England Cricket Thread 2011

[KevinGage]

Anyone prepared to admit that its actually quite boring watching England destroy teams?

Actually yes, a bit.

I thought my Aussie mate was just rubbing it in further when he said the 5-0 whitewash in 06/07 was a bit disappointing to him -as he wanted a more even contest.

But I get what he means now. You want a series with a bit of needle, a match defining session and a bit of drama. This is a lot like watching the Aussies pulverise the Windies and many other weak nations at home post 2000. I actually find myself wanting things to go the oppositions way, just to even it up a bit.

Credit to England though, winning as many tests as they have in a row -and many of them by an innings- is no fluke.  Everyone has chipped in too -it's not as if a stellar run of form by a KP or a Swann has carried the side.  Nullify KP and Cook, Trott or Bell have all stepped up. Swann  isn't in the game > the seamers take care of business anyway.

Relentless, is probably the most fitting description.

[VillaZogmariner]

The difference between England and the rest of the Test Nations is the strength in depth we have. Look at some of the players we have that aren't playing in this test - Trott, Tremlett, Finn, Davies and Panesar (still a very good spinner). Add to them some of the younger players coming through (Woakes, Taylor, Kieswetter, Dernbach etc). As has been shown, take Trott out of this team and Bell can step up to Number 3 and post back to back centuries. Take someone like Kallis, Zaheer, Watson et al out of their respective nations and they have nobody to step up to the plate.

On the point somebody raised about Bell not getting the laudits he deserves in England I take it you don't read much cricket press or listen to the commentators, all of whom say he is by far the best technically gifted player around today.

[PaulWinch again]

Morgan goes for 1, Bopara's chance now.

[PaulWinch again]

I really hope Bopara gets some runs.

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Belly, 200.

[Villan For Life]

Brilliant innings by Bell. A fantastic knock.

[taylorsworkrate]

Weather looks likely to rob us of a 4-0 whitewash.

[PaulWinch again]

Bye bye Sehwag

[Villan For Life]

Another wonderful days cricket for England.  103 - 5,  I would think that India will be following on by midday tomorrow.

The test should end tomorrow and we don't play another until January. I'm going to experience withdrawl symptoms! I don't mind ODI's but I much prefer the tests.

[taylorsworkrate]

Quality bowling performance yet again from England.

The intensity and skill levels were bang on.  Swann bowled beautifully.  I almost felt sorry for Raina the way Swann was toying with him.

[PaulWinch again]

India 3 down following on. Massive turn from Swann to bowl Sehwag.

[PaulWinch again]

Sorry 2 down.

[Villan For Life]

Swann is bowling magnificently in this innings.

[Chris Smith]

Another one gone, great bowling from Jimmy. We are unrelenting, it must be a nightmare to play against this attack.

[taylorsworkrate]

Have to say that Dravids knock was one of the best hundreds I've seen.

He really has been a lone hand in Indias line up.