Who to watch out for in the Ashes

It seems very strange to be writing a preview to another Ashes series, with the events of the summer still so fresh in mind. Nevertheless, we are already two games in to England’s campaign Down Under, so we must start looking ahead to the five Test series that begins on 21 November.

Though this year we have lost something of the normal long term build up to an Ashes series – normally, our appetite for Ashes cricket is given a full two years to reinvigorate itself, but in this case, we have had barely two months – what we have gained is a short term Ashes fix, a salivating prospect for most cricket fans.

For this return series will not only provide us with the unique chance to assess both teams home and away, but will also allow for the battles that began to simmer last summer to reach boiling point over the next couple of months. Let’s first look at a few of the key players, the men who are already proven Ashes performers, who will once again be crucial in deciding the fate of their team this time around:

Bell plays a shot at Trent Bridge during the last Ashes series. Photo: Nic Redhead (via Flickr)

Ian Bell – 2013 Ashes: 562 runs @ 62.44

Coming into the start of last summer’s Ashes, some were questioning this man’s right to a place in the team. For, though Bell was already a proven Test Match performer, he had not quite shaken the tag of being an attractive batsman who avoided tough situations. By the end of the summer, however, he had written himself into Ashes folklore, having scored three brilliant hundreds when England needed a player to step up.

He was the difference between the two sides last summer, and if he emulates that performance this winter, he will earn the right to be viewed as a true Ashes legend; what a turnaround it would be from those tentative beginnings in 2005, back when he was cannon-fodder for McGrath and Warne.

Alastair Cook – 2013 Ashes: 277 runs @ 27.7

Most are in agreement that, if England are to win the Ashes Down Under, we need much-improved performance from captain Cook. Let’s not forget that, in the 10/11 series, which England won 3-1, Cook scored a phenomenal 766 runs, at a Bradman-esque average of 127.66.

We know that the recipe for success in Australia is to make huge first innings totals and then squeeze the opposition, and for this to happen, we cannot see a repeat of England’s top order frailties from last summer. Cook will have to lead from the front.

Pietersen in action at Trent Bridge. Photo: Nic Redhead (via Flickr)

Kevin Pietersen – 2013 Ashes: 388 runs @ 38.80

Still the most feared player in the England batting line-up, Pietersen will want to end his outstanding Ashes career on a high. A veteran of five Ashes series, Pietersen has played memorable innings against the Aussies, not least his electric second innings 62 at the Oval last summer which so nearly granted England an unlikely victory.

The first Test at Brisbane will be his hundredth, and it would be so fitting if he could mark it with a KP classic – something like his memorable 158 in the Oval Test of the 2005 series, or the double hundred he scored at Adelaide in 06/07.

James Anderson – 2013 Ashes: 22 wickets @ 29.95

Another hero of the past two England Ashes victories, Anderson remains the undisputed leader of England’s attack. The highlight of his summer was undoubtedly putting in a superb performance at Trent Bridge, where, on a flat, dead wicket, he utilised his exceptional skills with the old ball to run through the Aussie batting, finishing with 10 wickets in the match and giving England a 1-0 lead.

That said, like Cook, Anderson will have to replicate his stellar performance in the 10/11 Ashes, in which he took 26 wickets on the same tracks that England’s batsmen made hay on, if England are to win this winter.

Graeme Swann – 2013 Ashes: 26 wickets @ 29.03

Unquestionably the finest English off-spinner since Jim Laker, Swann, as usual, gave the Australian left-handers a nightmare last summer. Though the Australians will try to negate his effect by preparing non-turning pitches, Swann has a huge part to play this winter, even if it be a more holding role à la the 10/11 series.

In England’s case, there are several more players that could, and should, be mentioned here – Trott, Prior, Broad to name a few – but only two of this current Australian side have performed consistently enough in Ashes cricket to warrant a mention in this section:

Clarke plays a shot at Old Trafford. Photo: Sum of Marc (via Flickr)

Michael Clarke – 2013 Ashes: 381 runs @ 47.62

Clarke is the only world-class batsman in the Australian line up; put simply, if they are to win this winter, he will need to score a lot of runs. He is also the only member of the current Australian side to have taken part in a series victory over England, having played in the 06/07 retribution whitewash, and will have to draw on all his experience to galvanize this browbeaten squad into a series-winning unit.

