5 talking points from England's second Test defeat to South Africa

18 July 2017 11:21

1. ROOT ROCKED?

You could hardly blame England's new captain if he was a little taken aback by the level of criticism, from all sides and close quarters, after he followed a resounding victory in his first Test in charge with a woeful defeat in the second. "Appalling" . "abysmal" . "rubbish" and "shocker" are a selection of the words used as England's batsmen were found so badly wanting at Trent Bridge. The critics included friend and Sheffield Collegiate mentor Michael Vaughan, as well as England coach Trevor Bayliss - and on being informed of the former's remarks at his post-match press conference, Root was visibly shaken as he admitted disbelief. He has gone from "dreamworld" to nightmare in little more than a week. Welcome, Joe.

2. DON'T PANIC

Decidedly, this is not the time for England to over-react in selection or methods. Yes, some of their shots - and their failure to achieve a Test match tempo - appeared shambolically ill-advised at Trent Bridge. But the mitigation is obvious, in that they were up against very talented opposition who had a point of their own to prove. South Africa, under returning captain Faf du Plessis, are formidably well-drilled - with a pedigree bowling attack at least the equal of England's. They are second in the world rankings, comfortably above their hosts, and - after their false start at Lord's - were unwisely under-rated by many of the high-profile pundits who have slated England's performance.

3. MIXED MESSAGES?

It is easy to parody the instructions coming from Bayliss. He preaches positive intent, and appears a perfect fit at present for England's evolving limited-overs teams. His mantra for Test cricket is a little more nuanced than many are having us believe. He wants decisive movement from all his batsmen, but that does not necessarily mean he is constantly in their ear to smash length balls over cover. Many of those selected, on obvious merit based on special talent, are - very much of their time - instinctive strokemakers. One or two others are not, and Bayliss insists he is encouraging them to be positive in defence and attack - whichever works for them. The concern is, of course, whether his message is properly received and understood - or is instead clouding one or two minds.

4. ONE CHANGE LIKELY, TWO POSSIBLE

There will be a clamour over the next few days - before a squad announcement on Friday or Saturday - for all manner of selections and de-selections after the 340-run trouncing at Trent Bridge. Uncapped Mark Stoneman and Tom Westley are both being widely advocated, and each was mentioned in dispatches by Bayliss himself immediately after the second Test. Other left-field names have already cropped up too, inevitably. The likelihood, though - unless injury concerns translate to unavailability - is that all-rounder Liam Dawson will be left out to accommodate a specialist batsman. Stoneman is the most obvious new cap, becoming Alastair Cook's 12th new partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss, with Keaton Jennings dropping down a place and the rest of the established order fitting around Root at number four. If England are concerned about fragile fast bowler Mark Wood getting through a third Test in succession, they have Toby Roland-Jones already in situ and can add the fit-again Jake Ball. Chris Woakes is reportedly still not recovered from his side strain.

5. IT WON'T GET ANY EASIER

England are up against it - because South Africa are a very good team. For good measure, they will have Kagiso Rabada returning from his one-match ban at The Oval - and doubtless impatient to prove he is still their number one strike bowler. Vernon Philander is an expert exponent at the other end; the height and bounce of Morne Morkel a wonderful complement, and all-rounder Chris Morris proved in Nottingham that he can produce unplayable deliveries at express pace when on song. If South Africa have a weakness it is perhaps their batting, but even that looked in pretty good order in the midlands.

Source: PA