December 17th 2024.
As the final match of the series in Hamilton draws to a close, England's star all-rounder Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum watch on with disappointment etched on their faces. It's becoming a common sight for the English cricket team, who seem to be struggling more and more as the year goes on. In fact, this is the fourth time they have lost the final match of a series in 2024, a concerning trend for a team that used to struggle at the start of a series, but now seems to fade away towards the end.
Despite this defeat, England managed to clinch the series 2-1, but their opponents, India and Australia, will surely have taken note of their collapse in New Zealand. The third Test of that series marked the 17th Test match England has played this year, with an average of one match every 21.4 days. This may seem doable, but when you consider the lack of recovery time between each match, it becomes a grueling schedule for both the body and mind.
Tiredness is a common enemy for all sports teams, but it's worrying to see England struggling so much by the third match of a series, especially with two big series against India and Australia on the horizon. As former Australia captain Steve Waugh once pointed out, the real challenge for a series winner is to also win the final Test, even when it may be considered a "dead rubber." Waugh himself was known for his no-nonsense attitude and his determination to win every single match, even when the series had already been decided.
In 2001, Waugh famously played with a torn calf muscle in the final Ashes Test just to prove a point, scoring a match-winning 157 in the process. This kind of determination and focus is what England will need as they face tougher opponents in the future. Former England captain Graham Gooch also understood the importance of maintaining a winning mentality, as he rallied his team to chase down a seemingly impossible target of 442 in a match they didn't need to win, but did so out of personal pride.
England's current captain, Ben Stokes, has claimed that the team has banned the word "ruthless" from the dressing room, preferring to focus on winning every game rather than being labeled as ruthless or not. This may seem like a silly rule to some, but top-level sports requires a certain level of ruthlessness in every aspect, from selection calls to dispatching opponents. To deny this reality is to deny the competitive spirit that drives most athletes.
Despite their recent struggles, England has also discovered some promising young talents like Jacob Bethell, who impressed with both bat and ball in New Zealand, and Brydon Carse, a bowler who will do anything for his team. However, there are also concerns, such as Stokes' increasing injury troubles and the inconsistent form of players like Zak Crawley.
As the team takes a break over the Christmas holidays, fans and experts alike will continue to ponder the team's philosophy under Stokes and McCullum. While their style of play may be entertaining, it has also led to some disastrous collapses, such as in Rawalpindi and in Hamilton. The team's decision-making has also come under scrutiny, with some questionable selections and tactics being employed.
But despite the ups and downs, one thing is for sure: the English cricket team will continue to fight and push themselves to be the best, even if it means facing challenges and setbacks along the way. That is the true spirit of competition, and it's what makes sports so thrilling to watch.
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