Ryan Harris – 2013 Ashes: 24 wickets @ 19.58

Harris – the man who, alongside Ian Bell, enhanced his own reputation the most last summer – is now regarded as one of the premier fast bowlers n the world. His Test record was always outstanding – averaging in the low twenties – but before the 2013 Ashes he had struggled to string together more than a couple of Tests before breaking down.

For this reason, Australia will be praying that Harris’s body holds together for the majority of the approaching five match series; if it does, his swing and pace will once again provide a tricky challenge for England’s batsmen.

Ben Pullan, Sports Team

Root and Swann fire England to series victory at Headingley

England’s two match Test series with New Zealand moved to Headingley with the home side having taking a 1-0 lead at Lords. However, it was a game in which the Black Caps had competed with England, right up until the last day.  At Headingley, England were looking to assert their dominance, being the last Test Match before ten consecutive matches against Australia, with back-to-back Ashes Series just around the corner.

Joe Root, who has made a big impression during this Test Series. Photo credits to thesun.co.uk

The first day did not see a ball bowled, as the Leeds weather struck to delay the start. The following day saw the weather improve, and Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to bat first knowing that some of his top order were in need of runs.

England made a shaky start as Nick Compton once again went cheaply, before Cook and Jonathan Trott fell in quick succession to leave England 67 for 3.

However, Joe Root, England’s hero from Lords, set about compiling his maiden Test Match Century, made even more special by the fact that it was on his home ground in Leeds. The young Yorkshireman has impressed everyone so far this series, which has seen calls for him to be moved up to open the batting, thus sacrificing the out of form and under pressure Compton.

Root, who thoroughly deserved his man of the series award, was well supported by Ian Bell, who made 30, and Johnny Bairstow who put together another classy 50, also on his home ground. Another bright spot was Matt Prior’s return to form with the bat, as he made a blistering 39 off of just 50 balls. England were eventually all out for 354, a competitive total on a traditionally low scoring Headingley pitch.

New Zealand went out to bat on the back of being bowled out for just 68 in the second innings at Lords, and they once again folded cheaply as England bowlers got amongst the wickets. Having got to 55 for the loss of no wicket, the Kiwi’s collapsed, losing 9 wickets for just 67 runs.

Their fortunes were only slightly improved by a last wicket partnership of 52 between Neil Wagner and Trent Boult. The New Zealanders have consistently struggled with the bat over the previous year, and Peter Fulton top scored with just 28. Graeme Swann was the pick of the English bowlers, picking up four wickets, whilst the rest were shared around evenly.

Cook decided, somewhat surprisingly with more rain promised, to not enforce the follow-on. However, his decision was more than justified as he made a brisk 130 off of just 190 balls, to completely take the game away from New Zealand.

Unfortunately, Compton failed once again, making a very nervous looking 7. The Somerset man was really under pressure with Root breathing down his neck for that position next to Cook at the top of the order.  Andy Flower has even said publicly that Compton needs runs at county level if he is to play against Australia.

Trott also made a steady 76 in the Second innings, underlining his importance at number 3. However, he could be criticised with the run-rate at which he scored, with England really looking to turn the screw. England eventually declared on 287 for 5, leaving New Zealand a highly improbable 468 to win.

The only thing that could have saved New Zealand was the weather, with more rain promised for the final day. However, their batting looked as dangerously fragile as ever. Ross Taylor’s 70 was the only innings of note as a number of Kiwi batsmen failed to cope with the seam of Steven Finn, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, coupled with Swann’s spin.

Despite a tense fifth day, where England could have been scuppered by the weather, the Black Caps did eventually fold, thus justifying Cook’s decision not to enforce the follow-on. Swann picked up six second innings wickets, leaving him with 10 for the match, the best figures by an English spinner at Headingley since Derek Underwood in 1972. New Zealand were all out for 220, giving England a victory by 247 runs and a 2-0 series result.

