The Reverse Sweep

Who should bat at six for England?

It may not have quite attained quite the same gravitas as other great questions of our time such as Boris or Ken, Redknapp or Hodgson, or indeed Who shot JR, but with the 1st Test against West Indies just one week away, the identity of England’s number six is the topic of fevered speculation – well it is in our neck of the woods anyway.

So, what better for our latest piece for All Out Cricket then to mull over the likely runners and riders, which include in our view the current Surrey captain (that’ll get the inverse snobs going). Have a read of Who Will Be England’s Number Six? and see whether it will be amongst others Mr Unlucky, Mr Splinter, Mr Orange or Mr Rank-Outsider.

Where next?

Is Ravi Bopara the unluckiest cricketer in the world?

County Cricket 2011 Heroes: Rory Hamilton-Brown

Geoff Boycott's dose of Yorkshire humour on England's 72 all out

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Naughty boy nets - 2012 style

Unlike many of his predecessors as England coach, Andy Flower doesn’t inflict naughty boy nets on his charges. Instead, he has the modern equivalent of punishing poor performers by releasing them to play county cricket in chilly April.

Whilst central contracts have played a significant role in the improvement of England’s fortunes since their introduction and eradicated the ridiculous motorway dash as players scramble to get back to their counties at the conclusion of a Test match, many county cricket fans rightly lament the almost total absence of their England stars from their county line-ups. So, perhaps England’s struggles over the winter have a silver lining after all?

Middlesex and Warwickshire fans will certainly be happy that the winter’s biggest dunces Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell will be turning out for their counties this week against Durham and Lancashire respectively.

Over the forthcoming weeks all of England’s winter squad will feature for their counties ahead of the 1st Test against the West Indies on 17 May – even Kevin Pietersen will have to cut short his stay in India to return for Surrey’s game at Worcester, which starts on 9 May; that’s if he can find his way to New Road as it is an awfully long way from Chelsea.

But is it enough? Whilst one can understand why James Anderson for instance needs a decent rest following his sterling efforts over the winter, it is difficult to understand why Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior (especially if he played solely as a batsman) are being held back longer than Strauss and Bell.

Maybe Flower is indeed punishing the biggest failures over the winter with a longer stint with their county - Eoin Morgan may not be so disappointed to be warming the bench for the Knight Riders after all.

Where next?

It's not jealously KP, it's pure and simple indifference

County Championship XI of the week #2

2nd Test: Sri Lanka vs England - England marks out of 10

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County Championship 2012 Preview: Division 1 - Middlesex

2011 saw Middlesex finally return to the promised land. Can they make a big impression in Division 1 or will they quickly return to whence they came?

Strengths

A good blend of youth and experience was augmented over the winter by good acquisitions in Joe Denly and Olly Rayner. Chris Rogers leads a solid batting line-up, which will be bolstered by Andrew Strauss and Eoin Morgan for parts of the season. Much will depend on how Corey Collymore and Tim Murtagh make the transition to bowling with a Duke to Division 1 batsmen although Steven Finn will be around for some matches too.

Weaknesses

The step-up to Division 1 is quite large and despite their talent, the likes of Sam Robson and Dawid Malan are unproven at this level. The lack of a top-class spinner may also prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Main man

Having lost his place in the England Test side, Eoin Morgan knows he will need to make a big impression in County Cricket after he returns from the IPL. He certainly has the nerve and the talent, but can he improve his hitherto less than impressive first-class record?

Look out for

How Denly gets on after his move from Kent. His career had fallen away after playing for England in 2009 until a revival towards the end of last season, so this is a big opportunity for him.

Prediction

8th - Not quite enough quality to prevent a quick return to Division 2. 

Where next?

Read our Division 1 previews: Durham, Lancashire, Middlesex, Notts, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire and Worcestershire

Division 2 previews: Derbyshire, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northants and Yorkshire

2011 County Cricket Review: including Heroes of the Season, Best and Worst XIs, and a whole host of other nonsense

County Cricket 2011 Heroes: The Tiflex cricket ball

County Championship 2011 Preview - Middlesex 

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Pakistan vs England ODI series - England marks out of 10

Alastair Cook - 10 (323 runs at 80.75, SR 88.98): Who said he couldn't adapt his game for one day internationals? Struck two hundreds in the first two games and was only 20 runs short of a third before letting his opening partner grab the glory in the final match.

Kevin Pietersen - 9.5 (281 runs at 93.66, SR 84.38): Didn't get out of first gear as his engine spluttered in the first two matches, but having not scored a ODI hundred in three and a half years just like London buses two came along together to ensure England cantered to their targets in the final two games.

Jonathan Trott - 2 (38 runs at 12.66, SR 53.52): For once it really was Trott's fault as England's number three followed a poor Test series with an even worse one day rubber. At least Bob Willis will be pleased.

Ravi Bopara - 8 (108 runs at 54.00, SR 80.00): Came into the series under pressure but delivered with a pair of fifties as part of two match defining partnerships with fellow Essex boy Cook. He may have played himself into the Test side for Sri Lanka into the bargain. 

Eoin Morgan - 4 (66 runs at 33.00, SR 77.64): His hangover from the Test series blunted his usual lustre with the bat when in coloured clothing. Two not outs inflated his figures.

Craig Kieswetter - 6 (52 runs at 26.00, SR 64.19): Looked like little boy lost in an alien position for him in the middle order at first and endured a few mishaps behind the stumps. But bounced back with a promising 43 to help England complete the whitewash.

Jos Buttler - 1: After a big build-up thanks to impressive performances with the Lions and a List A average in excess of 70, a finger injury delayed his entry into the fray and when he finally got a chance in the last match he bagged a two ball duck.

Samit Patel - 7 (5 wickets at 33.80, ER 5.12; 34 runs, SR 85.00): Picked up some crucial wickets, wasn't dismissed in either of his innings and even pulled off a smart catch at a crucial moment in the second game. Deserves to get a decent lunch allowance in his shiny new ECB incremental contract.

Stuart Broad - 6 (5 wickets at 23.40, ER 4.50; 1 run): Not quite on the money in the first two games, but looked close to his imperious best in the third match before getting a much needed rest for the final game. 

Tim Bresnan - 4: Returned from injury in the final game of the series and was unsurprisingly a bit rusty with the ball, but did manage to hit the winning runs.

Graeme Swann - 5 (2 wickets at 48, ER 3.84, 13 runs): Tidy enough but as in the Test series lacked his usual spark. Where's the zest gone, Swanny?

