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The Cricket Debate Podcast: Have James Vince and Mark Stoneman saved their Test careers?

Sky Sports Cricket Podcast

Mark Butcher and Bob Willis join Charles Colvile to discuss James Vince, Mark Stoneman and whether England can record a first away win in 13 Tests.

SKY SPORTS CRICKET PODCAST (listen here)

For the second day running England got the better of New Zealand at the Hagley Oval and now look in a good position to push on and level the series.

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With that in mind, Bob and Butch ponder whether England have still got the killer instinct to finish the job after 12 Test matches without a win on the road and if that may lead to a more conservative declaration.

Butch argues the state of the series means England should be positive and, if needs be, risk a defeat rather than bat too long to try to make absolutely sure they avoid another loss. Especially given a draw in Christchurch would still see them lose the series.

Two of the men to have put England in such a strong position are Mark Stoneman and James Vince, both of whom hit half-centuries. But having again failed to go on and make three figures, will those fifties be enough to secure their places for the first Test of the summer?

Our panel mull over the potential replacements with Haseeb Hameed, fresh from a century in a warm-up game for Lancashire, seen as the best option in the long-term - if he can get himself back in the runs after a lean 2017, that is.

Also See:

Cricket Debate

Also up for discussion are:

  • Stuart Broad's first five-for in over two years
  • Defeat for England Women in the T20 Tri-Series final
  • The state of Zimbabwean cricket
  • Is Alastair Cook becoming the Arsene Wenger of cricket?

For all that, and for more, download the Sky Cricket Podcast NOW!

Watch The Cricket Debate from 5.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket with coverage of day four of the second Test between New Zealand and England starting at 10.30pm.

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