England Tour review by Jim Ellingham

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Event:

New Zealand in England 2004

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James Ellingham reviews the England test and one day tour, player by player.

 

Nathan Astle (7/10): Made a great start to the tour then went through a run drought in the middle. Soon showed his class in the final two games of the NatWest Series. All in all, a good solid comeback to international cricket.

 

Shane Bond (2/10): Was never going to play a big part in the tour but ended up playing almost no part. Only bright spot was his lightning spell against Worcestershire. Some hope that he will return to New Zealand colours in the coming summer.

 

Ian Butler (8/10): Was unlucky not to play in the 3rd test but showed his class in the NatWest Series once he belatedly got his chance. Should have a bid part to play on the fast Australian pitches.

 

Chris Cairns (7/10): Went out of test cricket on a high with one of his best bowling spells in years. His innings at Lord’s was almost the highlight of the tour and his bowling was strong throughout the NatWest Series. His batting did tail of slightly.

 

Stephen Fleming (8/10): Was in superb form all tour with the bat and his captaincy was reminiscent of Geoff Howarth’s in the NatWest Series. His captaincy was however uninspiring in the tests.

 

James Franklin (7/10): Another success story of the tour. Was unlucky not to make the test team in the first place as an inferior swing bowler in Mills replaced him. Should now replace Chris Martin in the New Zealand test team.

 

Chris Harris (4/10): Had a quiet one day series and was on the whole unable to capitalize on his limited chances. The only time Harris performed in tour was in the NatWest Final at Lord’s where along with Vettori he had the West Indies in a tangle.

 

Gareth Hopkins (7/10): Was unluckily run out without facing a ball at Lord’s but was on the whole tidy with the gloves. The only exception being the dropping of Trescothick that ultimately led to the English opener being run out.

 

Brendon McCullum (8/10): Was good with both bat and gloves. Is no longer an outstanding player of the future but is an outstanding player of the present.

 

Craig McMillan (4/10): Failed with the bat in the test series and struggled with injury. Had limited opportunities in the NatWest Series until he played a superb innings at Lord’s. Faces a battle to hold on to his place as Fulton, Papps, Sinclair and the brothers Marshall continue to develop.

 

Hamish Marshall (9/10): Now averages in the mid forties in one day cricket and had a superb tour. Has taken to international cricket like a duck to water and must be very close to gaining a test place.

 

Chris Martin (2/10): Bowled with no fire of energy at all and will most probably be absent from the selectors thoughts when they pick their next test team. Could force his way back with a strong State season though.

 

Kyle Mills (2/10): Marginal tour selection at best and was forced home with injury. May find it hard to regain his one day place with the re-emergence of Franklin.

 

Jacob Oram (7/10): Had a tour of two half’s with him being strong with the bat in the test series as injury ruined his bowling while in the one dayers he failed to make his mark with the bat while he showed why he is a world class one day bowler.

 

Michael Papps (6/10): Made the most of his limited opportunities with a plucky innings at Headingly.

 

Mark Richardson (10/10): Had the series of his life after his career had reached the cross roads following a testing home summer. He now has a greater repertoire of shots but must have more match play in the Auckland domestic season to ensure the 2004/5 season runs more smoothly then 2003/4.

 

Scott Styris (5/10): Was largely disappointing with the bat apart from his hundred in the final test. Bowled some very useful spells in both forms of the game.

 

Daryl Tuffey (3/10): Injury and poor form saw Tuffey have his worst ever test series where he and Martin looked like the PNBHS 5th XI opening attack. Things looked to be on the rise again when he bowled well in the opening NatWest Series match but injury once again intervened. May only have a bit role to play in the one day side in the immediate future however as Franklin, Butler and co look to have all the bowling places sewn up.

 

Daniel Vettori (5/10): Scored some handy runs with the bat during the test tour but was disappointing with the ball. Had a quiet one day series, being neither impressive nor poor until that magic display at Lord’s. His test places must still be under pressure though but a big series in favourable conditions against Bangladesh could do him the world of good.

 

Chris Martin faces a long road back to Test cricket

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Jim Ellingham)