This series against New Zealand has banished some of the demons from the 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture over the winter. However, England know that their greatest test is still to come with the Ashes this summer. The bowlers all look in good form with Broad and Anderson particularly impressing at Lords, whilst Swann did the damage at Headingley.

In terms of batting, Root has been the stand-out performer, having established himself as a definite star of the future. However, the form of Compton is a serious concern for the England management; he still doesn’t look comfortable at a Test match level and seriously needs runs for Somerset before July. The picture is mainly bright for the Ashes, but the selectors will know that they have some tough decisions ahead of them.

Alex Manning

Kiwis make England work hard for victory at Lords

Captain Alastair Cook hailed the performance Stuart Broad (pictured) during the Test. Photo credits to telegraph.co.uk

The first Test of an English summer is always an important week in the calendar of any cricket fan, especially when the prospect of an Ashes series is just around the corner. Before that, England have a tricky two-test match series with New Zealand to negotiate. In the reverse fixture over the winter, the black caps exceeded expectations by achieving a 0-0 draw. However, at home, England were expected to comfortably beat a side still ranked eighth in the world.

On what appeared to be a traditionally flat Lords wicket, Alastair Cook would have been looking for his batsmen to set an imposing total after he won the toss and elected to bat. However, this did not materialise as the first day proved turgid. The pitch played a lot slower than initially expected and England’s batsmen only reached 160 for 4, at a run-rate of less than 2 an over. A number of batsmen got themselves in but none could even pass 50 on a disappointing opening day for the home side.

Day two saw England’s hopes firmly rested on the shoulders of two young Yorkshiremen, Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow. In the morning the pair made steady, if slow progress. However, the impressive Southee managed to remove Root for 40, thus opening up an end for New Zealand to attack. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as England were bowled out for 232, with Bairstow eventually top scoring with just 41.

New Zealand’s reply got off to a slow start as they lost both of their openers early. These wickets saw Jimmy Anderson become one of the great English bowlers, by becoming only the fourth Englishman to pass 300 Test match wickets; he is now only 84 behind Ian Botham’s all-time record. However, the highly rated Kayne Williamson and ex-captain Ross Taylor put a partnership of 93 together, as both passed 50. New Zealand looked well set to build a first innings lead at 100 for 2, but they began to lose wickets and the tail was quickly rolled over as the Kiwi’s were bowled out for 207, a deficit of 25.

As England began their second innings, the general feeling was that they would improve on their first innings total. Once again Cook and Compton got England off to a decent enough start, before falling in quick succession to leave the score at 36 for 2. With Ian Bell taken ill with flu, Joe Root was promoted to number 4. This did not faze the young man in the slightest as he put together a beautifully crafted 71, well supported by the ever-solid Trott.

Root, only 22, has been tipped as a future England star, and this performance certainly saw his stock rise, on a pitch that was still proving helpful for bowlers. However, once again, wickets fell in a flurry and having been 159 for 2, England finished day 3 on 180 for 6, a lead of 205. Tim Southee was New Zealand’s main protagonist once more, his late burst leaving the match finely balanced going into the penultimate day.

The fourth and ultimately final day proved compelling viewing. Southee and Williamson quickly wrapped up the English tail in the morning, as England were all out for 213 – Southee finishing with 10 wickets for the match, earning himself a place on the Lords honours board. This left New Zealand requiring 239 for victory; although not immediately imposing, it would have been the highest score of the match and the third highest fourth innings run chase at Lords.

England felt confident of victory, knowing that Graeme Swann would prove a handful on a turning pitch. However, he was not required, as James Anderson and Stuart Broad set about ripping the heart out of the New Zealand run chase. Broad produced a superb spell of fast bowling as he took 7 for 44 in just 11 overs. A fit and firing Broad is excellent news for England’s bid to retain Ashes, and he looked back to his best. One ball in particular stood out as it seamed up the Lords slope, sending Rutherford’s off-stump cartwheeling. New Zealand eventually limped to 68 all out, losing by 170 runs.

