Stability returns to England squad as they head to NZ

Following a period of relative instability, the England selectors reverted to form in making few changes to the side that toured India ahead of the forthcoming three-match Test series in New Zealand.  

Nineteen players were called up to India at one point or another, and that group has been culled back to the normal fifteen. Stuart Meaker and James Tredwell, brought out as cover, miss out whilst Eoin Morgan, who also didn’t play is dropped. Samit Patel, who is yet to play a Test outside of Asia, has also been excluded. None of these should be viewed as surprise moves. In a slightly less anticipated move Tim Bresnan was omitted, with Chris Woakes, who has been playing first-class cricket in New Zealand, called up. Although Bresnan’s place ought to have been in doubt anyway, following an average year since returning from elbow surgery, the selectors insist that the reason for his absence is to allow further assessment of the elbow.

From the XI that played in Nagpur, nine can expect to start at Dunedin. All being well the returning Steven Finn and Stuart Broad are likely to replace Bresnan and the unlucky Monty Panesar. Some would question Broad’s return after a poor show in recent Tests, but it was only 12 months ago that he starred in the toughest of conditions against Pakistan, and this series should be a perfect opportunity to rediscover his rhythm – if he can make himself fit. Graham Onions will again be unfortunate to be on the sidelines and if injuries occur will likely be the man to step up in conditions more likely to suit him than in India.

There may also be some debate over the opening position vacated by Andrew Strauss at the end of last summer. Nick Compton’s contributions were critical in setting a platform for the middle-order before Christmas, but Michael Vaughan believes that Joe Root should be promoted. That move would, however, be extremely harsh on Compton who should get the chance to prove that he’s more than just a blocker. Meanwhile, Root seems to be relishing his role in the England middle-order – a role which he might just be able to nail down better than Morgan or Jonny Bairstow have.

The adjustments to the one-day squad, curiously named some time back but now seemingly ripped up and selected again, are perhaps more significant.

The decision to axe Craig Kieswetter is likely to mark the end of the wicket-keeper’s international career: although he is still just 25, there are a number of younger batsman who ‘keep just as well as him. Whilst he has had his moments, this England side don’t like mediocrity and that is what has ultimately cost him. His immediate successor at number six will be either Bairstow or Kieswetter’s Somerset team-mate Jos Buttler. Although Bairstow has more ‘keeping experience in the professional game, Buttler has looked perfectly adept when given the gloves thus far. A shoot-out in the warm-up games and T20s may eventually dictate who takes up what is something of a poisoned chalice.

In another change Jade Dernbach will not be going to New Zealand. The Surrey paceman has struggled with control so far in his international career, and probably needs to spend some time with his county. James Harris and Chris Woakes have been called up, despite the fact that neither of them generally excel with the white ball.  However, as swing bowlers they might enjoy New Zealand, and can be no worse than Dernbach, who is the most expensive ODI bowler of all time.

In both formats of the game England will be big favourites. England’s ODI XI will be stronger than that South Africa fielded against New Zealand, and conditions will suit England’s gameplan more than they did in India. Meanwhile, there is a clear gap in quality in the long form of the game, where New Zealand lack depth, quality and confidence.

England's fast bowling stocks a cause for concern

Just a few months ago pundits appeared evenly divided over whether England or South Africa had the best seam bowling attack in world cricket. Whilst most would have argued that South Africa’s first choice combination of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander edged out England’s unit it was a close run thing, and England’s depth was often highlighted as a point in their favour. But in spite of the Test series win in India, and an excellent one-day international record over the last twelve months, England now have cause for concern about both the quality and depth of their fast bowling stocks.

There is no concern about the leader of England’s attack. Steyn can rightly call himself the leading quick-man in the world but any opposition batsman will tell you that James Anderson is not far behind. His average and strike rate aren’t as good as Steyn’s, but at the back end of the Indian tour he re-confirmed to any that doubted that he’s a man for all conditions. The other man now a sure-fire starter is Steve Finn. In the last twelve months or so he’s started to produce the performances to justify the faith of his many supporters. He remains inconsistent at Test level, but his hostility now guarantees him a place in the starting line-up.

