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.
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.
Bu hikaye Cricket Today dergisinin February 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Cricket Today dergisinin February 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Is Joe Root The Best Batter Among The Fab 4?
Joe Root's ability to perform in all conditions sets him apart. Although he hasn't yet scored a century in Australia, he averages nearly 40 on their challenging pitches. More importantly, he has scored centuries across various countries...
5 Reasons Why Suryakumar Yadav Must Stick To T20I Cricket
At 34 years old, Suryakumar Yadav is at a crucial juncture in his career. While age may be a concern for some cricketers, in SKY'S case, it could be a blessing in disguise. By focusing solely on T20ls, he can maximize his longevity in the game...
5 Reasons Why BCCI Should Stop Giving Special Treatment To Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two of the most successful and iconic cricketers India has ever produced. Their contributions to Indian cricket are unparalleled, with both players boasting impressive records across all formats...
TOP-RANKED JANNIK SINNER AND WOMEN'S NO. 2 ARYNA SABALENKA WIN TITLES IN CINCINNATI
An American man hasn't won the title in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick in 2006. Sabalenka moved up a spot to No. 2 in the rankings before the match...
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA WINS FEDEX CUP PLAYOFFS OPENER
Birdies on the final two holes — among the toughest on the TPC Southwind - gave the Japanese star an even-par 70 and a two-shot victory over Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland, who thought they were playing for cash and FedEx Cup points...
AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS, CITIES AND COUNTRIES WERE DISCREETLY MAKING THEIR CASE TO HOST IN 2036
If the 2036 Olympics must go to Asia — a logical option to follow Paris, Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032 — then Indonesia will push its case as a fast-emerging economy of 280 million people...
STEPHEN CURRY'S BARRAGE SEALS ANOTHER OLYMPIC MEN'S BASKETBALL TITLE FOR USA
Kevin Durant - the first four-time men's gold medalist in Olympic basketball history - scored 15 for the Americans, as did Devin Booker. LeBron James, wearing metallic gold shoes that needed no explanation, scored 14...
MAN CITY BEAT MAN UNITED IN SHOOTOUT TO WIN COMMUNITY SHIELD
The game went straight to penalties - there is no extra time in the Community Shield and Silva saw his shot saved by Andre Onana off City's first attempt. Jadon Sancho failed off United's fourth kick...
5 REASONS WHY PAKISTAN IS OVERRATED IN TEST CRICKET
One of the primary reasons for Pakistan's struggles in Test cricket is the imbalance in team selections. The frequent introduction of new players disrupts team cohesion, causing tensions between newcomers and established member...
BANGLADESH REGISTER HISTORIC CRICKET TRIUMPH IN PAKISTAN
The recent civil unrest that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina caused Bangladesh to be stripped of the Women's Twenty20 World Cup, and in the past week, the country has been hit by deadly flash floods that have affected millions of people...