England cricket team for ‘breaking records’, says up-and-coming coach

Granted: 30.6.2023 – 21:00

Ben Stokes’ side, who lost the first game of the five-match series last week, collapsed to 325 on Friday’s third morning in London, playing a series of hasty shots.

Australia then reached 130-2 in their second innings and increased their lead to 221 runs despite accurate bowling from the hosts.

Patel, England’s spin bowling coach, was asked what would be a realistic target to chase for a side that has attacked relentlessly over the past year.

“We’ve seen incredible things from this team,” he said. “It’s going to be a different ask against a different offense, but we’ve seen some crazy things from this lineup over the last year.

“This team is all about breaking records, they want to set new standards. They want to sell out lots, and the way to do that is to throw them out first and fire up the crowd and then chase whatever.”

England are taking note of back-to-back improbable run chases under skipper Stokes, including their stunning target of 378 to beat India last year – the most successful chase in their history.

“We’ve always said we want to play an aggressive brand,” said Patel. “It doesn’t always come off and it’s not the police. It’s just reality.

“They were quite precise in executing their plan.”

“We want to keep changing the pace,” he added. “We want to force swings into the game that come back to us a bit like white-ball cricket.”

Patel said the second Test was nicely done, although Ashes holders and world champions Australia look clear favourites.

“The first session tomorrow (Saturday) will be huge for both teams,” he added.

“If we can turn some of the skill that we showed tonight, tomorrow morning … we can throw them away and give us a day and a half to run something down.”

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who took England for 3-88 in the first innings, said the tourists had succeeded in their bowling tactics.

“The four of us (fast bowlers) went about our business there quite accurately and up around the chest and shoulders,” he said.

“I don’t want to face these things, so if it comes at a decent pace, I’m not sure anyone will.

“They (England) play aggressive cricket. Their approach is their approach. We saw an opportunity there to create chances, which we did.

“It doesn’t always go that way, and fortunately more went into the hands than into the ground.”

2023 AFP