A victory in the first Test match of the Summer is exactly what was required of England. However, it was harder work than the margin of victory suggests. New Zealand were right in the game up until their second innings collapse and were even in the driving seat going into the fourth day. They will take heart from the performance of their impressive young seam attack, led by the ever-improving Southee.

England will need to improve on their first innings batting performance, as the Series moves to Headingly on Friday. Nonetheless, a victory at Lords in the first Test has started the process of momentum building that is required before the Ashes kicks off on the July 10 at Trent Bridge.

Alex Manning

Frustrated England thwarted by the weather in Wellington

Kevin Pietersen in action, pictured at Lord’s in 2011. Photo credits to Gareth Williams

A bright and breezy Wellington morning greeted England’s cricketers as they arrived for the start of the Second Test Match of their tour of New Zealand. Brendon McCullum elected to bowl first on a pitch which appeared to hold something for both batsmen and bowlers. England had looked shaky during their First Innings in Dunedin and New Zealand were keen to capitalise on any early nerves that the tourists might have.

They may have been worried as well, after Alastair Cook had played an uncharacteristically poor shot to be dismissed for 17 and was caught at mid-on. However, the tide quickly turned in England’s favour as Trott and Compton began laying a superb foundation for a big score.

Nick Compton, full of confidence from his maiden hundred in the First Test, looked assured as he put together his second consecutive ton off of 230 balls. The Somerset man has impressed so far on this tour, and this innings all but confirmed his place for this summer’s Ashes series.

Trott was a willing supporter to Compton, also registering his first hundred of the year late on the second day. The only criticism of the two is the relatively slow strike rate at which they scored, especially as rain had been forecast for days four and five. However, this shouldn’t overshadow some quality top order batting.

Another positive for England was Kevin Pietersen’s 79. England’s brilliant but sometimes erratic number four was not at his fluid best but scrapped hard for his runs and showed signs that he may not be far off a return to top form, just in time for an Ashes summer. Matt Prior also underlined his status as the world’s premier wicketkeeper batsmen with an exciting 82, helping to take England to 465 all out.

New Zealand’s innings started slowly as they reached 48 for the loss of a single wicket. However, wickets then began to fall at fairly regular intervals for the hosts as they slumped to 89 for 5. This was down to a mixture of poor shots and good bowling, particularly from Broad who went onto collect 6 wickets.

It is undeniable that Broad is at his best when he looks to pitch the ball up and he achieved this on a pitch which offered something for the seamers.  The injury to his heel, which had at one point threatened his career, looks to have cleared up for the time being – this can only be good news for England.

‘Kiwi’ skipper McCullum and keeper Watling battled back, both scoring half centuries as England began to toil a little. Panesar and Finn in particular failed to impress. Panesar bowled with slightly too much pace and a lack of flight and guile, whilst Finn failed to find any real rhythm, bowling a wayward line throughout. However, once this partnership was broken, Broad and co. set about mopping up the tail. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 254, 211 runs behind England.

With rain promised for the final two days, England decided to enforce the follow on in order to try and force a result. However, due to the weather, only 35 overs were possible on day four. With New Zealand having reached 162 for 2, it looked like the game, much like in the First Test, would peter out into a draw.

The result was assured as the fifth day in Wellington came and went without a ball being bowled, a disappointing end to a Test match in which England played well and had been on top for the majority, but were ultimately unable to force home their advantage at crucial moments.

The final test will begin on Thursday (21.30 GMT) in Auckland. With the series still at 0-0, all is to play for and England will be confident of exerting their superiority over New Zealand. The ‘Kiwis’ have proved a tough nut to crack at times and have surprised a few people with their performances so far this series. However, if England perform to expectations and the weather holds, I fully expect them to wrap up a series victory in the final Test, thus getting an exciting year off to the perfect start.

Alex Manning

England produce scrappy draw against NZ in Dunedin

Photo credits to Ramograph

England have recently gained a reputation as slow starters in Test series away from home. Coming into this series with New Zealand, England had been bowled out for less than 200 in the first innings of the first Test in their last three Series away from home: against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.

