‘The Summer of 2011...’

Well, that wasn’t quite the end to the summer we were all hoping for. After their ten-wicket thrashing of the West Indies on Friday, everyone assumed that Sundays match would offer much of the same. Yet, the West Indian spinners had other ideas and England’s young-guns floundered under the pressure. Chasing a more than manageable total, they capitulated in a wave of panic. Four run-outs being the result. Nevertheless, one dismal performance should not detract from the fact that 2011 has been England’s summer. Winning every series, rising to the top of the Test rankings and beginning to look like a dominant force, the future is bright. The future is red and white.

A Damp Series

The current One Day Series against India has, lets face it, been a bit of a damp squib and that’s not just because of the weather. With the first ODI called off due to rain, the second reduced to just 23 overs a side, the third being decided by Duckworth Lewis and the fourth a tie, there hasn’t been much to cheer about. Add into the equation the fact that eight of the original Indian team have gone home (for some various and, it has to be said, dubious reasons), and this ODI series is proving to be a bit of a let down. Built-up as the World Champions (India having won the ICC World Cup just five months ago) versus the World Twenty20 Champions (England taking that honour last year), it had, like the Test series, all the makings of a classic contest.

While nearly all of the Indian fans (and probably a great many of the England ones as well) had brought tickets in anticipation of seeing some of crickets superstars, they have been forced to watch what is effectively a second string Indian team. Used to seeing Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opening the batting, they have had to be content with Parthiv Patel and Ajinkya Rahane. While, in the bowling department, the ever loyal Praveen Kumar has once again had to lead the charge. While this may not have quite been the promised billing, the Indian supporters have still had plenty to cheer about. The new opening partnership has largely been successful and their middle order has really taken the attack to England’s bowlers. MS Dhoni, a captain who has actually shown immense character throughout what has been a very difficult series for him and his team, has played some quality innings. As has Suresh Raina. What a difference a shortened game can make. All things considered though, England have been just that little bit stronger. With Alastair Cook continuing to prove his critics wrong and Ravi Bopara finally stepping up to the mark in Sunday’s match, England have always managed to (just) get the runs needed. This, of course, has been greatly aided by the quality of England’s bowling. Jade Dernbach has proven to be a real revelation and the potency of his bowling at the death was highlighted by his absence on Sunday, whereby India scored over a hundred runs off the last ten overs. Despite a series win then, England still have a very long way to go. With the absence of Eoin Morgan for the upcoming series in India they will need a ‘powerful finisher’. While Bopara played well for his 96 can he do so consistently? Ben Stokes, meanwhile, (one of England’s young hopefuls), still has a lot to do having had a string of low scores. With the news that Stuart Broad will also miss that series (it seems the injury bug is catching), England’s bowling attack will also need some careful consideration.

Fast forward a couple of months then, and the line-ups of both teams may look very different once again. Lets hope it proves a more thrilling contest.