James Anderson - 6 (4 wickets at 28.00, ER 4.48): Like Broad, was overshadowed by Finn but plugged away well enough. Probably not in England's strongest ODI XI at present. 

Steve Finn - 10 (13 wickets at 10.30, ER 3.35): Phenomenal. Decided the first match with a devastating new ball burst and was head, shoulders and chest the best bowler on either side throughout. Pakistan's batsmen could neither keep him out or get him away. A berth in the Test side cannot be far away.

Jade Dernbach - 6: Gained some redemption for his ordeal in India by taking a four-for in the final game. Still has a girl's name. 

Danny Briggs - 6: Came in for his debut in the final game, showed promise and bowled tidily to take two for 39. Will get further opportunities.    

Where next?

England are ready to rock'n'roll

Alastair Cook takes a cue from Strauss as his ODI alma mater

Samit Patel is doing alright

Kevin Pietersen opening the batting in ODI is STILL a good idea

India v England ODI series: England marks out of 10

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Pakistan vs England - England series marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss – 4 (150 runs at 25.00): Preached the virtues of patience prior to the series but then immediately undid it all with a reckless shot in Ajmal’s first over. Improved as the series wore on though and didn’t lack fight as epitomised by his 56 in the last Test. Some will point to his record of just one century in 46 innings and none in his last 21 but this team needs its captain more than ever now.

Alastair Cook – 3 (159 runs at 26.50): The tone was set by his ill-judged cut against Hafeez on the first morning of the series. A characteristically watchful 94 seemed to have set England up for a big 1st innings lead in Abu Dhabi. Fell four times to the new ball and mostly to poor shots too.

Jonathan Trott – 4 (161 runs at 26.83): Should have been in his element in conditions that rewarded his roll up your sleeves and grind the opposition into the ground attributes.  Instead he collected an uncharacteristic collection of careless of dismissals culminating in an ugly slog in the final day of the series. Averages just 35 since the start of 2011.  

Kevin Pietersen – 2 (67 runs at 11.16): The batsman that once mastered Warne and switch hit Murali for six in a Test match was left shaken and stirred by the combination of Ajmal and Rehman with a twist of DRS. His approach to counter them had improved markedly by the 3rd Test, but it was a case of too little, too late.

Ian Bell – 1 (51 runs at 8.50): Had averaged 131, 73, 66, 331 and 84 in his five previous Test series but boy wonder quickly became boy blunder as Bell was completely bewitched and bamboozled by Ajmal’s doosra. Hi s tame dismissal to a Gul long hop on the final day of the series suggested he was mentally shot and harked back to the days of the Sherminator.

Eoin Morgan – 1 (82 runs at 13.66): Supposedly in the side because of his ability against spin but was dismissed five times out of six by Ajmal or Rehman. Has just five 50+ scores in 24 Test innings, averages just 30 and looks decidedly out of his depth. Self-belief can only take you so far.

Matt Prior – 7 (150 runs at 37.50; 5 catches, 1 stumping): The only England batsman to average over 30 and his unbeaten 49 off 58 balls on the last day of the series demonstrated that a more positive approach could yield runs. As secure as Fort Knox behind the stumps.

Stuart Broad – 9 (13 wickets at 20.46; 105 runs at 21.00): Confirmed his emergence as one of the world’s best bowlers with a consistently brilliant performance with the ball. Also showed his batsmen the way with a sparkling 50 in Abu Dhabi that ought to have led to victory.

Graeme Swann – 6 (13 wickets at 25.07; 105 runs at 17.50): Deadly against the left-handers who accounted for nearly half of his wickets for the series. Unfortunately, there were only two in Pakistan’s line-up and although he didn’t perform badly, Swann was consistently outbowled by Pakistan’s spinners as well as Panesar.

James Anderson – 7 (9 wickets at 27.66; 54 runs at 10.80): Used the new ball well and demonstrated impressive control and accuracy on pitches and in conditions that are supposedly not his forte. Scored more runs than Bell and with one exception in Abu Dhabi caught well at slip to the spinners.

Monty Panesar – 8 (14 wickets at 21.57): A welcome return. England’s leading wicket taker in the series despite only playing two games. Shouldered a lot of hard work and was rewarded with two successive five-fors and had a better economy rate than Ajmal or Rehman. Guaranteed his spot for Sri Lanka.

Chris Tremlett – 4 (1 Test, no wickets): Didn’t let anyone down despite failing to take a wicket in a Test innings for the first time. Now faces the surgeon’s knife and an uncertain international future.

Where next?

Pakistan series marks out of 10

3rd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

2nd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

England's tale of woe against spin in Asia

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3rd Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss – 5: That his charges refused to give up is a testament to his leadership and no-one dug in more than the captain with his 82 runs in the match covering 226 balls and nearly five and a half hours of blood, sweat and toil.

Alastair Cook – 4: Tried to atone for his feeble 1st innings dismissal by digging in second time around, but fell one run short of fifty to a spectacular diving catch at slip by Younis.

Jonathan Trott – 2: This series has even scrambled Trott’s brains. First, he didn’t review a LBW decision that would have missed leg stump then he succumbed to a completely uncharacteristic slog second time around.

Kevin Pietersen – 4: Looked much better than in the first two matches of this series and was dreadfully unlucky with his 1st innings dismissal - just as he appeared to be in full flow – a decision that would never have been given pre-DRS.

Ian Bell – 1: A shocking end to an awful series as last summer’s Prom King countered his inability to read Ajmal by tamely chipping a Gul long hop to Shafiq at cover point.

Eoin Morgan – 3: At least went down fighting in the 2nd innings but the suspicion that he is as horribly out of his depth at this level as a Premier League footballer on University Challenge persists.

Matt Prior – 7: Ended the series as he started it with a good knock to top the England batting averages for the series. Was his usual consistent and vocal self behind the stumps – although he was positively mute compared to his Pakistani counterpart.

Stuart Broad – 9: Was once again let down by his batsmen after another lethal exhibition of bowling on a flat track in Asia had reduced Pakistan to rubble on day one. A shoo-in for a current World XI.  

Graeme Swann – 5: Outbowled by Monty for the second game in a row and looked a bit out of sorts, but did at least pick up his new bunny Rehman in both innings. Would have been deadly if Pakistan had 11 left-handed batsmen - unfortunately they only have two.

James Anderson – 7: Like Broad was brilliant on the first morning as Pakistan capsized. Looked more self-assured with the bat than several of his top order.

Monty Panesar – 7: A second successive five-for in his second match back sealed his spot on the plane for the tours to Sri Lanka and India later this year. Surely, he won’t blame himself for this defeat too? 

Where next?

