The Rise Of English Cricket

At home in particular England have an awesome record but they have registered notable victories abroad too – in Australia in 2010-11, in India two years later and now in South Africa. A couple of blips have been in their performances otherwise England would have been probably No 1 by now.

- Partab Ramchand

They are not the No 1 team in the ICC Test rankings but England are performing like one. And with their fortunes on the upsurge symbolized by their series victory in South Africa it would not be surprising if they regain the numero uno slot which was briefly theirs a few years ago.

When there is a discussion on outstanding teams in world cricket the focus is generally on Australia or the West Indies or even India and Pakistan. Very rarely is the England side the subject of these discussions though over the years they have had their days in the sun. Almost throughout the fifties they were the No 1 team though there were no rankings then. But they topped the official rankings with their 4-0 rout of India in 2011. And under first Andrew Strauss and now under Alastair Cook they have developed into a world beating outfit. Perhaps no single statistic illustrates this better than the fact that they have won five of the last seven Ashes series. And given the humiliation they suffered at the hands of Australia from 1989 to 2003 losing eight successive contests this is a terrific comeback. At home in particular England have an awesome record but they have registered notable victories abroad too – in Australia in 2010-11, in India two years later and now in South Africa. A couple of blips have been in their performances in Pakistan and Sri Lanka otherwise England would have been probably No 1 by now.

One reason why England does not hold the imagination of the cricket follower like some of the other teams is because generally their game does not excite. It is based more on solidity and safety first tactics, on substance rather than style. Once in a way England might produce a Botham or a Pietersen but their overall image is more in keeping with a Boycott or a Gooch. Things are changing however and England are now a blend of substance and style and of youth and experience.