Ahead of the match-up with South Africa last summer there would also have been no dispute about Stuart Broad’s place. He was the pick of England’s successful seamers against India at home and Pakistan away, and very good against Sri Lanka and West Indies. With good reason most observers thought he had finally cracked it at Test level. But then something went wrong. He lost his pace and rhythm against Amla et al., and didn’t rediscover it until being ruled out in India with a heel injury. So drastic has been his change of fortunes that many would no longer pick him in their first choice XIs. With rumours circulating that he might be a doubt for the New Zealand trip it is now far from certain that he will share the new ball when the Ashes get underway in July.

The third member of England’s seam bowling unit in the drubbings of Australia and India in 2010 and 2011 was Tim Bresnan. Although Bresnan has never been viewed as a destroyer, he was a key member of that side. As well as building up exceptional personal figures he became the team’s lucky charm and contributed with the bat. But right now even the staunchest Bresnanite finds it difficult to justify selecting him. Since elbow surgery last winter he’s been a shadow of his former self. Whilst sporadic glimpses of form suggest he’s worth persisting with in limited-overs, he surely can’t go to New Zealand with the Test side. The case for his selection has quite simply disappeared. On recent evidence he no longer offers control, penetration, runs - or good luck.

Another fast bowler who had success but would now appear to have fallen away is Chris Tremlett. After an injury-ridden period following his successful debut Test series in 2007, he came from left-field to hurt the Australians in 2010-11. He was then also named Man of the Series after bowling Sri Lanka out in a session to throw the decisive punch of a rain-affected series which followed. However, injury has returned and he would appear to have slipped off the radar for immediate selection. Tremlett hardly played at all in 2012, and whilst England are keen to keep him around the set-up, as an injury-prone 31 year-old the chances of him playing a part in England’s future are slim.

It is worth briefly considering Graham Onions. The leading wicket-taker in Championship cricket last year, he did well in the Test Match he played against West Indies at Edgbaston. But England would appear to see him as a horses-for-courses bowler. It is feared that his style of bowling is too easy to hit on flat pitches in Asia, and in one-day cricket. Hence, although it would be no surprise to see him feature at some point in the Ashes, he’ll do little to solve the current issues with the one-day side.

Indeed, it is the limited-overs teams that would appear to have the biggest problem. Given England’s schedule, Anderson, Broad and Finn are rightly wrapped in cotton wool. But the supposed depth has disappeared, and those that have come in would not really appear to be up to it.

A big concern must be Jade Dernbach. He has become a figure of ridicule lately (and not just for his horrible tattoos), but he undoubtedly has a rare skill in the way he utilises slower balls at the back end of an innings. It doesn’t always come off, but nor do Malinga’s yorkers. Nevertheless, you can’t pick somebody who doesn’t bat well in a 50-over team purely for death bowling, and for the most part he is a liability. His ‘normal’ delivery is not particularly penetrative, and often bowled inaccurately. Even Surrey fans tend to be a little surprised to see his name on England teamsheets. He may have a role for England in the future, but right now he needs to go back to his county and spend a year or two learning more about his bowling in a less pressurised environment.

Dernbach’s Surrey teammate, Stuart Meaker, has only marginally more control. His core asset is to bowl at 90 mph, which could be useful in Tests, particularly away from home. But the feeling is that in the short forms, where he has played his international cricket, he can be just a bit too predictable. For that reason he hasn’t always featured in Surrey one-day teams, and doesn’t really fill an England supporter with confidence.

Another young talent who’s been on the radar for a while is Chris Woakes. Warwickshire fans will tell you that he’s a fine all-rounder. But his international efforts so far don’t make good reading. Since taking six expensive wickets in Adelaide two years ago, he’s taken just two more in ODIs at a disappointing economy rate. He undoubtedly has talent with the bat and as a new ball bowler in English conditions. But, like Onions and Meaker, may find that limited-overs cricket is not his forte.

In sum, England continue to have strength in numbers in the seam department. But of late many of them have struggled to progress. In terms of depth, England are probably now third in this department behind Australia and South Africa. To retain hopes of an imminent return to the top of the Test and ODI ladders progress will need to made, with it unlikely that Anderson, Finn and an in-form Broad could play all ten upcoming Test against Australia. Getting Broad fit and firing will be key. But others also needs to put their hands up, particularly in one-day cricket where the young bowlers struggle for control