3rd Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

2nd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

Resurrection: A drastic cure to England's spin woes in Asia

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Geoff Boycott's dose of Yorkshire humour on England's 72 all out

After the shambles of England’s feeble run chase in the 2nd Test in Abu Dhabi on Saturday it was going to take something pretty special to put the smile back on the faces of England’s devoted supporters.

Well, Geoff Boycott may just have done it  - partially at least.

Writing of England’s defeat in the Telegraph, Boycott played more forceful strokes off the front foot than in his entire first-class cricket career. We particularly enjoyed his take on Eoin Morgan:

“Morgan’s body language is abysmal. When he walks in under pressure he gives me the impression of a lamb to the slaughter. When he comes in, I daren’t go for a pee because I know I will miss him”

We’re not sure if it is the “pee” line that makes us laugh the most or the thought of Geoffrey wetting himself in the unlikely event that Morgan hangs around at the crease for a couple of hours in the 3rd Test.

A dose of gruff Yorkshire sarcasm is just what the doctor ordered after that most sickly of displays by England’s terrified batsmen. We'll leave the final word to Geoffrey...

"England batted as if they had no idea how to score. They succumbed like lemmings jumping off a cliff: uncertain, negative and mesmerised"

______________________________________________________________________

If you've been injured during a sporting event, or during negligent medical treatment afterwards, and you want to talk to some personal injury solicitors in Sheffield, then visit www.irwinmitchell.com

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Where next?

2nd Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

2nd Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

England's tale of woe against spin in Asia

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2nd Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss - 3: Captained the side well again and at least showed some fight in anchoring the run chase. Sadly the skipper's lack of form and his colleagues lack of stomach did for Strauss and for England. Should consider dropping to three in an effort to regain form.

Alastair Cook - 6: Typically resilient in the 1st innings where his diligence and concentration deserved a hundred. His early loss in the run chase proved terminal for England - it was Cook's sixth single figure score in his last nine Test innings.

Jonathan Trott - 6: Poor footwork cost him his wicket in the 1st innings after he and Cook had done all the hard work. Illness meant it is difficult to level any blame on Trott's shoulders for his failure in the run chase when he eventually came in at number seven. Definitely not Trott's fault.

Kevin Pietersen - 1: Whilst those questioning his place are clearly insane his complete lack of form in this series - only 17 runs to date at 4.25 - and his overall record in Asia where he averages just 29.54 from 13 Tests (excluding matches against Bangladesh) are real causes for concern. 

Ian Bell - 2: The best Test batsmen of 2011 has been made to look a novice by Pakistan's spinners. Seems as likely to be able to read Ajmal's doosra as a tourist in London has of spotting a family of Tyrannosaurus Rex's enjoying a vegetarian picnic in Hyde Park. 

Eoin Morgan - 1: Supposedly in the side due to his ability against spin, but there has been little evidence to date on this tour with his dismissal in the 2nd innings being especially grotesque. Impressing in limited overs internationals is one thing, but Test cricket is quite another. Should be replaced by Ravi Bopara for the final Test.

Matt Prior - 4: Sound again behind the stumps and prepared to battle more than most in front of them. Unfortunately, his game is the least suited of England's top seven to facing quality spin bowling on these type of wickets as evidenced by his tendency to play back too often.

Stuart Broad - 8: Didn't deserve to finish on the losing side after another fine exhibition of bowling and a counterattacking 1st innings fifty that seemed to have put his side in control. As an enforcer he was more Barbie than Rambo, but since he dropped the tough guy act he has taken 33 wickets in six Tests at less than 16. 

Graeme Swann - 7: His hold over the Pakistani left handers - against whom he averages five -continued, but in truth he was outbowled by Panesar for the majority of the Test.

James Anderson - 7: As in Dubai, he barely wasted a ball and performed manfully in conditions that are pretty alien to him.

Monty Panesar - 8: After 29 Tests in the wilderness, Monty made a magnificent return and certainly got through some work, bowling 71.3 overs in the match and taking seven for 153. Looks to have more control, variety and a more attacking line than Monty v1.0.

Where next?

2nd Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

All-round Stuart Broad no longer a Charles Hawtrey figure

England's tale of woe against spin in Asia

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England's tale of woe against spin in Asia

During the Dubai Test last week, Sky threw up one of its ridiculous stats, which illustrated how contrary to popular opinion the averages of England’s top seven batsmen against spin are all actually higher than their career averages.

However, Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t be fooled by this and nor were we. Taking the candy on offer from the likes of Xavier Doherty in Australia, Amit Mishra last summer and Paul Harris on frankly any pitch is one thing, but doing it against Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan and now Saeed Ajmal in their own backyards is quite another.

A quick scan of the averages of England’s current top seven away to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka is far more revealing – no we are not including Tests in Bangladesh as facing what is effectively a County 2^nd XI attack tends to inflate the averages of even the worse batsmen. Yes, even Chris Martin.

Surprisingly, it is Matt Prior that leads the way with an average of 46.71 from 6 Tests, followed by Alastair Cook (39.33, 8 Tests, 2 hundreds), Andrew Strauss (37.20, 8 Tests, 3 hundreds), Ian Bell (32.95, 12 Tests, 1 hundred) and bottom of the pile Kevin Pietersen with an average of just 31.54 from 12 Tests with two hundreds. (NB: the Test in Dubai was Trott’s and Morgan’s first away to Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka)

The causes of this serial failure are many with some or all of the following applying to each of England’s batsmen: hard hands, a general lack of foot movement, an inability to take singles and rotate the strike, too much deference and not enough decisiveness, tentativeness and a failure to pick Ajmal.

England’s recent record away to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka is woeful with the defeat in Dubai making it just one win in 18 Tests stretching back to the twin triumphs in Pakistan and Sri Lanka of 2000/01.  It was perhaps hardly surprising therefore that Pakistan’s bowlers took 14 wickets for 184 runs in Dubai on a pretty flat wicket with inconsequential turn and little bounce. This doesn’t bode well for the remainder of this series, nor the ones to Sri Lanka and India later this year.

If any inspiration is required, England should look to four of the leading English batsmen in the subcontinent over the last 30 years. Geoff Boycott leads the way with an average of 58.83 from 8 Tests in India and Pakistan (he never faced Sri Lanka) and is closely followed by David Gower (56.90, 16 Tests), Graeme Thorpe (48.29, 10 Tests) and Paul Collingwood (42.15, 12 Tests).

Three of the four were defined by their grit, bravery and obdurateness, which should be attributes most of England’s batsmen can relate to and hopefully display when they get to the crease later today. Pietersen will hopefully realise that genius as exhibited by Gower can thrive in Asia too. England’s number one ranking depends upon it.

