England sealed a landmark whitewash victory over Pakistan on Tuesday morning, winning the third of three Tests by eight wickets.
That victory takes the side’s winning record since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes combined to nine from ten matches, making next summer’s Ashes series even more anticipated.
Here Sportsmail’s cricket experts discuss the importance of the England Test team to the world, whether Jonny Bairstow can return, and whether Rehan Ahmed should play in the 2023 Ashes series.
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have won nine of their 10 Tests as head coach and captain
England are the most exciting team in the world – are they also the most important?
Nasser Hussain: I’m not sure what effect England’s style will have on how other teams play. It is hard enough to change the culture of one side, let alone another.
But we can safely say that their change is remarkable. And they got people talking more about Test cricket — they were very important.
David Lloyd: I disagree, Nasser, because I think other teams will follow. They will need it!
England sealed a whitewash victory over Pakistan after sealing a third victory on Tuesday
Not just in the men’s game either — it could be a game changer for women’s cricket as well. It has a great following but it can start with this strategy. We want to engage young people — so the game has to be exciting.
Paul Newman: I’m with you, Bumble. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have made it their mission to save Test cricket with a completely new approach and everyone needs to get on board — even South Africa’s arch-pragmatists. England is the most important because they can inspire a new generation.
Lawrence Booth: Test cricket has always needed England, because they take the format as seriously as anyone. But they have now achieved something that very few Test teams have managed — they have created a buzz, and the fascination is seeing how opponents try to deal with it. That’s incredible for the game.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed took five for 48 runs on his Test debut in just 18 years and 128 days
Can Bazball work in Ashes and India?
Booth: People keep asking questions, and England keeps giving answers. No one has caught them yet, and there’s no reason it won’t work against Australia, who — don’t forget — haven’t won a Test series in England since 2001.
India is far from early 2024 will be the bigger review.
Lloyd: I can see teams keeping pace with England so that means it could work. Remember, Lawrence, Australia can say they started it all when Steve Waugh sent them on at four o’clock.
India are the fantastic test but they will also be forced to play this way. It changes the face of all cricket.
Ben Duckett has made an immediate impact since coming to the top of the order in Pakistan
Hussain: Well, it worked in Pakistan, and people weren’t sure it would! India will be a different challenge as their pitches turn.
But for me, Bumble, the biggest test will be against Australia’s four-seamers and Nathan Lyon. Having said all that, can we enjoy what they did in Pakistan?
Newman: I think we all agree on that. Why didn’t it work against Australia and India? It’s great to see more and more people getting on board with Bazball but there are still some cynics who keep saying ‘what if?’.
We just have to accept that the draw, like history, is now bunk.
How did Bairstow get in? Is Duckett here for the long haul?
Lloyd: That’s what Jonny Bairstow would think! But anywhere he can bat and he can take the gloves.
I don’t know what you guys felt but I didn’t see Duckett coming. Is he an opener? Someone saw it in him and he was very good at it. He holds, so he abides.
Jonny Bairstow starred for England during the summer Tests
Hussain: If Jonny is eligible, he has enough credit in the bank to come back. It may be harsh on Ben Foakes, but I never took the gloves off Bairstow in the first place.
For Duckett, New Zealand will be a big test. If he plays the moving ball well, then makes an early-season run in England, he deserves to start the Ashes.
Booth: I hate to say it, but Bairstow’s return is probably bad news for Foakes, who may have had a taste of things to come when England preferred Ollie Pope to keep wicket in Multan.
If not, who are they putting down? Not Duckett, who was England’s second best batsman in Pakistan behind Harry Brook.
Newman: As soon as Bairstow is fit he has to play. And, yes, if you even think Foakes is making a go of it, Bumble, then I reluctantly agree.
Word in the late summer was that Rob Key believed Duckett was perfect for this style — just not in Pakistan — so he stayed. But if he struggles in New Zealand, that could be Jonny’s route back.
Which spinner should England pick against New Zealand in February?
Jack Leach has taken more Test wickets than any bowler in 2022 so far
Newman: Jack Leach has taken more Test wickets than anyone in 2022 and was well handled by Stokes but he has probably hit his ceiling.
England were breaking all conventions and the bowling of Rehan Ahmed in Karachi was inspired. Why not continue?
Hussain: It’s not Paul, it should be Leach, who gives you the control you need in England. It was different in Pakistan — Ahmed showed it was useful for the second spinner to have some mystery.
If he continues to work on his hitting, he could challenge Leach. He has to play as much cricket as possible — red ball or white ball.
Booth: In New Zealand I would pick Ahmed, because the pitches will be flat and you need a bowler who can beat both sides of the bat.
In England, it’s more confusing. Leach understands his role, as he showed when he took 10 wickets against New Zealand at Headingley. But he needs to keep performing to keep Ahmed at arm’s length.
Lloyd: Let’s just make sure Ahmed doesn’t end up with a drink if he’s not playing? I think Leach is playing in New Zealand, but against Australia? If we get good weather, good pitch and good boundary, go for the leg-spinner.
Teenager Ahmed could push Leach for his place in the side if he can get his batting going
What’s your team for the first Ashes Test?
Lloyd: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Ahmed, Wood, Robinson, Anderson.
Jack Russell will kill me for not picking Foakes and I know I’ve discussed the virtues of a top-level keeper but Bairstow is a proper keeper too. And you have to let him in.
Booth: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Woakes, Robinson, Archer, Anderson.
The bowling attack is a headache especially if Jofra Archer is available again. And it was cruel to both Stuart Broad and Mark Wood. But England will rotate as the series progresses, and Leach will also play a role.
No batsman has more runs in 2022 than former captain Joe Root (1098) who leads Australia’s Usman Khamaja by 13
Hussain: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Robinson, Wood, Leach, Anderson.
It partly depends on what happens against New Zealand and Ireland, but I like the fact that the team has faith in the players. The wide may come in the next series, especially if David Warner opens.
Newman: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Ahmed, Wood, Robinson, Anderson.
I hate to leave out Foakes and Broad but that’s how deep England are right now. And, of course, if Archer is fit he needs to play sooner rather than later. What a difference from the beginning of this year! From zeroes to heroes with more to come… bring on the Aussies.
Jofra Archer could return to the side immediately once he returns from a long-term injury
