Posted by But life happens when you’re busy making other plans, and England’s one home Test victory this summer is their lowest total since 1999. The Ashes, rightly or incorrectly, is the centerpiece of English Test cricket. Success versus Australia leaves a legacy, while failure tarnishes a reputation.
England has told us that they plan to peak for their two major assignments at the end of the year for the entire year of 2021. Joe Root’s red-ball team will compete in the Ashes, while the white-ballers will compete in the T20 World Cup.
Eoin Morgan’s limited-overs set-up is in such rude health it can seamlessly deal with the losses of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer by calling on Liam Livingstone and Tymal Mills.
Eoin Morgan’s limited-overs setup is in such good shape that he can call on Liam Livingstone and Tymal Mills to cover for Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer’s absences.
The Test crew, on the other hand, is flying by the seat of its white pants.
While no one could have predicted all-rounder Stokes’ extended absence from the game, and while injuries to Archer and an entire battery of fast bowlers are terrible, time spent on a shabby batting line-up has not paid off, and judgments on spin bowling have been irrational.
Source: BBC Sport