The English summer came to an end with West Indies doing what India couldn’t for 2 months. The way England molested fake #1 was a sad sight for a neutral cricket fan. England haven’t lost a Test series for two and a half years. 2012 will be crucial for England Test cricket as they are scheduled to tour India and face Saffers (who won in England last time) at home.
Batting seems to be solid. Even the low order is strong with Bresnan, Broad & Swann. Steyn & Morkel will be the real test for them, but it’s not their batting that I want to concentrate on.
Isn’t it fascinating to see a real bowling attack after a while? They possess 4 quality pace bowlers & world’s best spinner. There is absolutely no respite for opposition batsmen. Anderson, Broad, Tremlett & Swann form a lethal bowling attack, and then there is Bresnan who can come in at any given time. Young prospect Steven Finn who has been bowling with fire for Middlesex is not too far away.
Anderson has been a class act for last 2 years. Swing bowling at its best. Swann is somewhat different from the regular finger spinner. He’s got the ability to spin the ball at good pace unlike most spinners. It’s obvious that these 2 will continue to be at the top of their game. Big man Tremlett has made few batsmen jump around with discomfort. Broad stormed his way back into form by bowling some memorable spells against Dravid, Tendulkar & Laxman. He could have finished with more wickets if Hawk-Eye was there and had England slip fielders held their catches. Bresnan has been mighty impressive with his line & length stuff at decent pace. He’s been bowling like a matured Test bowler.
Do they have it in them to perform in most conditions? Can they do it in India? Only time will tell what this English bowling attack is capable of….
Well last time England went to India straight after that massive Ashes series it didn’t go so well. But I think most of that party were still hungover from the Ashes celebrations. I remember Cook good a 100 in that tour and was sort of the start his career revival.
I wonder if England his similar issues with tiredness.
Can Anderson swing the SG ball ? (think they still use that in India) on flat decks ? He was hopeless in the world cup.
Can Broad / Tremlett adjust their back of the length to a fuller length ?
I think Bresnan might be the start on this tour.
Broad has shown it few times that he can adjust his length. Should have had 12 wickets in that 1st Test v IND. 3 umpiring decisions & 2 dropped chances (5 different batsmen). All those 5 wickets were taken by other bowlers. Was very unlucky couple of times not to get Tendulkar during that series thanks to umpires’ reluctance to lift the finger against the little ‘No UDRS’ champ.