Where next?

Misbah-ul-Haq second only to Bradman

How good are this England cricket team?

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1st Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss - 3: Failed to heed his patience policy with a dismal pull in Ajmal's first over and then amidst some rancour gave a faint legside edge behind second time around. Without a Test hundred in 17 innings and averages just 31 since the start of the tour to South Africa in 2009. Talk of him being under pressure though is ridiculous as evidenced by the fight his sides showed in the field.

Alastair Cook - 1: Perhaps the early introduction of spin in only the sixth over of the match surprised him and forced an injudicious cut off Hafeez's third ball. Caught the legside strangulation bug in the 2nd innings. Just 8 runs from 61 balls in the match is not the returns England has become accustomed to.

Jonathan Trott - 4: Successful audition for the part of golden arm with prize wicket of Younis hid two disappointing dismissals with the bat even if he looked in better touch than any of the other top six batsmen - not that that says much.

Kevin Pietersen - 1: Strangely subdued maybe because he had no crowd to play to. His duck in the 2nd innings was particular ghastly. As one wag noted perhaps KP should have been told the full house had come dressed as blue seats.

Ian Bell - 1: Moved rapidly to the head of the queue for the role of Ajmal's bunny after fatally failing to read the doosra in both innings. 

Eoin Morgan - 3: Instigated a mini-recovery with Prior on the first morning and ably demonstrated his ability against spin before missing an attempted slog sweep to fall leg before. Undone by Rehman's arm ball in the 2nd innings.

Matt Prior - 7: Played an unusually cautious knock - he didn't score his first boundary until his 85th ball and brought up his seventh 50+ plus score in his last 11 innings before falling cheaply second time round. Smart diving catch to remove Shafiq.

Stuart Broad - 7: Brought England back into game with wickets of Taufeeq and Azhar, and bowled to a consistently high standard throughout. Unlike Lord's in 2010, there were no heroics with the bat this time around. 

Graeme Swann - 7: Helped bring some respectability to England's first innings and his 39 second time around meant he was just two runs short of being England's highest run maker in the match. Stuck to his task well with the ball and was eventually rewarded with four wickets. Didn't get much turn and found Pakistan's batsmen less willing accomplices than Ajmal found England's.

Chris Tremlett - 5: Failed to take a wicket in a Test innings for the first time but he will bowl worse than he did here and take three or four wickets. Didn't give much away but the pitch nullified his usual bounce and menace.

James Anderson - 7: Barely wasted a ball and scored more runs than Cook, Bell and Pietersen put together. For once not needed as nightwatchman - England really were that bad. 

Where next?

1st Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

How good are this England cricket team?

England will need to be bold to see off Pakistan

2009: England vs Pakistan - England series marks out of 10

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England will need to be bold to see off Pakistan

A lot has happened since England last played a Test match. Regimes have fallen, cricketers have been incarcerated, David Warner and Vernon Philander have taken to Test cricket like ducks to water and man has finally landed on the moon.

Ok we made the last one up, but it has been a long time – 148 days to be precise – since England wrapped up a 4-0 series against India at The Oval. It was a fitting end to a perfect year that saw England replace the vanquished Indians at the top of the Test rankings and win six out of its eight (the other two being rain affected draws) Tests – four by an innings.

2012 is likely to be both busier – with 15 Tests in all – and tougher given that England face tough assignments in Sri Lanka and India in the sub-continental conditions that have proved to be their achilles heel in the recent past. But first up is an intriguing clash with a rejuvenated Pakistan in similar conditions in the UAE.

One school of thought is that England should stick to the six specialist batsmen, three seamer and one spinner policy that has served them so well in their climb to the top of the pile. But will this lead to success on the flat, slow and entirely different conditions that await them in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and India?

We think not and believe that England should be bold rather than defensive and trust that Matt Prior is a more than competent enough batsman at six on pitches that will strongly favour the batsmen.

True, it would be better if Tim Bresnan was fit to add ballast at number seven, but Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann both know which end of the bat to hold and in benign conditions should be equipped to perform well enough at seven and eight if they apply themselves.

In any case, if England are to take 20 wickets on pitches where there has been only one positive result (four draws out of five so far) since Pakistan made the UAE its temporary home then Monty Panesar, in form after an eight-wicket haul in the warm-up last week, simply has to be picked alongside Swann and three seamers – Broad, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett in our view with Eoin Morgan the batsman to miss out.

If England do decide to be positive we would expect them to have enough to take 20 wickets in at least one of the three Tests to win the series, but it will be far from easy not just due to the alien conditions but also because Misbah-ul-Haq has made Pakistan a resilient side that will be extremely tough to beat.

Whatever the outcome the return of the number one Test side after such a long sabbatical certainly whets the appetite. 

Where next?

See THAT catch by Monty Panesar again and again and...

Cricket memories of 2011: England trounce India to reach number one

Responsibility and Misbah-ul-Haq

Cricket memories of 2011: Pakistan rise from the abyss 

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Who should England pick to face Pakistan?

It's been a long time since England played a Test match - 22nd August to be precise when they completed a resounding 4-0 victory over India at The Oval. 

Since then every other Test playing country - even regrettably Zimbabwe - have been in action whilst the likes of Andrew Strauss have taken to their sofas, inserted their pipes and caught up with the first series of Danish sensation Forbrydelsen (that's The Killing to you and us) on BBC 4. 

England's next assignment as they look to cement their position as the number one ranked side is in the unlikely surroundings of the United Arab Emirates where a three Test series with a rapidly improving Pakistan starts on January 17th in Dubai. 

Whilst there is a whole host of mince pies, mulled wine and other festive delights to negotiate before then, the encounter with Team Misbah will come closer into view with the announcement of the touring party this Friday. 

The selectors don't have any injuries of any significance to worry about but they will need to factor into their deliberations what make-up will be required for the slow turners that will likely be prepared for the 'home' side and their wily spinner Saeed Ajmal. 

England will have to make serious consideration to foregoing their usual six batsmen policy to play two spinners in each of the three Tests. Either that or they retain a four man attack of either three seamers and one spinner or two seamers and two spinners. The squad they name will need to cover each of these eventualities.

With the six frontline batsmen picking themselves, the discussions will centre on identifying the spare batsman, back-up keeper to Matt Prior, two spinners to accompany Graeme Swann and whether to pick four or five seamers.

The spare batsman will probably be Ravi Bopara, although we'd opt for James Taylor. The keeper will be one of Steven Davies (back-up Test keeper in the last touring party, but who hasn't been seen since), Craig Kieswetter or Jonathan Bairstow (who could double up as the spare batsman) with Davies getting our vote as he is the best keeper of the three. 

