No matter how you cut it, it is a pattern.
There will no doubt be a suggestion that England will call what is perhaps understandably the 17th Test of a grueling year. That sounds like a lazy accusation and almost any professional would bristle at the insinuation that they don’t give their all every time they step on the field.
However, there is no denying that New Zealand has more to gain than England in Hamilton. The tourists’ job of winning the series has been accomplished and the Black Caps are desperate to avoid only a third 3-0 home defeat. Tim Southee’s latest test gives extra motivation.
At the highest level, that extra 1% can make a huge difference. If the series was still on the line, would England have missed the training session two days before this match? Probably not.
None of this is to provide England with an excuse. If, for example, we criticize them for not appearing anywhere in the World Test Championship, they cannot be given a pass for losing their spirits at the end of the series, whether the rubber is dead or not.
As discussed at the beginning of this tourEngland’s ethos may be their greatest strength and greatest weakness. A relaxed atmosphere can bring out the best in players, and not worrying about the little things can give you the freedom to find maximum performance. But overlooking the little things can result in carelessness – there’s that word again.
For better or worse, this is the dominant attitude in English cricket. McCullum is about to take over the cue ball team. The culture he and Stokes have created is being replicated within the Lions squad and across all age groups.
England’s surrender in two World Cups in the last year and a half was down to a lack of attention to detail. Women’s T20 World Cup setbacks included a lack of fielding practice at the Dubai Stadium under exceptional spotlights and days off spent at boat parties.
Stokes’ Test team will have the opportunity to build a legacy in the coming year with breakthrough victories over India and Australia. None of them will happen without due care and attention.
It’s fine if England wants to ban talk of ruthlessness, but it should never be careless.
