Ā England’s magnificent cricket means they won all four Test matches against the team that was Number One in the world when they arrived. They won them by resounding margins.
I have heard much comment on how disappointing the Indian team was. I think there should be more recognition of just how good the England team has been. The Indian team contained some of the world’s greatest batsmen. The English bowlers contained them, pressured them, and usually bowled them out cheaply.
Ā The Indian team contained some good bowlers, who were able toĀ pressurise someĀ of the English batsmen some of the time.Ā Even Alastair Cook struggled at the beginning of the series. Ā Yet time after timeĀ Ā a few of the English batsmen showed huge skill, determination and ability. They got on top in the battle with the bowlers, and recorded large scores.
We are always willing to criticise when our team does badly. Let’s enjoy a smashing set of victories. It was not inevitable that they did that well. If they had played a little below the standard they achieved India would have looked an altogether stronger side. Getting Tendulkar or Dravid out for a low score is still oneĀ of the great achievements a test match bowler can put to his name.
This was truly a great performance by the team that is now the world’s best. Whatever happens next, that recent achievement cannot be taken away from them.
August 22, 2011
No argument Mr Redwood. England played superbly in all departments. Very impressive. I hope they can keep it up for a while.
August 22, 2011
That’s great JR but we are running third in the race for Libyan Rebel Oil. ENI and TOTAL Oil have guys on the ground already, thanks to Sarkozy.
Get cast iron Dave to ring BP and tell them to get out there now. At this rate, the French and the Italians, will be the only ones getting their money back on all the bombs; missiles and jet fuel.
How come Sarkozy always gets a pay-back from his NATO subscription and we don’t?
August 22, 2011
Boris Johnson is completely right: cricket is the one sport which unites Muslims, Indians, West Indians and even Australians in London.
Let’s see a lot more of it please!
August 22, 2011
No such thing as a ‘cricket hooligan’ Mike.
August 22, 2011
Pity we can’t get the Scots to show any excitement …
August 22, 2011
It’s difficult off the top of my head to think of another example of such a convincing, consistent demolition of a top test team. The Indians were just not allowed to compete and were very dispirited by the end.
England have a team (emphasis on team) which has both ability and strength in debt in both batting and bowling departments. It is also reasonably young, and not so dependent on a single individual as they have often been in the past.
A lot of money has been spent on improving their fitness, tactics and mental stamina and it shows.
zorro
August 22, 2011
I mean depth not debt! This global economic crisis is driving me nuts!
Zorro
August 22, 2011
And, what is more important, is that the Aussies can’t continue to say that we can only win in sports where we are sitting down.
I don’t know whether I get greater satisfaction from the fact that England are deservedly the best cricket team in the world, or derive even more satisfaction on how the Aussies are going to react.
Has anyone bothered to look where they are in the rankings? Middling I presume.
Well done England.
IMO, the best day for English cricket since Botham at Headingly.
August 23, 2011
Position of the Australians as middling? Middle and leg I would suggest…
BTW, an excellent article Mr R. I, too, was most excited by the quality of the team and the glorious result. Also, BTW, I am a Scotsman for those doubters below!
August 22, 2011
I was just wondering if , as a fitting tribute to a marvelous team performance , an English athlete of the first rank might be available to do the presentation honours , step forward Zola Budd.
August 22, 2011
Why can’t John congratulate the England team on their performance without someone knocking it?
August 22, 2011
D K McGregor
Or………perhaps….a…..Scottish athlete (titter)
Sour grapes from a Scottish gentleman ,how it must hurt Mr McGregor.
August 22, 2011
Yes an excellent performance all round.
When the batsmen consistantly get runs (and we bat a long way down the order at the moment) the bowlers can go all out for wickets, without a worry about the possible odd bad ball.
Let us hope it continues for a few years, at least we can cheer about something.
August 22, 2011
We’ve got a top order of batsman that can and do make BIG hundreds, a fit, accurate pace attack that can execute plans and a world class, attacking spinner for the first time I can remember. The coaching staff must be doing something right too.
Not to mention a tail that are capable of hitting first class hundreds right down to #10. Long may it continue!
August 23, 2011
Thank you Mr. Redwood for giving the cricketers the recognition they deserve for a great victory as it has not been given much prominence in the media.
If a top footballer does anything in his private or professional life, it is reported to ad nauseum. However, with cricket which actually does bring players and spectators together in a positive way, there is no appropiate acknowledgement.
August 23, 2011
Hear hear.
August 23, 2011
And what did the BBC do to celebrate this achievement? Newsnight decided that English cricket should be accused of racism and there not being enough asians in the side.
August 23, 2011
A good team doing their best is always hard to best.
Let’s hope England prevail against Australia and the W Indies to be more widely recognised as champions!
I shall not speculate about the standard running down of Britain over the past few years and it’s principal unpatriotic sources.
Reply: This England team has already won in Australia
August 23, 2011
Just a little joke , I am really very pleased that the MCC have put a winning side together . Winning does the whole country good and I wish them well ,especially against the Aussies!