England skipper Joe Root defended the approach of not going after the target of 272 runs set by New Zealand, to chase in the last two sessions of the first Test. He said that going over three runs per over from the start of an innings was not as ‘straightforward’ as it would appear for the outside world on a pitch not playing at its ‘absolute best.’
"Having played on that wicket for a few days, we knew it wasn't going to be as straightforward as it looked. If you look at the run rate throughout the game, it was hard to score above three an over even when the pitch was at its absolute best,” Root said.
Root said that England were keen to lay down a strong foundation but by the time they got through safely from the new ball spells of Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson, the chance of them going for the win became unrealistic. He lamented the lack of discipline while batting in the first innings. However, the skipper went on to say that the resilient efforts in the second innings can give England a lot of confidence going into the second Test.
"We wanted to lay ourselves a foundation, but, once we got through the initial phase, it just didn't feel like there was a realistic opportunity for us to win the game. So it was about using it as an opportunity to be a bit more disciplined as a batting group. At times in the first innings, we showed a little bit of ill-discipline. This was a chance to put that right and take a bit of confidence going into the rest of the series,” Root added.
Root added that England were ‘hammered’ in the first Test of the last two series against New Zealand and hence going into the Edgbaston Test will give his side a lot of confidence as the chance of series win is still on the cards.
"The last two times we've played in New Zealand we've been hammered in the first game and pretty much out the series. But going to Edgbaston, this series is very much alive. We've got a chance to win it and we can take confidence from some very good individual performances in this game,” Root concluded.
Opener Dominic Sibley started the Lord’s Test at the worst possible note, getting out for a duck against Jamieson. He was under enormous pressure coming into the first Test after having not passed a double-digit score in the last six innings. However, in the second innings, he showed firm resistance amid stern examination from New Zealand pacers on the final day that earned a high amount of praise from captain Root, who commended his mental capacity and ability to stand up in tough situations.
"He showed great resilience and character out there. He really did trust his defence and show that he has the mental capacity for Test cricket. Sometimes you learn a lot about players in those situations. On a surface like that, where the ball was going up and down, when guys respond in that manner, it tells you a lot about them. I'm really pleased for him and it will give him a lot of confidence,” Root added.
England would walk away from the Test being the number two side and if not for the openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley, the situation could have been a lot worse than what it turned out to be. Root recognised the fragile middle-order and said that England batting unit is far too good to not learn quickly and not respond well to it.
"I think there were a number of dismissals that weren't good enough for Test cricket in the first innings," he said. "We are better than that as a side. They're going to have to learn very quickly in this environment. But you know they have the right attitude and the right temperament. When they have made mistakes in the past, they have responded well,” Root reasoned.
"Today was an opportunity to show that we can be a little bit more resilient and harder to get out. The guys fronted up and I think they did it very well."
England will play New Zealand in the second Test of the series starting June 10 in Birmingham and Root has already declared that his side will be out to win the game and series having won some confidence from a draw at Lord’s.