Chesney Christ
New member
We are absolutely OWNING India in their own back yard, for the 2nd test running. Even Australia in their Warne/McGrath/Ponting prime didn’t do that. Historic stuff...
We are absolutely OWNING India in their own back yard, for the 2nd test running. Even Australia in their Warne/McGrath/Ponting prime didn’t do that. Historic stuff...
The best team in recent history has, for me, been the one that beat the Aussies in 2005.
The best team in recent history has, for me, been the one that beat the Aussies in 2005.
Yeah, but then they were relatively cack for the next 3-4 years. As a one-off side, great, but didn't build on it.
No disrespect to Cook and Pietersen and other current test batsmen but test bowling in the last 4-5 years has been distinctly ordinary. Would they have filled their boots against any of the great Windies pace attacks, through the 70's and 80's, or Lillee and Thompson, or Warne and McGrath in their pomp, or Wasim Akram and Waquar Younis, or Richard Hadlee? ( To name just a few )
The current England batting line-up is a pale shadow of Gooch ( + Boycott/Broad/Robinson )Gatting,Gower,Lamb and Botham who all faced the W Indies greatest ever bowlers. Before that was Boycott, Edrich, Dexter, Cowdrey, Barrington ( Graveney even ) D'oliveira. Tony Greig batted at six for England followed by Knott and Illingworth, all capable of making test hundreds.
We have a decent bowling attack at present but not outstanding. It is made to look better by some of the other test attacks around. Steyn and Morkel are aggressive and effective but will never make it into the all-time lists.
So my answer is no.
I believe that India are not what they were. Dravid and LAxman no logner in that side which is a massive gap. Ashwin not quite the bowler he was built up to be - I think that Monty has shown England to be better spinners than India - not sure that has been the case before. Quality side yes - but still reliant on Cook , Prior and Pietersen in this series. Bell, Compton (getting much better every innings to be fair) Bairstow, Patel - take their averages as a bunch and theyre not that great.
We will be a great side when we show the ability to come back rfom 114-6 and get 400. LIke the Aussies used to.
And as for 2005 - was a great series but watch the box set back now and one realises how much went for England throughout that series. Big decisions, drop catches, tosses won in favourable conditions and the McGrath injury just after they had murdered us in the first test.
Epic series yes. Epic side? No.
The one of the last 18 months in my opinion is much better. Geraint Jones, a woeful Ian Bell, ashley giles & Matthew Hoggard or:
Matt Prior, Monty Panesar, Alistair Cook and Steven Finn.
I dont believe there is any comparison.