only concern is what happens if Jimmy gets injured? He joined the elite list of bowlers with 400 wickets but I think England are to dependable on him.