Image Credit- AP
Failure is an orphan, but Harry Brook and Phil Salt
deserve the credit for success, as they gave England a thrilling and much
needed victory with an innings-long comeback from Salt and a Tarantino-level
cameo from Brook.
This was what England needed. Yes, the notion is that,
as a new squad, they have as much learning to do as winning. If you are an
international athlete with a career and dream on the line, you may be
considering skipping the WhatsApp call for next week if your local five-a-side
team loses five out of six games.
The public word sent was that the group of great
friends remained united and that morale was still strong. In private, though,
it was more like a bunch of terrific friends sticking together despite the
heat.
After Salt hit a six over long off and then took a
single to deep midwicket, the match was all but over, with England requiring 29
from nine balls. With Brook on 6 off 1, the equation was 22 off 7. Brook was
given the reins at that point.
After five balls, Brook blasted two balls over the
rope and one out of the stadium, giving England the victory. Salt charged at
Brook, leaping twice, as the final ball of the match soared past deep third for
six. Brook raised his arms in triumph. A first wave of feeling that was just
insufficient to convey the happiness of the occasion. Two boys, in the middle,
winning an England cricket match.
This is a stand-alone sporting accomplishment that
merits celebration. Fans of the game should be able to enjoy this breathtaking
exhibition of batting without getting bogged down in the details of what comes
next or what came before it.
Given that the current period has advocated for the
same kind of endurance, Duckett has every reason to be confused at his removal
following just one game. Is Atkinson worried about his spot on Tuesday after
coming in and giving up 33 runs in two overs? What about Curran, then? The
person who started the first game’s bowling also started the second and fourth
changes’ bowling.
Even when they win, England seem to be a side with too
many ideas rather than a team lacking any. Trinidad is expected to need much
more after switching to a spin-heavy model. We’re constantly told to trust the
process rather than the outcome. Sadly for England, it’s unclear exactly what
it entails.