Ugly Home Truths Act As Warning

England Wake-up Call

- Dean Wilson

IT WAS something to behold as Joe Root and his England team managed to turn cricket’s greatest party atmosphere into a Sunday morning wake.

In just 52 minutes the second Test and the series were done and if Root had been quick he might even have had time to go and say a prayer in a nearby church before service was over.

The eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand, in chasing just 38, secured the tourists’ first series win in England since 1999, and consigned Root to his first home series loss as captain.

England are usually a very good Test team at home, and maybe that gave them the hubris to think they simply had to turn up and everything would be alright. At Edgbaston, with a nearly full house – they almost never lose in such a situation.