2nd Test - England v New Zealand (May 29 - June 2)

[Dr Cricket]

plus he captained Notts.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cook hadn't, save the tour to Bangladesh.

Vaughan hadn't. Probably no one ever will again.

[Arthur Crabtree]

People often mention Graeme Smith when talking about Root being captain, as if it means anything, and as if they were both examples of the merits in trusting younger players. Root is 25 this year. He's approaching his sporting prime. It's being suggested he captain a sporting team. That's all. Maybe he'll be rubbish, but it won't be because he is (approaching) 25.

Wasn't Smith 21?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just turned 22 for his first game in charge.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Has Root ever captained any side before (apart from the odd match)?

It's a shame Taylor isn't in the Test team because he's had quite a bit of captaincy experience with the Lions.

Root and Taylor both look about 12 but Taylor seems to have a more mature personality while Root acts the fool quite a lot.

But who's to say that as captain he wouldn't cut out the jolly japes and knuckle down into a very competent leader.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Just turned 22 for his first game in charge.

I always thought that even early on he looked and acted well ahead of his years.

[Aidan11]

No one ever mentions Nick Compton anymore.

[Arthur Crabtree]

You just went and ruined it Aidan.

[Aidan11]

Yeah. I'm rebellious like that.

[Alviro Patterson]

New Zealand have a fraction of the resources available that England do yet they play with a passion and belief that England can't hope to master.

All stems from society and available facilities at grassroots level. For example, one suburb in Wellington has a large field with six cricket pitches, each containing an artifical wicket. Where can you find that in England?

[Gingerfinch]

New Zealand have a fraction of the resources available that England do yet they play with a passion and belief that England can't hope to master.

All stems from society and available facilities at grassroots level. For example, one suburb in Wellington has a large field with six cricket pitches, each containing an artifical wicket. Where can you find that in England?

I'm not convinced it's down to that. We have some good players in the county system, but some seem to freeze when they pull on the England sweater.

[Making_Splinters]

New Zealand have a fraction of the resources available that England do yet they play with a passion and belief that England can't hope to master.

All stems from society and available facilities at grassroots level. For example, one suburb in Wellington has a large field with six cricket pitches, each containing an artifical wicket. Where can you find that in England?

I'm not convinced it's down to that. We have some good players in the county system, but some seem to freeze when they pull on the England sweater.

A defencive captain who doesn't know how to attack will do that to you. Look what happened to Hales, one of the most exciting players could barely get it off the square when he came into the ODI side to partner Cook. Combine that with a pick and drop culture over the last few years and you end up with a side who are afraid to say boo to a goose.