arvindp
Member
- Joined
- 21 May 2011
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 19
Here is a looking back in memory to trace England's rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings.
1) Jamaica, February 2009: West Indies beat England by an innings and 23 runs
With the fallout of the Kevin Pietersen/Peter Moores debacle still fresh in their minds, Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower were hastily bound together as interim captain and coach of a side in turmoil. By some distance the low point of their union - England were bowled out for 51 in the second innings as the hosts ran riot - it has never been forgotten and both men continue to make reference to the match when overconfidence appears close at hand. In other eras neither Flower nor Strauss might have survived such a loss with their jobs intact, but it did not kill them; it made them stronger.
2) Cardiff, July 2009: England drew with Australia
Despite events in Jamaica, optimism ahead of the 2009 was reasonably strong. Flower and Strauss were confirmed in their roles and had started to shape the side, while Australia were looking vulnerable. Defeat in the series opener in Wales would surely have set in motion an entirely different chain of events but, despite seeing four Australians make hundreds, England battled to a defiant draw. Paul Collingwood's marathon 74 did much of the heavy lifting before last-wicket pair James Anderson and Monty Panesar gritted out the last 11.3 overs.
3) The Oval, August 2009: England beat Australia by 197 runs
With the series locked at 1-1 and only a draw needed to retain the urn, Australia had nudged into the driving seat with a thumping win at Headingley. This was a win-or-bust game and England proved their credentials in the pressure situations with a decisive win. Batting first they posted a moderate 332 only for Stuart Broad to produce what at the time was his most famous spell, taking five for 37 to bundle the tourists out for 160. A debut century for Jonathan Trott followed and England took the glory.
4) Durban, December 2009: England beat South Africa by an innings and 98 runs
A memorable victory in a series where England were frequently on the back foot against a formidable opponent in their own foreboding back yard. Having pulled off another steely draw courtesy on number 11 Graham Onions' fortitude in the first Test, a second-innings rout by Broad and Graeme Swann - who took nine wickets in the match - converted Ian Bell's 140 into a match-winning effort.
5) Melbourne, December 2010: England beat Australia by an innings and 157 runs
In a series adorned with three innings victories and scores of heroic individual efforts, picking a single match is tough but the Boxing Day Test was a startling show of force. Two bowlers who had not started the series - Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan - proved England's strength in depth as a shellshocked Australia surrendered for 98 on day one. The prolific duo of Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook led England to 513 in reply and a crushing defeat was set in motion.
6) Lord's, July 2011: England beat India by 196 runs
With the touring Indians arriving as the ICC's top-ranked side and no shortage of hype surrounding the 2000th Test, this was a game where England's credentials were firmly in the spotlight. Their response was clinical. Pietersen (202no) and Matt Prior (103no) ensured both England innings recovered from wobbly starts, while seam trio Broad, Anderson and Tremlett excelled against the most illustrious batting line-up in the world game.
SOURCE
1) Jamaica, February 2009: West Indies beat England by an innings and 23 runs
With the fallout of the Kevin Pietersen/Peter Moores debacle still fresh in their minds, Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower were hastily bound together as interim captain and coach of a side in turmoil. By some distance the low point of their union - England were bowled out for 51 in the second innings as the hosts ran riot - it has never been forgotten and both men continue to make reference to the match when overconfidence appears close at hand. In other eras neither Flower nor Strauss might have survived such a loss with their jobs intact, but it did not kill them; it made them stronger.
2) Cardiff, July 2009: England drew with Australia
Despite events in Jamaica, optimism ahead of the 2009 was reasonably strong. Flower and Strauss were confirmed in their roles and had started to shape the side, while Australia were looking vulnerable. Defeat in the series opener in Wales would surely have set in motion an entirely different chain of events but, despite seeing four Australians make hundreds, England battled to a defiant draw. Paul Collingwood's marathon 74 did much of the heavy lifting before last-wicket pair James Anderson and Monty Panesar gritted out the last 11.3 overs.
3) The Oval, August 2009: England beat Australia by 197 runs
With the series locked at 1-1 and only a draw needed to retain the urn, Australia had nudged into the driving seat with a thumping win at Headingley. This was a win-or-bust game and England proved their credentials in the pressure situations with a decisive win. Batting first they posted a moderate 332 only for Stuart Broad to produce what at the time was his most famous spell, taking five for 37 to bundle the tourists out for 160. A debut century for Jonathan Trott followed and England took the glory.
4) Durban, December 2009: England beat South Africa by an innings and 98 runs
A memorable victory in a series where England were frequently on the back foot against a formidable opponent in their own foreboding back yard. Having pulled off another steely draw courtesy on number 11 Graham Onions' fortitude in the first Test, a second-innings rout by Broad and Graeme Swann - who took nine wickets in the match - converted Ian Bell's 140 into a match-winning effort.
5) Melbourne, December 2010: England beat Australia by an innings and 157 runs
In a series adorned with three innings victories and scores of heroic individual efforts, picking a single match is tough but the Boxing Day Test was a startling show of force. Two bowlers who had not started the series - Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan - proved England's strength in depth as a shellshocked Australia surrendered for 98 on day one. The prolific duo of Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook led England to 513 in reply and a crushing defeat was set in motion.
6) Lord's, July 2011: England beat India by 196 runs
With the touring Indians arriving as the ICC's top-ranked side and no shortage of hype surrounding the 2000th Test, this was a game where England's credentials were firmly in the spotlight. Their response was clinical. Pietersen (202no) and Matt Prior (103no) ensured both England innings recovered from wobbly starts, while seam trio Broad, Anderson and Tremlett excelled against the most illustrious batting line-up in the world game.
SOURCE