Nevertheless, after the first day in Dunedin was lost to rain, it still came as a shock when Alastair Cook’s men collapsed to a measly 167 before tea on the second day. This against a New Zealand side placed above only Bangladesh in the ICC’s Test Rankings.

Theories abounded as to the reasons behind such an abject batting performance; the New Zealand attack possessed no great threat and the pitch had appeared relatively placid. The conclusion was that England had entered the game undercooked, having had only one warm-up game in which to prepare. There was certainly evidence for this as English batsmen threw their wickets away through poor shot selection and execution.

The pitch certainly looked docile as the New Zealand batsmen appeared untroubled, setting about compiling a large first innings lead. Debutant Hamish Rutherford stood out in particular – the 23 year-old compiled a near-faultless 171 off of just 217 balls. Ably supported by his opening partner Peter Fulton, the two put on 158 for the first wicket.

England’s bowlers followed their batsmen’s lead by being seemingly under-prepared for the strains of Test match cricket. James Anderson proved the stand out, capturing four wickets. Brendon McCullum just had time to add an entertaining 74 before New Zealand finally declared on 460/9 on the fourth morning, a lead of 293.

As England began their second innings, it was assumed impossible for them to perform worse than they had in the first. England have also had a knack of being able to dig themselves out of some tough situations in the past, as they did in the first Test of the 2010 Ashes series in Australia. On the other hand, in order to save the game they were going to have to bat for the best part of two days. This challenge was hindered further by the fact that Nick Compton walked to the wicket effectively batting for his position in the side.

Talk in the build-up to the game focused on the performances of Joe Root and his potential to usurp Compton at the top of the order, this after the Somerset man had produced a set of steady but ultimately uninspiring performances in India. However, Compton’s temperament proved magnificent as he scored his maiden Test match hundred, thus securing his place for the medium term.

As has become almost expected of him, England’s ‘Captain reliable’ supported him superbly. Alastair Cook scored his 24^th hundred in Test matches, though this was rather over-shadowed by Compton’s achievements. By the time Cook fell late on day four for 116 the game looked to be petering out for a draw.

Day five at Dunedin was one for the cricketing purists. Compton failed to build on his overnight total, going early on for 117. However, Jonathan Trott and night-watchman Steven Finn made the game safe for England. The latter crafted a dogged 56 off of 203 balls, his first Test and First-Class fifty.

The only sour point was another failure for Kevin Pietersen, who will be looking to improve his form ahead of the Ashes in the summer. There was an hour left of scheduled play when the two Captains eventually shook hands and called it a draw as England reached 421/6.

The Second Test starts on Wednesday night (21.30 GMT) in Wellington. England remain favourites to win the series despite their poor performance in the First innings – they should be lifted by their ability to stave off defeat, whilst New Zealand may feel deflated by their inability to kill off a game they dominated for long periods. However, England must remain vigilant and ensure that there is no repeat performance of their First innings collapse.

Alex Manning

 

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England get off to strong start in New Zealand

Photo credits to Ramograph

England head into the Test series against New Zealand with plenty of confidence having beaten the hosts 2-1 in both the Twenty20 and One Day International legs of the tour.

After a successful tour of India, England headed to New Zealand in early February hoping to continue their great form ahead of back-to-back Ashes later this year.

The visit began with a three-match Twenty20 series, with Stuart Broad’s men getting off to the perfect start by racking up their highest innings score of 214. Openers Lumb and Hales got their side off to a solid start before the middle order set about destroying the Kiwi bowlers. Luke Wright smashed four sixes during his quick fire 42 before Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow combined for an 80 run partnership off just 50 balls.

Once they were dismissed, it was left to Jos Buttler to finish the innings off with an unbeaten 32, completing one of the finest displays of power hitting in Twenty20 history. Despite an aggressive start from Martin Guptill and three sixes from the inexperienced Colin Munro, the score always look beyond New Zealand’s reach with captain Broad cashing in with four wickets.

England decided to field first in the second match at Hamilton and Broad was soon made to regret his decision – the star of the innings was New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, who smashed 74 off just 38 deliveries.

