English press: 'Pretenders' taught lesson by Black Caps

England's Adil Rashid hold his hands on his head while bowling to Kane Williamson. Photo / AP

Here we go again. Much like the test series it seems like the British press focus on how England have gone one step forwards and then two steps back while praising New Zealand's brilliance in the process.

A thrilling display of attacking cricket saw England break records and win the first ODI at a canter. Now two defeats playing in the same cavalier fashion to the superior Black Caps, who've quickly become wise to their act, is another sharp reality check for England's gallant warriors.

Nick Hoult in the Telegraph wrote: "The young pretenders were taught a lesson by masters of the modern art of one-day batting as New Zealand took a 2-1 lead in the Royal London series.

"In the recent past England have doggedly worked their way to 300, ticking off the pre-conceived target in stages and walked off confident of victory only to see opponents win at a canter. This was different. Here they went down swinging.

"But over-exuberance cost them five wickets for 14 runs in 22 balls as in the rush for the finishing line the tail forget the old fashioned maxim of ensuring you bat your full 50 overs."

Vic Marks in the Guardian wrote how the "the magic wand of Edgbaston, where England conjured their largest ever ODI victory, has lost some of its potency.

"The defeat is a setback to the brave new world of England's ODI cricket but it need not be a major one. England stuck to their determination to play carefree, fearless cricket."
Perhaps England are getting carried away with their new style and each new batsmen is more determined to attack with more reckless abandon than the last. T

heir youthful exuberance is no match for the Black Caps experience and nous as the Independent's headline reads: "Old hands Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson are too ruthless for callow England."

Tom Collomose wrote: "This was Taylor's 162nd 50-over game for his country, and Williamson's 77th. England's XI could muster only 379 caps, 144 of which belong to Captain Eoin Morgan.

"His team have talent, enthusiasm and verve, yet they lacked the poise and class of the Black Caps pair."

Acclaimed praise can soon turn to criticism as Collomose adds: "In limited-overs cricket, there is a fine line between aggression and carelessness. With no recognised batsman remaining, Stokes, who had 68 from 46 deliveries, tried to heave debutant Ben Wheeler's final delivery to the midwicket boundary.

"He lost his leg stump, and with him went many of England's hopes. Stokes will think twice before doing that again."

It appears that England's new attacking approach needs nurturing and the Black Caps are everything they aspire to be.