World's best England white-wash India



Victorious England celebrate



England completed a stunning white wash of previous World number one, India (their first since 1974), and in the process cemented themselves as the best of all the test sides. With rain hampering the fourth and final test, and with India at last showing some fight in response to England’s 591-6 declared in the first innings. 300 all out, forced into following on they looked set to tie the match at 262-3 and save face if nothing else.

But this England side has that something special, the something extra that separates the good from the great, and led by Graham Swann’s 6-106 India were dismissed for 283 giving England the win by an innings and 8 runs. Even the majestic Sachin Tendulkar, who by his own admissions had been poor in his search for a historic 100^th test century, was taken by Tim Bresnan for 91. True, India looked desolate and disconsolate as they strove to prevent what amounts to a hammering, and even the discovery of several young players who will learn from this lesson, but dropping to third in the world will mean that this ‘straw’ is scant consolation.

How have England achieved this remarkable rise from the depths of sixth in the world, to head and shoulders above the rest? The Twenty20 World Cup win was the first ‘turning point’ in that it gave the England players the belief and confidence to take on the best, in the knowledge that they were good enough. The confidence instilled to them by Andy Flower, the man behind the scenes (and seemingly happy to be there), whilst having a massive psychological effect on his team, Andrew Strauss in particular. Graham Gooch as batting coach clearly is having a massive effect. Between these men, the discipline of the players to do exactly as they are told means that the confidence works both ways, allowing them to not only express themselves, but to enjoy it as well.

If form is temporary, then class is permanent. It is true that several players have hit form this summer. First up was Sri Lanka, and then India, but England’s players have slowly been creeping up the world order, Alistair Cook and Jonathan Trott both hitting double centuries this series, the former unlucky not to hit a treble. Backed up ably by Ian Bell and Kevin Pieterson who have been magnificent throughout the summer. Matt Prior, whilst he was always key to England’s hopes with the gloves at wicket keeper, now adds batting prowess to his repertoire, arguably the best number seven around today. England also possesses several key all-rounders, man of the series, Stuart Broad, taking the most wickets in the India series, including a sensational hat-trick, also not forgetting the pace and power of the rising Tim Bresnan. The bowlers, Graham Swann, Steven Finn, Chris Tremlett, not forgetting the talisman that is Jimmy Anderson. The Indians had no answer to his line and length.

To emphasis England’s strength, four of the batsmen are in the top eight in the world, Bell, Cook (joint third), Trott and Pieterson. The bowler’s even better with five in the top eleven, Anderson second,  Swann, Broad, Tremlett and Bresnan. The strength in depth of this England side with Trott, Steven Finn and Tremlett (not even in the side for the final test) to name a few waiting in the wings, and the age of the squad would suggest that they will reign for some time to come.