The choice of seamers will likely be in order of preference James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and if a fifth quick is required Steve Finn with Graham Onions next to step in. 

The most interesting decision will be in the spin department. Monty Panesar is by some distance the second best spinner in the country and also has experience on his side, but the selectors seem to like Scott Borthwick and it cannot be a coincidence that Samit Patel announced only a few days ago that he was withdrawing from the IPL auction to concentrate on securing a Test spot.

Borthwick is a big spinner of the ball, can bat and has the added bonus of being a leg-spinner. If England play a second spinner instead of a sixth batsman than Patel could slot in at seven behind Prior. But both are probably not quite Test class yet, so Panesar plus Patel seems the best option to us. 

Of course this could have been the tour to blood Adil Rashid, but he has fallen out of favour with the selectors and had an erractic season with Yorkshire last summer, so once again he will have to sit on the sidelines.

Make no doubt, Pakistan will be a tough proposition for England - as they were in 2005 just a few weeks after that famous Ashes triumph - and the selectors will need to ensure that Strauss and Andy Flower have the requisite resources and flexibility in the squad to combat the steely Misbah and his rapidly improving Pakistan side. 

Our 17 man squad: Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Taylor, Prior, Davies, Swann, Panesar, Patel, Bresnan, Broad, Anderson, Tremlett and Finn.

Where next?

Andy Flower and the curse of autobiographies

Spot-fixing: What should the ICC do next?

Is this the greatest England XI of the last 30 years?

England v India: England series marks out of 10

The England cricket team's newest recruit from South Africa

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England v India: England series marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss – 7 (229 runs at 38.16): Looked in decent enough touch but was only able to convert one of his many starts past fifty to extend his wretched run to just one hundred in his last 25 Tests. As captain, he timed his declarations, bowling changes and field placings perfectly and Flower rightly lauded his leadership. Can now put his feet up until the New Year.

Alastair Cook – 7 (348 runs at 58.00): After failing at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, Cook responded with the second longest and sixth highest Test innings by an Englishman showing remarkable levels of concentration and discipline.

Jonathan Trott – 5 (98 runs at 24.50): Ground out a handy 70 when England were under the cosh at Lord’s, but thereafter a couple of rash shots and a nasty shoulder injury curtailed Trott’s participation in the series. His Test average has now fallen below the immortal level of 60 to a still heady 57.79. Will he bat at three or five when he returns?

Kevin Pietersen – 9 (533 runs at 106.60): We predicted that KP’s love of the big occasion would probably see him do well in the series and for once we were proved correct. His double hundred at Lord’s was at first almost Cookesque before reaching its brutal climax. By the time he reached The Oval, KP was back to his arrogant, strutting and dismissive best and punished the woeful Indian attack accordingly.

Ian Bell – 9 (504 runs at 84.00):  Trott’s injury gave Bell the chance to put the past to bed as far as the number three spot went and he did that with aplomb. The hundred at Trent Bridge was magnificent and helped turn the match, whilst the double hundred at The Oval exhibited Bell’s class and elegant stroke making to the hilt. Since coming back into the side at Edgbaston in 2009, Bell has raised his Test average from a touch under 40 to its present 49.28 and he now should surely be considered as currently the best batsman in the world.

Eoin Morgan – 6 (194 runs at 32.33): Clearly has the temperament for Test cricket as his hundred at Edgbaston showed but nagging doubts over his technique to the seamers outside off-stump were there for all to see. Plays the spinners impeccably though so should enjoy the winter Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Ravi Bopara – 5 (51 runs at 51.00): Looked like a nervous boy on his first day at boarding school at Edgbaston but showed glimpses of his talent in a brief cameo at The Oval. It is hard to see how he can secure a permanent slot in the XI and with the likes of James Taylor and Jonathan Bairstow coming up fast on the rails, Bopara’s Test career is in danger of falling into the ‘could of, would of, should of’ category.

Matt Prior – 8 (271 runs at 67.75, 16 catches, 1 stumping): Saved England’s bacon at Lord’s with a brilliant counter-attacking hundred and embellished England’s second innings score at Trent Bridge. Made the occasional mistake behind the stumps but the difference with Dhoni was like night and day as evidenced by his brilliant stumping of Raina at The Oval.

Tim Bresnan – 8 (16 wickets at 16.31, 154 runs at 77): England’s lucky mascot with ten wins from his ten Tests proved a more than adequate replacement for the injured Tremlett. Now has career Test averages of 45 with the bat and 24 with the ball and could well have a secured a permanent spot in the XI for the winter.

Stuart Broad – 9 (25 wickets at 13.84, 182 runs at 60.66): Deservedly named man of the series. His performances at Lord’s and Trent Bridge bordered on the Bothamesque – the partnership with Prior steadied the ship in the second innings at Lord’s, his fifty at Trent Bridge lifted England from the abyss and his hat-trick the next day dramatically changed the course of the match. Bowled a fuller length and was richly rewarded. Unrecognisable from the player that struggled so badly against Sri Lanka.

Graeme Swann – 6 (13 wickets at 40.69, 55 runs at 18.33): Struggled in the first three Tests on pitches that offered little assistance, but bounced back at The Oval with a nine wicket haul to help seal the whitewash. Formed a crucial partnership with Broad in the first innings at Trent Bridge to keep England in the game.

James Anderson – 9 (21 wickets at 25.71, 20 runs at 20.00): Bowled even better than his figures suggest, was often unplayable and made the likes of Tendulkar, Laxman and Sehwag  look like novices at times. Ranks alongside Dale Steyn as the best fast bowler in the world and has a bag of tricks that even accomplished wizards like Merlin and Gandalf would be proud of.

Chris Tremlett – 6 (4 wickets at 31.00): Injury restricted him to just the one Test, but that didn’t stop him impressing at Lord’s where one passage of play of Tremlett bowling to Tendulkar was Test cricket at its absolute gripping best. England’s man of the series against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer now faces a fight to get back into the XI over the winter.

Marks for India to follow tomorrow...

Where next?

England v India: India series marks out of 10

4th Test: The Oval - England marks out of 10

4th Test: The Oval - India marks out of 10

3rd Test: Edgbaston - India marks out of 10

3rd Test: Edgbaston - England marks out of 10

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - India marks out of 10

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - India marks out of 10

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4th Test: The Oval - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss – 6: Had his helmet broken by Sharma and then batted as if stuck in treacle on the second morning to yet again fail to go on after making a start. His golden touch as captain still shows no signs of eluding him though.