England never got going in response with a half-century from Buttler, the only bright spot of a disappointing 55-run defeat. James Franklin collected 4 for 15 and Mitchell McClenaghan two wickets as the teams headed to Wellington with the series up for grabs.

For the third time in as many innings, Guptill got his side off to a great start with 59 but Dernbach and Broad soon used their variations to good effect to slow down the scoring rate and pick up three wickets apiece. After James Tredwell dismissed danger man McCullum for 26, the innings subsided dramatically with New Zealand only scraping up to 139 for 8.

Although it was a mediocre effort from the hosts, there was still a job to be done by the England batsmen. Coach Ashley Giles need not to have worried however as Lumb and Hales produced a wonderful partnership to lead their team home within 13 overs.

The Kiwi bowlers had no answer to a wonderful display of placement and power with Hales collecting 13 boundaries in his 80 not out and Lumb hitting five sumptuous maximums in his half century.

The first 50-over match was a tight contest from start to finish. Despite losing captain Alastair Cook early on, England built a strong platform through half centuries from Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root. A late flurry from youngsters Buttler and Woakes took them up to 258 but the New Zealand batsmen felt it was well within their reach.

Their response was led by Kane Williamson’s calm 74 before it was left to McCullum to take his side to victory with a perfectly timed 69. After missing his team’s last ODI series due to a dispute with management, Ross Taylor bounced back with a fine century that set the tone for the rest of the innings; he and McCullum combined for a 100 run partnership that took less than 10 overs to compile.

The wicket keeper was again at his flowing best with nine fours and four sixes as he scored 74 at a strike rate of over 200. James Anderson was the only England bowler to come out with any credit as his five-for confirmed him as the leading international wicket taker for his country.

What looked like a tough target for England turned into a breeze with captain Cook getting the ball rolling with a composed 78. With Bell also back in pavilion, Trott and Root joined forces with 120 needed in 20 overs. With Trott steadily accumulating and Root finding the gaps with regularity, New Zealand had no answer as the visitors romped home with 14 balls to spare.

Trott ended with 65 not out whilst Root was unbeaten on 79 from just 56 balls, confirming him as one of the brightest talents currently in international cricket. The result set up a ‘winner takes all’ clash at Auckland which would give one team the momentum heading into the crucial Test series.

New Zealand got off to poor start at Eden Park as Steven Finn and Anderson ripped through the top order to leave them tottering on 11 for 3. A slight recovery followed but only McCullum showed any attacking intent in another sublime innings. A selection of resolute defence and excellent counter attacking saw him reach 79 before being brilliantly caught on the boundary going for another six.

The fast bowlers quickly dismissed the tail as the Kiwis collapsed to 185 all out with Finn the main beneficiary as he collected 3 for 27. Despite some good bowling from Tim Southee and Andrew Ellis, the target never looked big enough to trouble England who completed a series victory in comfortable fashion with 12 overs to spare.

New Zealand seem to be suffering from internal wrangling and inconsistent performances with only McCullum offering any hope going to the longer form of the game. They must now re-build their form and confidence if they are to become a force in world cricket again.

Conversely, England head into the Test matches in March with a huge mental advantage, which will be buoyed even further by the return of star man Kevin Pietersen. This should ensure they start as big favourites to collect another series win and march towards the top of the Test and ODI rankings.

Simon Dewhurst

New coach Giles takes positives from India defeat

Photo credits to Ramograph

England headed to India after Christmas fresh from their first Test series win there for nearly 30 years. However, with a new coach in place, a host of new faces in the squad and India’s proven one-day pedigree in home conditions, English fans realised that this would be a tough assignment.

Despite losing two warm-up matches, it was England who drew first blood in Rajkot. With Andy Flower deciding to preserve himself for the longer form of the game, this was Ashley Giles’ first competitive game in charge and he would have been pleased with what he saw. Openers Alastair Cook and Ian Bell set a strong platform with a 158 partnership before the attacking flair of the middle order saw the visitors post 325 for 4. Despite half centuries from Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, England held on for a nine run victory. James Tredwell was the bowling star with 4 for 44 from his 10 overs.

