This has been really good, hard-fought cricket from 2 evenly matched sides all the way through. A shame we never have 5 tests against NZ, because they always seem to be decent series. Trent Boult, what a bowler he is.
No chance these performances and comebacks would have happened under Root and Silverwood. You could see the energy and intent that McCullum and Stokes have instilled in the side right away. Have to admit I was mightily wrong about Bairstow! I wanted him dropped, but he's been sensational. Even going back to the tours of Aus and WI earlier this year, he's made 4 centuries in 7 tests in 2022, after making just 6 in 79 tests beforehand. Still feels unfortunate for Brook given the amount of runs he's churned out for Yorkshire, but I'm sure he'll get an opportunity at some stage due to injury etc.
However, I don't feel we can continue with Crawley any longer though? As an opening batsman he just looks all over the place, you could drive a bus in the gap he leaves between his bat and pad. Jamie Overton has had one test innings, coming in at number 8 with the team in all sorts of bother at 55-6, and he's outscored Crawley's entire contribution for the series.