Alastair Cook – 5: Left the run plundering to others on this occasion after edging a good ball from Ishant to first slip early on day 2.

Ian Bell – 10: Now ranks alongside Gower and Vaughan as the classiest and most elegant England batsmen of the last 30 years. Batted beautifully to record a richly deserved first Test double hundred and reach a monumental 835 Test runs for the summer. Fantastic catch to snare Mishra when India batted first time.

Kevin Pietersen – 9: Enjoys batting at The Oval and didn’t it show? Now back to his arrogant, dismissive and strutting best. More of a team man now though as his visible joy at the success of others showed.

Eoin Morgan – 2: Succumbed to his obvious weakness to seam outside off-stump once again. Safe for now but may be looking over his shoulder at the likes of Taylor, Bairstow and Bopara.

Ravi Bopara – 6: Much better. The nerves of Edgbaston dissipated as the Essex man compiled a composed and unbeaten 44 to probably seal a spot as the spare batsman over the winter.

Matt Prior – 6: Brilliant stumping of Raina in the first innings was tempered with a couple of dropped catches off Swann. However, the magnitude of his improvement as a keeper is that these errors came as a surprise.

Tim Bresnan – 7: Not as impressive as he was at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston but still picked up three late order wickets first time around and the prize (but fortuitous) wicket of Tendulkar on the final day. England’s lucky mascot with ten wins from his first ten Tests.

Stuart Broad – 8: Highly impressive once again to crown a fantastic series for the T20 skipper. Extracted formidable bounce and movement from a prime batting wicket and caused India’s supposedly stellar top-order batsmen no end of problems.

Graeme Swann – 9: Finally got his chance in the spotlight on a pitch he’d like to take everywhere with him. Spin, turn, bounce and variation – it was all there as he snared a nine wicket match haul.

James Anderson – 8: Swapped roles with Swann to play an unaccustomed support role on this occasion but was as impressive and dangerous as ever, bowling a beauty to remove Laxman in the second innings.   

Where next?

4th Test: The Oval - India marks out of 10

3rd Test: Edgbaston - India marks out of 10

3rd Test: Edgbaston - England marks out of 10

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - India marks out of 10

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - India marks out of 10

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3rd Test: Edgbaston - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss – 7: A first Test fifty of the summer at last, but the skipper will have been disappointed not to have converted it to what would have been his first home Test hundred since Lord’s 2009. Took the bold step to insert India after winning the toss and was richly rewarded by his bowlers. Captain of officially the best Test side in the world – I bet that feels great.

Alastair Cook – 10: Made India pay in spades after missing out at Lord’s and Trent Bridge. Has incredible levels of concentration and now has the sixth highest Test score by an English batsman to his name. The Anti-Sehwag: it may not be pretty to watch but it is certainly relentless and effective.

Ian Bell – 5: A strangely skittish cameo with the bat after his triumph at Trent Bridge even if it still contained some characteristically wonderful strokes. Perhaps he wanted to do well in front of his home crowd too badly?

Kevin Pietersen – 7: Looked in imperious form and back to his absolute best as he raced to fifty before suddenly stuttering and losing his wicket. Maybe it was too easy for him? Still the leading run scorer in the series despite Cook’s momentous innings.

Eoin Morgan – 8: Made India pay for dropping him twice and really knuckled down to complete a workmanlike second Test hundred. Still looks suspect to the seamers outside his off-stump, but luckily for him the winter Tests are in Dubai and Sri Lanka.

Ravi Bopara – 3: Poor old Ravi. Kept from the crease until the score was 596/4 and looked incredibly nervous when he did finally arrive not knowing whether to stick or twist. Didn’t bowl a ball. With Trott set to come back and Taylor waiting in the wings, will he get another opportunity?

Matt Prior – 6: An almost immaculate performance with the gloves once again even if he wasn’t able to embellish another England batting performance on this occasion.

Tim Bresnan – 8: Picked up another five wickets and a second consecutive fifty to raise his Test batting average over 40. Looks a proper Test bowler now and bowled the ball of the match to castle Dravid on the first morning. What happens when Tremlett is fit again? An interesting conundrum for the selectors.

Stuart Broad – 8: Continued his excellent form in the series with match figures of six for 81. Is this really the same player who struggled so badly against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer? A cricketer reborn.

Graeme Swann – 5: Must feel like a bit of a spare part at the moment, but at least the pitch offered him some assistance in the second innings and the wickets of Raina and Mishra to boot. Clearly didn’t enjoy being battered all over Edgbaston by Kumar.

James Anderson – 9: Bowled far better in the first innings than his figures suggested – the working over he gave Tendulkar was sensational and Broad owes him that wicket. Got his reward second time around though with a wonderful opening spell on day four. Now stands shoulder to shoulder with Dale Steyn as the best Test quick in the world.

Where next?

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - India marks out of 10

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - India marks out of 10

The rehabilitation of Stuart Broad

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2nd Test: Trent Bridge - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss - 5: As at Lord's, the skipper got two starts but didn't pass 32. Loose shot in the 2nd innings could have proved costly. His leadership is far more impressive than his batting at the moment and the resilience of his side is a credit to his captaincy.

Alastair Cook - 2: His glorious run had to end sometime and it has certainly come to a crashing halt in this series. Unlucky to be given out in the 1st innings but just seven runs in the match is not what we've come accustomed to.

Jonathan Trott - 3: Two failures with the bat and a dodgy shoulder to boot made this a Test to forget for Trott. His Test batting average has now slipped below the immortal figure of 60.

Kevin Pietersen - 7: Played the support role in the pivotal 162 run partnership with Bell in the 2nd innings. Who said he wasn't a team man? Looks back to his best.

Ian Bell - 9: Forget the run out controversy, Bell's sublime innings finally put paid to questions of whether he can be a top-class Test number three and produce the goods when it really matters. Now one of the best Test batsmen in the world.

Eoin Morgan - 7: Followed up his 1st innings duck with a quickfire 70 to cement England's glorious fightback. Forget the nervous nineties, this was the third time that Morgan has fallen in the scary seventies this summer.

Matt Prior - 7: Immaculate with the gloves and his 60-ball 73 in the 2nd innings showed he is equally adept at embellishing an innings as he is at saving one like he did at Lord's. Winning his contest with Dhoni hands down at the moment.

Tim Bresnan - 9: Seven wickets including a first Test five for and 90 with the bat meant that the Yorkshireman filled the enormous shoes of Tremlett magnificently. Bowled with real menace.

