The 4-1 series defeat in India at the start of this year was the catalyst. Dropped were Bairstow and Ben Foakes, while Anderson was given a farewell Test against the West Indies to say goodbye. A dominant home summer followed against weak opponents, which in turn was followed up by two heavy defeats in Pakistan.
This tour of New Zealand was meant to be the true litmus test. A strong opponent, playing on their own turf in a country in which England haven't won a series since 2008. The Kiwis were considered marginal favourites in some quarters and heavy in others. No one, however, expected England to cruise to a 2-0 lead with two crushing victories. A country that hadn't been conquered in 16 years, swept aside in less than two weeks.
But New Zealand have been bad. And at some points, they have been awful. An out-of-character first Test performance, where they dropped eight catches and threw away strong positions in both the first and second innings of the match, was followed up by a disappointing showing in the second.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, they had England 21-3 and on the ropes, before a Harry Brook century lifted England to 280. But New Zealand were still set up to finish day one in a strong position. Wrong. They lost five wickets of their own before close and less than six hours after they had threatened to skittle England for under 100, they were staring defeat in the face.
Denne historien er fra December 10, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 10, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Murdoch loses court case in real-life 'Succession' battle
Rupert Murdoch's attempt to give his eldest son control of his family media empire has been blocked by a US court after a lengthy legal battle with three of his other children.
Netanyahu takes witness stand in corruption trial
Benjamin Netanyahu has become Israel’s first sitting prime minister to testify as a criminal defendant – having taken the witness stand in his lengthy corruption trial.
US shooting suspect shouts as he's dragged into court
Mangione: 'It's an insult to the intelligence of Americans'
PinkNews bosses accused of sexual misconduct by staff
The couple who run the LGBT+ website PinkNews have been accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct by staff members.
Dutiful Dylan biopic lacks the electricity of its subject
Timothée Chalamet tries his hardest in the competent but uninspired 'A Complete Unknown'
Birmingham Council agrees huge historic equal pay deal
Council facing £760m bill reaches settlement with unions
The billionaire appointed as Reform UK's new treasurer
Property tycoon and celebrity husband Nick Candy says he'll raise record funds for the right-wing outfit
Former Tory who organised Nazi stag do joins Reform
A former Tory MP who organised an infamous Nazi-themed stag party has joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Aidan Burley was sacked as a ministerial aide after the incident came to light.
Does Reeves's war on waste signal a return to austerity?
As a sort of softening-up exercise in advance of next year's comprehensive, first principles \"zero-based\" spending review, the chancellor of the Exchequer is taking her self-styled iron fist to government waste.
Secret underground tunnels found under Assad mansion
Secret escape tunnels used by the Assad family have been discovered after their tyrannical regime was overthrown by Syrian rebel forces over the weekend.