It’s not often that England can say that it’s the best in the world. The football side has been off the pace for the coming up on 50 years later this decade. The transport system isn’t much cop either. Thankfully, apart from the UK’s gambling industry, one of the national sport sides has reached number one in the world in impressive fashion. The series whitewash completed today means that England’s cricketers are now the unanimous choice at the top of the ICC World Test rankings.
By beating India 4-0, it’s the first time they’ve recorded a completed whitewash since 2004. Not even the most optimistic of cricket hacks would have expected it to be this comprehensive though. Where did it go wrong for the Indians though?
The side can point to injuries plaguing the side all series with Zaheer Khan starting off the cakewalk to the sick bay in the opening test. That would take a lot away from the impressive performance that certain England players have displayed.
Seven of the English batsmen averaged over 50 with the pick Kevin Pietersen (106.60) and Ian Bell (84.00). There were a total of seven centuries amongst the swordsmen and that was before you even mentioned the bowling attack. Stuart Broad accounted for 25 Indian batsmen at an average of 13.84. Tim Bresnan will challenge for Man of the Series honours after an average of 77.00 with the bat and 16 wickets at an average of 16.31. Not bad for a fat boy, is it?
India never really got going and all those on the subcontinent that wagered against Sachin Tendulkar achieving his 100th century will be happy they erred on the side of caution. The one bright spark, or should we say dim flicker, was veteran Rahul Dravid who was the only Indian to achieve an average of any note (76.83). The bowling was atrocious and they will be left picking up the pieces before the upcoming limited-overs series.
England should build on this and will be buoyed by the fact that they’re on top of the world. How long that will last is in their hands.