The second match was a different story as India batted first and racked up a big total, mainly due to the late power hitting from MS Dhoni and Ravi Jadeja. England never got going in reply and crumbled to 158 all out as the Indian spinners got their rewards for bowling in good areas.

With the series evenly poised, the teams headed to Ranchi knowing how important a win would be. Once again, the hosts started strongly with England’s middle order falling to the flight and guile of Ashwin and Jadeja. The target of 156 set by Cook’s men was never going to pose a challenge for the strong Indian batting line up with Virat Kohli leading his side home with 77 not out.

Requiring a win in Punjab to keep their hopes of a series win alive, England started well with Pietersen and Cook both scoring fluent half-centuries. Joe Root also showed his potential with the bat as he ended the innings in fine style with a quick 57 not out to drag his side up to a respectable score of 257. India started their chase strongly through Rohit Sharma and were carried home to victory by Raina’s wonderful 89 not out.

With series victory in the bag, India took their foot off the pedal in the final match. Raina, the man of the series, gave his team a chance with 83 but Ian Bell responded with a beautifully crafted century to give England a consolatory win.

Victory for India consolidated their position at the top of the ODI rankings but there is no doubt that they remain a team in transition following the retirement of high profile players. As for England, new coach Giles will be proud of their performances considering the weakened side they utilised in the series. It was a big improvement on their last ODI outings in India and it was promising to see youngsters like Joe Root and Joe Buttler getting experience of sub continental conditions. They will now head to New Zealand with high hopes given the hosts’ poor form and the return of many key players – anything less than victory will be disappointment.

Simon Dewhurst

Captain Cook leads England to Indian triumph

Photo credits to Graham Hartland

England have finished a difficult year on a high with a memorable 2-1 series victory against India. After losing the first test, the team led by new captain Alastair Cook bounced back to win in India for the first time since 1985.

With the series pegged at 1-1 after two tests, the teams moved to Kolkata knowing that a victory would put them into a commanding position. After winning the toss once again, MS Dhoni decided to bat and his side got off to a solid start. Gautam Gambhir returned to form with a half-century whilst Sachin Tendulkar looked assured on his way to 76. Along with Yuvraj, the ‘Little Master’ pushed India along to 215-4 with the English bowlers struggling to create any chances.

Only a mistake by the Indian batsmen looked like breaking the partnership and Yuvraj obliged by chipping a ball straight to Cook off Graeme Swann. James Anderson followed this up by dismissing Tendulkar and suddenly the home side were on the ropes. Despite a rear-guard effort from Dhoni, they could only muster 316 which looked below par on a decent pitch. This theory was soon confirmed as England started their innings in a positive fashion.

Compton, Trott and Pietersen all hit fifties but it was Cook who led from the front with one of the greatest innings ever by an Englishman. After eight hours of resolute defence and superb stroke play he finally succumbed for 190 after his first lapse of concentration led to him being run out whilst backing up. Although the Indian spinners managed to clean up the tail fairly quickly, the tourists took a lead of over 200 into the second innings.

India constructed a good opening partnership but when Sehwag was bowled by Swann, it was clear that the pressure was too great for the middle order. A combination of accurate seam and spin bowling saw England take eight wickets for the loss of just 73 runs. Only Ashwin provided any resistance, eventually being left stranded nine short of a century as India forced the tourists to bat again. Chasing just 41 to win, England suffered a wobble as they lost three early wickets, leaving it to Ian Bell to complete the job and give them a slender advantage heading into the final match at Nagpur.

As a response to the events in Kolkata, India made two changes for the final match with Ravi Jadeja making his test debut and Piyush Chawla being welcomed back into the side. England also had a debutant in the form of Joe Root who came in for Samit Patel. After winning the toss, the tourists got off to a poor start when both openers were dismissed by Ishant Sharma early on. Trott and Pietersen joined forces to fight back during an 86 run partnership until Jadeja dismissed both much to his delight.

