Dawid Malan admits England have no option but to up their game

David Cooper - Writer 00:35 29/03/2018
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  • While the entire cricketing world is focusing on reverse swing and ball-tampering, conventional new-ball swing has put England in danger of setting an unwanted record on their tour of New Zealand.

    After Trent Boult and Tim Southee bowled them out for just 58 in the first innings in Auckland, on the way to a resounding home victory, England must hit back in the second and final Test which starts on Friday to avoid series defeat.

    If they do not win in Christchurch, it will be for a 13th away Test in succession, dating back to October 2016, the worst sequence in their history.

    England batsman Dawid Malan knows the batsmen simply must up their game.

    Reflecting on their Eden Park collapse, he said: “It was disappointing, (and) a bit embarrassing. We just weren’t up to the task on the first day… it was really poor.

    “In the second innings we went out there and showed a lot of fight – and that’s the fight we need to be showing in every single innings we play here.”

    Malan does not believe this is the time for a technical overhaul, though.

    “Alastair Cook has scored 12,000 (Test) runs playing from the crease – and he’s not going to change it now really, is he, just because a couple of people have said he plays from the crease. “He’s got to stick to what works for him, what’s true to him, and everyone has to do exactly that.

    “(Then) if you get dropped, or the team loses, you have to look at the runs in the column – and say, ‘Did you score enough runs or not’?”

    Meanwhile, Moeen Ali may be the fall guy of England’s latest Test trouncing on their travels as coach Trevor Bayliss ponders selection changes in Christchurch. Moeen’s 50th Test, at Auckland’s Eden Park, brought no respite  from his or England’s troubles this winter.

    The off-spinning all-rounder mustered 28 runs in two innings, and no wickets in his 17 overs as New Zealand piled up 427 for eight declared in an innings-and-49-run victory. Bayliss, who will leave his role after next year’s home World Cup and Ashes rematch, insists the pressure of poor results is not weighing him down as yet.

    The Australian has conceded, however, there could be changes of playing personnel at Hagley Park on Friday when England bid for an overdue, series-squaring success in the second and final Test.

    “Anyone at this level who doesn’t perform gets spoken about – ‘do we make a change’?” he said. Asked specifically about Moeen’s travails, Bayliss added: “I’m sure he’s disappointed with the way he’s gone.

    “He had a fantastic summer, (but) this winter away I’m sure hasn’t gone how he would have liked. I’m sure that will be a discussion.”

    Alternatives include a debut for left-arm spinner Jack Leach or the return of England’s fastest bowler Mark Wood, if it is decided the seam contingent needs a shake-up.

    “They will certainly come into contention and will be spoken about,” Bayliss said of Leach and Wood.

    “Having lost so many games overseas, we’ve given a lot of guys an opportunity who haven’t really grabbed hold of it.

    “At some stage we have to look at who is next. That will certainly be discussed over the next couple of days.”

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