Test Cricket 2011 : The Rising English Empire

After all the World Cup hoopla and the circus antics of the Indian Premier League startlingly we are on the verge of some Test matches being played!

There are many questions for the respective Teams going into the toughest form of the game,but one of the compelling is the actual standing of the English Team.We pose this query on the back of them being regal in their comprehensive mauling of Australia in the Ashes.Though looking at that series in greater depth the question has to be asked whether England were that good that they have shown a glimpse of their potential to dominate Test cricket.Or rather were they made to look good by a very average Australian side.That was even more shabbily coached and managed?

I’m very much a believer in the former to the point that I believe that Test cricket in the very near future is going to be ruled by the English Empire.

Here is why I think that

1.The effect of the Head Coach Andy Flower

Great Coach-Andy Flower Since taking over in 09 England hasn’t lost a Test series and has won the Ashes both at home and for the first time in 24 years on Aussie soil. He has commandeered a side much in the manner the great Bobby Simpson did when developing the Aussie era of greatness.In regards to being so stringent on the basics of the game like fielding and as we saw in the Ashes the English are amongst the best in this side of the game. He has been proactive in the behind the scenes in dealing with the incumbent players with a good case in point being Alistair Cook. Who previous to the Ashes. In the English Summer was touted for the chop due to his weakness outside off.Though come the Ashes the weakness was addressed in a compelling manner and the results were there for all to see.He has instilled a belief in the players and the Team to the point where they are so strong in the mind and like the Aussies previous.So hard to beat even when under the pump.

2.The English have a great Number 3

Jonathan Trott-Awesome Number 3! In all the era’s of dominance by respected Teams the one thing that is consistent in their make up is the presence of a very fine number three batsman. If you look at the great English of the 30′s they had Wally Hammond,The Aussie Invincibles had Bradman,The great West Indians had Viv Richards and throughout Australia’s era of greatness they had two very fine number threes in David Boon and then Ricky Ponting.Even the nominal number 1 Test Team at presence in India has had one of the greatest in Rahul Dravid.

In Jonathan Trott, England have one of the best and most versatile batsmen in the World at 3.In the regards to that he is a traditional old style player by being defence minded and with the technique and temperament to bat long periods.Though also has the shot making ability to dominate attacks if the situation is right. At 30 he is in the peak of his career and will give nightmares to opposition attacks.

3.The English Strength in Depth

Quality Depth-Chris Tremlett. This is two fold in regards to the English always have a ready made replacement,but also with so many players on the bench. It keeps the pressure on the incumbents in the Team to perform.It’s not just in one area of the game either with all areas covered.You saw this in the Ashes with the depth of reserves in the pace department with Stuart Broad being injured and Steve Finn tiring.So not an issue with Chris Tremlett replacing Broad and Tim Bresnan Finn and not a beat is missed.A brief analysis of English pace bowling reserves would have you list these names as Test class.James Anderson,Stuart Broad,Steve Finn,Tim Bresnan,Graeme Onions and Chris Tremlett.Then outside of those players very likely types like Chris Woakes and Ajmal Shahzad.That give England 8 perspective fast bowlers to choose from-impressive hey!Then you might point at the reserves in the spin department?Well you have the man regarded as the best spinner in the World at present in Graeme Swann.Which admittedly is more a case of him holding this title because of a dearth of quality spinners on the World scene.Though still Swann is a very effective Test performer.Then in the background you have the ever improving leg spinner Adil Rashid and the useful left arm spin of Monty Panesar.Also there is the young precocious talents of Danny Briggs left arm spin and as we saw in the World Cup Ireland’s George Dockrell.Who can logically expect a call to join the English fraternity sometime in the near future.

Rising Star-James Hildreth

Again not short on twirlers either and quality ones at that! Lastly on the batting side of things we saw in the Ashes with the struggles of Paul Collingwood and his subsequent retirement.That not only a ready made replacement was there for him in Eoin Morgan,but also others in the domestic scene such as James Hildreth and Ravi Bopara.Then precocious youth such as James Taylor,Sam Northeast and Ben Stokes.

4.The effect of the English Conditions

Arguably with South African condition the English conditions at present in World Cricket is the toughest.It used to be the case with the raging turners in Asia or the fiery and bouncy conditions in Australia,but these are now a thing of the past with both being very batting friendly.

This has a duel edged effect with visiting batsmen finding it very difficult in the swinging and seaming English condition.Compounded by the expertise of the English to exploit them.And then from a batting point of view the English with their ability to excel in these conditions.When they visit other countries with more batting friendly conditions they duly dominate.I can see this becoming a fortress for England much in the same manner that the Aussie conditions were for Australia

5.The Effect of The English Players Being Paid Well

In the current climate with T20 Tournaments popping up here there and everywhere and the effect it has had on players from Nations who aren’t paid well.It is huge for they can’t resist the lure of the riches in T20 as we have seen with players from New Zealand,West Indies and Asian Nations who have forsaken Test Cricket and their Nations to cash in in the respective T20 Leagues.This won’t be the case for the English players who are paid very well so they can affore to resist the lure of cash over Country.

So with more and more teams weakened by this it will accentuate England’s strength in the game by them not being unduly affected by it

6.The Teams Versatility and Braveness to Use It

Matt Prior-Great Wicketkeeper/Batsman

In the midst of the recent great Indian Team ive always thought that with their weakness in the the bowling side of the game and the batting conditions they play on at home.The logical move would be to bat M.S.Dhoni at 6 and play 5 bowlers-though Indian mindsets are staunchly conservative and this never happensUnder Flower you can see the English doing this for they will back Matt Prior to bat at 6 with his excellent batting pedigree.Then feel at ease by the fact that many of the English bowlers are very adept with the willow.To the point of being able to label players like Stuart Broad,Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan bowling all rounders…Then on the horizon is Chris Woakes, who is showing every sign that he could be England’s next great all rounder.Just going on his dominance in County cricket with both bat and ball.The true litmus Test of this will be the English tour of India later in the year and their willingness to do this.

7.The Teams Maturation

Ian Bell-Maturing into a fine PlayerWe saw a false dawn for England after the 05 Ashes with them getting pummelled after by the Aussies in Australia.The key factor with the success being built on the exceptional performance of a few rather than the even contribution of many like has been symbolic of England in the last two years.The win in Australia showed a maturation not only performance on the field but in the mind.You saw this with the English when they had the chance to crush the Aussies they did,rather than just merely beat them.That is always a great sign of mental strength through how relentless and thorough they were.

Then the improvements of players like Ian Bell,Alistair Cook,Matt Prior and James Anderson in regards to him performing away from English.Duly dispelling the myth that he’s only a fine bowler in bowling friendly English confines.Makes England a formidable Team with only Andrew Strauss at 34 likely to retire any time soon.

The Main Challengers

At present India and South Africa are at the top of the tree.The English play India at home and then away.So going into the English side of the heavy weight clash you can reasonably expect England to prevail based on the all round strength in their side.Whereas India are regal in batting, but are a serious injury to Zaheer Khan away from being toothless in bowling.So in English condition you can expect the bowlers being good enough to neutralise India’s main strength in batting.

The true test to England will be how they fare in Indian conditions.Where one of their main strengths in Graeme Swann will struggle to be a factor due to the Indian’s disdain of any calibre of spinner.Then also the challenge for English bowlers to be a factor in India.Where they have struggled.How they go against India especially in India will be key to truly seeing England’s current standing in the gameIn the long run the clash with South Africa promises to be the stuff for the ages………..