England v New Zealand, Second Test, Day Two
Featuring Jacob Bethell's new ball bowling and Morpheus off the long run
Jacob Bethell’s New Ball Bowling
Grade: B+
England began the second day with an extended fit of weirdly early short-pitched declaration bowling that promoted the possibility of New Zealand surging from their overnight score of 7/291 to something close to 400, via nothing more than a series of byes and top edges. How short were England bowling? Short enough to hit Kyle Jamieson in the head on more than one occasion. In its own way, an impressive feat, although they may have made more of an impression had they bowled at his feet.
More bizarrely, when England took the new ball, they handed it almost immediately to Jacob Bethell. This was enough to momentarily trick me that they hadn’t taken it at all, as Jofra Archer wandered aimlessly around in the field on the advice of a team physiotherapist. (Presumably, a Rajasthan Royals one.)
Was this a ploy from Joe Root to ensure he wouldn’t be asked to captain ever again? A sensible theory, yes, but I prefer to subscribe to the idea that this was Harry Brook secretly pulling the strings. A showcase of how his future Test captaincy, whenever it fully arrives, will be as deliriously, deliciously brainless as his batting. But without the corresponding success. Fingers crossed.
Morpheus Off The Long Run
All of England’s terribleness in the field allowed Glenn Phillips to bring up his first Test century. Great stuff. You bat in sunglasses whenever you like, Glenn.