Stuart Broad - 9: A Bothamesque performance from the resurgent Broad. Turned the game not once but twice with his counterattacking 64 and then a hat-trick. Man of the series to date.

Graeme Swann - 5: Crucial partnership with Broad brought England back into the game after Tea on day one. Bowling was disappointing although he was clearly hampered after being hit whilst batting.

James Anderson - 7: Not at his best but still picked up five wickets and formed an impressive pace triumvirate with Broad and Bresnan.

Where next?

2nd Test: Trent Bridge - India marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Lord's - India marks out of 10

The rehabilitation of Stuart Broad

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1st Test: Lord's - England marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss – 6: Scored double the runs he managed in the whole series with Sri Lanka but will be disappointed to have got out to poor shots after getting starts in each innings. Declarations were reasonably attacking even if some of his field placings weren’t but marshalled his troops well.

Alastair Cook – 3: So Cook is human after all. Failures in both innings to bring his remarkable run to a shuddering end. Will hope to bounce back at Trent Bridge.

Jonathan Trott – 6: Looked his usual assured self and a hundred appeared his for the taking before he was surprised by Praveen. Another to get a beauty from Ishant in the morning session on Sunday.

Kevin Pietersen – 9: Wonderful double hundred, which was so workmanlike for its first 150 runs that it could have been carved by Trott or Cook. The final flourish was vintage KP though as he became only the third English batsman – after Hammond and Hutton – to hit three Test double hundreds.

Ian Bell – 6: Looked a million dollars in scoring 45 in the first innings before getting an absolute beauty from Ishant second time around. Stunning catch to remove Laxman on the final morning.

Eoin Morgan – 4: Followed up a first innings duck with a poor shot in the second innings after he and Prior had begun to repair the wreckage caused by Ishant’s inspirational spell. Welcome to Test cricket, Eoin.

Matt Prior – 9: Won his first battle with Dhoni to see who is the best Test keeper-batsman hands down. Looked assured behind the stumps and his batting was sensational – adding much needed momentum in the 1st innings and reviving England second time around. Should probably have been Man of the Match.

Stuart Broad – 9: Bounced back after a wretched summer and first ball duck to more than justify his selection ahead of Bresnan. Bowled fuller and reaped the rewards with seven wickets – let’s hope the Enforcer nonsense can now be put to bed. Looked classy with the bat too in scoring 74 not out in his vital union with Prior.

Graeme Swann – 6: The Lord’s pitch didn’t provide him with much assistance, but Swann bowled tidily and did his job of supporting the seamers with aplomb.

Chris Tremlett – 7: Hostile throughout with his pace and bounce visibly unsettling the Indian batsmen. His duel with Tendulkar either side of lunch on Saturday was Test cricket at its most thrilling.

James Anderson – 8: Disappointing first time around in conditions tailor made for him, but magnificent on the final day with five wickets to confirm his position as one of the top three fast bowlers currently playing Test cricket.

Where next?

1st Test: Lord's - India marks out of 10

The rehabilitation of Stuart Broad

Kevin Pietersen, Wally Hammond, Len Hutton and Test double hundreds

Zaheer Khan: He came, he saw, he conquered....he got injured

Cricket heroes: Henry Blofeld

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England v Sri Lanka: England series marks out of 10

 
Andrew Strauss – 2 (27 runs at 6.75): His first series as the specialist Test captain was an unmitigated disaster with the bat as his problems with left-arm seam and locating his off-stump were exposed by Sri Lanka’s pedestrian attack. Has now been sent to Somerset for a master-class with Marcus Trescothick. As skipper, timed declarations right at Cardiff and The Rose Bowl, but was too unadventurous at Lord’s.

Alastair Cook – 9 (390 runs at 97.50): Couldn’t buy a run last summer but has now completed his transformation into the left-handed Jack Hobbs – albeit less eye-catching than The Master. Now has six consecutive Test innings of 50 (a record he shares for England with Patsy Hendren, Ken Barrington and Ted Dexter) or more and a career average approaching 50. Let’s hope for more of the same against India.

Jonathan Trott – 8 (267 runs at 66.75): Scored a typically efficient (some would say dull) double hundred at Cardiff and then proceeded to get out to loose shots in each of his last three innings. Was he responding to the ridiculous criticism in the media of his relentless style? His career average is now 62.23, which is still the second highest ever after Bradman.

Kevin Pietersen – 6 (162 runs at 40.50): Poor start to the series was revived first through a confidence boosting, hardworking fifty in the second innings at Lord’s and then from a wonderful 85 at the Rose Bowl. Judging by the quality of his straight driving, KP is now back to something like his pre-captaincy best. India have been duly warned.

Ian Bell – 10 (331 runs at 331.00): Is any batsman in the world playing better at the moment? Full of poise and positive intent throughout the series with two contrasting fifties at Lord’s sandwiched by fluent unbeaten tons at Cardiff and the Rose Bowl. Now looks the complete batsman and has all the shots. Full marks - just look at that series average!

Eoin Morgan – 7 (168 runs at 56.00): Slotted in nicely at number six and struck two quick fifties in the final two Tests. A superb fielder and a splendid replacement for Paul Collingwood. A tougher examination of his technique awaits though against India.

Matt Prior – 6 (130 runs at 43.33): Wonderful hundred at Lord’s made Prior worthy of the predictable Gilchrist comparisons that followed. Also made a never-to-be-forgotten contribution to a lucky glazier in the St Johns Wood area of London. Did well enough behind the stumps although his Cristiano Ronaldo emulating full-length dives were still not enough to reach some of the wayward balls bowled by the likes of Broad and Finn.    

Stuart Broad – 3 (8 wickets at 48.75, 57 runs at 19.00): Poor at Cardiff, dreadful at Lord’s and a bit better at the Rose Bowl. Even allowing for recent injuries, a strike rate of a wicket every 15 overs is simply not good enough for a frontline bowler who took the new ball on five out of six occasions. Now has just 15 wickets in his last seven Tests and will be lucky to retain his place once Tim Bresnan is fit again.

Graeme Swann – 7 (12 wickets at 23.58): Tremlett’s willing accomplice in the final day demolition job at Cardiff. Consistent throughout the series and did enough to show just why he is the number one spinner in the world today. Will hope for better weather and more helpful wickets when India arrive in July.

Chris Tremlett – 9 (15 wickets at 23.40): The man mountain was magnificent on the final afternoon in Cardiff and brilliantly hostile in the first innings at his former Hampshire hunting ground. Must be a frightening prospect to face on this form, looks like taking a wicket nearly every ball and could be the weapon of mass destruction England need to topple India. Have Tremlett and Curtly Ambrose ever been seen in the same room? Thought not. Struggled to cope with the slope at Lord’s.