Next, it was the turn of the other debutant to make his mark on international cricket. Joe Root played an innings full of class and patience that many more experienced players would have been proud of, finally being dismissed for 73. Together with Prior and Swann, he led England to a strong score of 330. This score looked even better when James Anderson ripped through the Indian top order to leave them reeling on 71 for 4.

It was left to young sensation Virat Kohli and Dhoni to battle back on a slow, low pitch. They did this successfully with Kohli going through to a century and his captain only being denied the same milestone by a run out whilst on 99. With time running out in the match, England took a small lead into the second innings. India puffed away but Trott and Bell made sure the trophy came back to England with majestic centuries as the series finished as a dull draw in the Nagpur sunset.

Despite the underwhelming ending, the feat achieved by England to win the series two-one goes down as one of their most famous victories. Going into the series, Cook’s men were the underdogs with pundits expecting the turning pitches and humid conditions to favour the home side. Instead, it was England’s spin duo of Panesar and Swann, ably supported by the ever-reliable Anderson that made the biggest impact. The tourists’ batting and fielding was also superior to their opponents with Trott, Bell and Pietersen all returning to form at crucial moments.

The man of the series though was undoubtedly Cook, who by the end had become the youngest batsmen to pass 7,000 Test runs and England’s highest ever century maker. “In that dressing room, knowing what we had achieved, it was a special place and will live long in my memory,” said Cook after the final match. Coach Andy Flower was equally delighted, stating that he was proud of how his team managed to ‘learn and adapt’ after the defeat in Ahmedabad.

Whilst many have described victory for England as on par with an Ashes win, the Indians now have a number of issues to address following a disappointing winter. They have looked fearful of the English bowlers throughout and struggled to acclimatise to different wickets. There have already been calls for captain Dhoni to step down whilst Sachin Tendulkar is also under pressure to retire after another lean series with the bat. Whilst India have some soul-searching to do, the English side will head home for Christmas happy and will hope to carry their form into 2013 with series against New Zealand and Australia on the horizon.

Simon Dewhurst

India vs. England Test preview

Photo thanks to Gouldy99

After relinquishing their status as the best Test side in the world over the summer, England head to India searching for a morale-boosting series victory under new captain Alastair Cook.

The return of key batsmen Kevin Pietersen will be a major boost for the tourists who will look to repeat their 4-0 triumph over the same opposition in 2011. That will be no easy task with the home side firm favourites because of their settled team and experience of conditions.

The series is likely to be decided by how well the English top order can deal with the Indian spinners. An inability to play slow bowling was a major reason for their downfall against Pakistan last winter but Cook is adamant that his team have improved since that 3-0 defeat. Ahead of the series Cook commented: “We have no problems facing spin. We have done our homework in the last 12 months.” Having carried out his period of ‘reintegration’, Pietersen in particular will be hoping that his poor record against left-arm spin will be banished on this tour.

England’s biggest decision ahead of the first Test in Ahmedabad is who will partner Cook at the top of the innings following Andrew Strauss’ retirement. Experienced Somerset batsmen Nick Compton looks to be the preferred option following his brilliant county season but youngster Joe Root will be pushing him hard. There are also question marks hanging over the bowling attack after Steven Finn sustained a thigh injury in the first warm-up match. Tim Bresnan is the most likely replacement, leaving England heavily reliant on James Anderson and Graeme Swann for wickets.

As for India, they come into the series on the back of a dominant victory over New Zealand. Legendary batsmen Sachin Tendulkar is under pressure following a disappointing run of form but youngsters Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara have shown that they are more than capable of replacing the ‘Little Master’ in years to come. Ravi Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha will be the main spin threats for India whose main weakness could be their inexperienced pace attack.

This series will provide an important indicator of where both teams are currently. With an Ashes series less than a year away, Cook’s team will see it as a stepping stone towards cementing their place as the best England side for a generation. India on the other hand will be looking for revenge for that 2011 whitewash and will be confident based on their excellent home record. It looks set to be a very interesting few weeks with many commentators expecting it to be one of the closest series in recent times. Who will come out on top?

My prediction: 2-1 India

Simon Dewhurst