Stuart Broad says the second Test is becoming England interim captain Joe Root’s “worst nightmare” with New Zealand in a dominant position against an inexperienced home side.
The Black Caps closed day three at a sun-kissed Kia Oval on 252-3 in their second innings – thanks chiefly to Henry Nicholls’ 119 not out – and lead England by 353 runs.
Root, standing in as skipper after Ben Stokes was omitted following the nightclub incident, has the most Test wickets in the XI, bagging 73 with his part-time spin – a stat that emphasises the greenness of the bowling attack at his disposal.
Interim England captain Joe Root’s side are up against it to avoid defeat in the second Test
Sonny Baker is making his debut, Matt Fisher is playing just his second Test, and first in four years, while Josh Tongue is in his 11th, leaving Jofra Archer the most experienced of the pace quartet as he features in his 19th Test.
There is a lack of experience across the board, though, with wicketkeeper James Rew and batter Jordan Cox also debuting and opener Emilio Gay just two Tests into his career, making Stokes’ absence even more keenly felt.
Broad told the Sky Sports Cricket Vodcast, with New Zealand in a great position form which to level the series at 1-1 and set up a decider at Trent Bridge from June 25: “It has almost been Root’s worst nightmare.
Ben Stokes is playing for Durham this week after England left him out following the nightclub incident
“He has an inexperienced bowling group, a flat pitch, the sun is out, England are behind in the game and tactically he has no one, particularly, to lean on.
“How many times would Fisher have bowled with the wicketkeeper up and a ring field? Not many. You wouldn’t need to in county cricket.
“They have looked starved of tactical ideas. It’s not just up to the captain to decide what to do but the lack of experience in the England side has been overshadowed by a bit of game nous from New Zealand.”
New Zealand’s Matt Henry took five wickets as the Kiwis dismissed England for 291 in their first innings
‘New Zealand figured out what length to bowl’
There was a lack of ‘game nous’ from England on the second morning when a bouncer barrage to Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson failed and the Kiwis piled on 100 runs in 19.2 overs to move from their overnight 291-7 to 391 all out in their first innings.
The tourists then dismissed England for 291, with seamer Matt Henry registering figures of 5-80.
Broad continued: “That was just awful from England. They bowled with very unusual plans. Archer waited an hour to bowl, missed the second new ball, and almost came on when the game was already too far ahead of England.
“For New Zealand, Henry has controlled length really well. I wouldn’t suggest he was fantastic all the time but his five-for was well deserved and New Zealand figured out what length to bowl on the surface when the ball was doing something.”
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Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain were critical of England’s bowling plans on the second morning at The Oval as New Zealand were able to reach 391 all out
The difficulty England have balancing their side when all-rounder Stokes is not available has been apparent this week, with no frontline spinner selected.
Shoaib Bashir, who did not bowl a ball in the seam-dominated first Test at Lord’s that England won by 115 runs, was left out and the hosts also overlooked leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, meaning Root and Jacob Bethell have been the spin options.
Left-armer Bethell bagged three wickets in New Zealand’s first innings, while he then broke a 161-run partnership between Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra for the third wicket second time around.
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Jacob Bethell pinned Rachin Ravindra lbw on Friday to take his tally of wickets in the second Test to four
Broad added: “Bethell has taken four wickets in the Test and we have just finished day three. Spinners generally come into their own days four and five.
“I am not saying this pitch is going to really spin but it is dry in spots and will only get drier so balls will spit up.
“In hindsight, Rehan would have been a decent option, particularly against the tail. Tailenders don’t tend to play leg-spin that well and he tends to hit the stumps a lot.”
Watch day four of the second Test between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am on Saturday (11am first ball). Stream with NOW.
England vs New Zealand results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