James Anderson – 7 (7 wickets at 29.00): His swing and consistency were missed at Lord’s. Was England’s best bowler in the innings he did bowl at Cardiff and looked dangerous at the Rose Bowl without ever reaching the heights he scaled in the winter. India will find him a different prospect to the bowler they faced in 2007.

Steve Finn – 6 (4 wickets at 34.75): Came in at Lord’s and improved after a wayward start to become the youngest England bowler ever to reach 50 Test wickets. A potent (if at times inaccurate and misfiring) weapon for England to have up their sleeve.

Where next?

Read all our County cricket coverage

Ashes 2010/11: England series marks out of 10

3rd Test, The Rose Bowl: England marks out of 10

Experimental England? Our XIV man T20/ODI squad to face Sri Lanka

2nd Test, Lord's: England marks out of 10

1st Test, Cardiff: England marks out of 10

Chris Tremlett is a weapon of mass destruction

Ian Bell, The Stone Roses and some considerably large numbers

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3rd Test, The Rose Bowl: England marks out of 10

 
Andrew Strauss – 2: Another failure and his tenth dismissal to a left-arm seamer in the last 12 months - Zaheer Khan must be licking his lips in anticipation. Is having difficulty locating his off-stump and an average of 31 in his last 18 Tests is very worrying for the now Test specialist captain. Refreshingly positive declaration on the fourth day.

Alastair Cook – 7: No hundred this time for the run machine, but a sixth consecutive score of over 50 is hardly a failure and is indeed only the fourth time it has been achieved by an Englishman – Hendren, Barrington and Dexter are the others.

Jonathan Trott - 3: Drove loosely at a Lakmal ball delivered from around the wicket. Has a chink in Trott’s impressive armoury finally been found? Bowled three expensive overs to demonstrate that much work is needed before the tag of ‘fifth bowler’ can be applied.

Kevin Pietersen – 8: A happy return to the Rose Bowl. Looked back to his imperious best in what was a delightful innings. Will have been disappointed to have missed out on a hundred, but on this form India should beware.

Ian Bell – 9: Took his series average to 335 with his 14th Test hundred to continue a golden run that stretches all the way back to Durban 2009. He averages 91.46 in his last 15 Tests and must now be considered the best Test number five in the world today.

Eoin Morgan – 7: Another attractive fifty from the adopted Irishman and his running between the wickets and sharp fielding have brought added zest to this England side.

Matt Prior – 5: For the second match in succession Prior sacrificed his wicket as England looked to declare. Thankfully, this time there were no broken windows. Tidy enough behind the stumps despite the 16 byes in the second innings caused by some wayward bowling.

Stuart Broad – 5: Poor with the new ball first time around, but much better as first change in the second innings where he was rewarded with the prize wicket of Mahela Jayawardene. Troubled by a bruised heel on the final day.

Graeme Swann – 6: A quiet match on a pitch that offered little assistance for spinners. Swann will hope for better weather and more spin-friendly surfaces when India come calling in July and August.

Chris Tremlett – 8: England’s weapon of mass destruction caused chaos in the first innings and fully deserved his six wicket haul. However, he was disappointing on the final day where he only bowled nine overs. Presumably he had a niggle.

James Anderson – 7: Bowled well enough on his return without ever reaching the heights he scaled in the winter. Attractive cameo with the bat as nightwatchman. Should now be wrapped up in cotton wool ahead of the India series.

Where next?

Experimental England? Our XIV man T20/ODI squad to face Sri Lanka

2nd Test, Lord's: England marks out of 10

1st Test, Cardiff: England marks out of 10

Chris Tremlett is a weapon of mass destruction

Ian Bell, The Stone Roses and some considerably large numbers

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Experimental England? Our XIV man T20/ODI squad to face Sri Lanka

 
With a fairly underwhelming Test series now finished attention can turn to the limited overs chapter of the trip, which comprises one T20 and five ODI.

As Sri Lanka showed in the World Cup, they are a formidable limited overs unit and even with the distraction of the Sanath Jayasuriya Farewell Tour in the T20 and first ODI, they should give England a real run for their money.

To be frank, the series is an unwelcome sideshow for England with by far the most important date of the summer being the Test series with India that starts on July 21.

As such, we at the Reverse Sweep hope that England rest a number of key players from the series to ensure that they are fit and raring to go to face Duncan Fletcher’s new charges at Lord’s in four and a half weeks time. It won’t happen, but for the purposes of this post we have replaced Geoff Miller as Chief Selector.

So with Miller gagged and bound in the committee room, the likes of Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Prior, Anderson, Tremlett and Swann would all be omitted. They can combine putting their feet up with turning out for their counties, whilst England take the opportunity to look at a number of likely candidates as they build towards the World Cup in 2015.

That leaves ODI captain Cook, T20 captain Broad and Morgan from the XI that played at The Rose Bowl. We would augment this trio with 11 additional in a 14 man squad.

Batsmen

We’ve already declared our support for Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales to open with Cook, and our number three would be Leicestershire’s James Taylor, followed by Morgan at four and Ravi Bopara at six. Slotting in between these two would be our wicket keeper Craig Kieswetter, who just shades it ahead of Steve Davies and the coming up fast on the rails Jonathan Bairstow. We’d liked to have seen how Ben Stokes would have fared at international level, but injury delays that for now, so our spare batsman would be James Hildreth.

Spinners

With Swann putting his feet up, Mike Yardy sadly unavailable and the James Tredwell experiment surely now at an end, Samit Patel and Adil Rashid would come in as our XI’s two spinners. Their contrasting slow left-arm and leg spin styles should dovetail perfectly and the fact that both can bat is a real bonus.

Seamers

Having declared Anderson and Tremlett unavailable and with Tim Bresnan still injured, we’d select Chris Woakes and Jade Dernbach to join Stuart Broad in the XI with Graham Onions and either James Harris (if fit) or Stuart Meaker joining them in the squad.

So our XIV with our first choice ODI XI in bold is as follows:

Cook, Hales, Taylor, Morgan, Kieswetter, Bopara, Patel, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Dernbach, Hildreth, Onions and Harris/Meaker. Hildreth would replace Cook for the T20.

Where next?

Lay off England after World Cup proves a bridge too far

Ten to watch in 2011: Half-Term report - Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Ten to watch in 2011: Adam Lyth, Jade Dernbach,  Rory Hamilton-Brown, Samit Patel, Alex Hales, Danny Briggs, Ben Stokes, James Harris, Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid

Jack Hobbs by Leo McKinstry | Book review

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