Liam in pink but it’s another batting flop
ENGLAND insisted last night they were treating this opening warm-up match against a New Zealand XI as seriously as any Test – a worrying admission given such an embarrassing batting display.
Six days out from the start of the series in Auckland, Joe Root’s men served up a gruesome performance in which they lost 14 wickets in a single day.
England literally could not lose the two-day pink-ball tour match given that both teams arranged beforehand they would bat for a full day each regardless of the number of wickets lost.
New Zealand’s second string will undoubtedly count this as a moral victory as England ended the match on 317-14 in reply to their opponents’ 376 on day one.
Liam Livingstone, who hit 88 in his first innings on a senior England tour, and captain Root, who posted an unbeaten 50 at t h e
second time of asking after being dismissed for one in his first knock, were the only batsmen to make significant scores.
But there were double failures for opener Mark Stoneman, who made three across two innings, and James Vince, England’s unconvincing No 3 posting scores of 14 and 31.
Both batsmen are under pressure after tough Ashes tours and badly needed runs to gain confidence ahead of next week’s day-night Test against New Zealand at Eden Park. Indeed, this two-match series will potentially make or break their respective Test careers. Yet they were not alone as Alastair Cook, who made 30 and 14, Dawid Malan, and Jonny Bairstow all failed as well.
Livingstone, 24, whose international experience is limited to the two T20s he played for England against South Africa last summer, is unlikely to play in Auckland next week. But he showed up his more experienced teammates during a composed 113-ball innings.
England batting coach Graham Thorpe said: “The first two sessions were indifferent for us but it was about getting the guys up to speed and making them aware they’ve got a Test next week. It’s the challenge of a short Test tour.
“A few of them will be disappointed they didn’t spend longer at the crease. But Liam played very well. He’s not in the potential starting XI but he’s shown what he’s capable of. His innings is also a kick up the backside for the other players.”
Livingstone put an even worse slant on proceedings, albeit unintentionally, when he admitted afterwards: “Because this is quite a short series, we were taking this as the first Test match and playing it as though it was a Test – use your game plans as though you were playing in that first Test of a three-game series.”
England’s game plans might need some significant tweaks if they are to avoid following up their 4-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia earlier this winter with another defeat here.
Livingstone, the only change from England’s Ashes squad for this tour, at least showed real promise and says he would not be overawed if called upon in this series.
“Yes, I would feel ready,” he said. “It’s everyone’s dream to play Test cricket and it may not happen this trip, but it’s been great fun getting in and around the lads in this environment.
“It’s my job to come out here, score as many runs as I can if I get another chance like I did here.
“I’ve come here with open ears and open eyes and am trying to learn as much as I can. It’s a great experience for me whether I play or not.
“I was pretty nervous coming on a first England Test tour but I settled in very quickly and felt really good going out to bat.”