Michael Vaughan very recently wrote that England is World No.1 material in Test Cricket. As an Englishman he can very well say that and take huge applauses from various segments, given the Three Lions’ recent heroics in the mother of all battles i.e. The Ashes.
But the reasons he has given for the climbing up in the ladder to beat other teams is a bit staggering. Sri Lanka, according to him, can’t take 20 wickets to win a test match post Mutthiah Muralitharan’s retirement. Well, after the series against India, SL’s only test series was against WI in which the players spent more time in the dressing room than on the wicket. True, you can’t take the wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul from your dressing room. But I want Vaughan to devise a system wherein Cricket can be played when there is heavy rain.
South Africa can’t play well without Dale Syeyn and Morne Morkel as there are no real quick bowling talents in the bench, according to Vaughan. True, SA hasn’t found a replacement for Makhaya Ntini yet, but to say that the rest can’t live up to the battle is hard to accept as there is no reason to look past them in the normal course of proceedings. Lonwobo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell are good enough bowlers who can develop into real options VERY SOON.
Now let’s come to India. Yes, they are an ageing side. Yes, the three middle order stalwarts are nearing their end of their magnificent careers. But you can say with absolute certainty that all 3 won’t retire at the same time. It will be a smooth transition with the replacements adjusting to Intl. Cricket with the guidance of the remaining players. Surely you won’t see Dravid and Tendulkar leave like Warne and McGrath in the same test. Dravid could be first; it will be at least 1 year after, when Tendulkar will leave and surely VVS will be the last given the fact that he is a couple of years younger.
Zaheer can’t bowl forever? What’s that all about? Zaheer is improving his fitness every day and is the best left-arm seam bowler today. One reason for Australia’s slump is due to their inability to dislodge Strauss and Cook early. Give the ball to Zak and they’ll be no-where. He is certainly the best bowler to left-handers right now. Besides, what is the probability of Anderson and Broad being there forever. One gets a comedy injury in a BOOT CAMP and the other is out for the next couple of months.
Yes, England is playing well AT THE MOMENT. But it’s not that there are no flaws in the team. Australia is playing their worst Cricket in years. England are fortunate to have players coming back to form at the right moment. Where were Kevin Pieterson and Alaistair Cook 5-6 months ago? Both had slumped badly and are now playing good cricket. Australia’s inability to bowl to southpaws has worked in England’s favour. Cook looked to be absolutely clueless against Mohd. Amir and Wahab Riaz before striking form against Sidddle & Co. Kevin Pieterson scored his first score of 100+ in more than the period he would have liked. Paul Collingwood is playing as though he was coached by Chris Martin to bat.
One thing’s for sure. Graeme Swann is the best spinner right now. But to say Monty is the back-up is absolutely laughable. Every team can say that they have an upcoming talent, like Vaughan says Adil Rashid. Ask Anderson to bowl against the Indians in Chennai and he’ll be mauled badly. To compare a SL attack in a rainy Colombo with England’s in the bouncy Perth is insane.
The battle is on for the top honours at the moment and it very much looks like the MS Dhoni led India will have it as their own for a long time. I’d like to see Vaughan’s reaction after India’s test tour of England later this year. I hope he compares better then. Good Luck Vaughnny.
1 comment:
Hey Ram,
Was waiting for this blog of urs. I tend to slightly disagree with ur thoughts. SA's replacement for Morkel and Steyn are very raw. SA will no longer be a threat once this duo is out. Similar is the case with India. If Zak is out, there is hardly anyone to replace him. If you see India's success, Zak played a major role in it. So if Zak goes out, then India are definitely gonna struggle. But same is not the case with England. They have Tremlett, Bresman at the backup. They have shown glimpses of good performance in the absence of their main bowlers. As u say, India's tour to England is going to be a cracker. It may be Sachin's last test at the Lord's. He gotta make his name to the honorary board. Cheers.
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