The Reverse Sweep

England v West Indies - England series marks out of 10

Andrew Strauss (326 runs at 65.20) 9: Redemption at Lord's followed by a second successive hundred at Trent Bridge (to prove that Test match centuries can be like London buses) set up his side's victories in the first two Tests. A touch negative in the field during Samuels' and Sammy's big stand at Nottingham and also when Best and Ramdin caused chaos at Edgbaston.

Alastair Cook (176 runs at 44.00) 6: Failed in the 1st innings of every Test and only made it to 24 at Trent Bridge after being reprieved twice by Roach no balls, but anchored a tricky run chase at Lord's with 79 vital runs and was there at the end at Nottingham whilst looking in decent enough nick.

Jonathan Trott (140 runs at 35.00) 5: Another to look in good touch but could only manage a top score of 58, which was unlike his usual ruthless self. Perhaps he is saving some big innings for his fellow South Africans?

Kevin Pietersen (203 runs at 50.75) 7: Looked in tremendous form at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston but was unable to turn scores of 80 and 78 into big three figure scores. Courted controversy once again by retiring from limited overs internationals but South Africa should beware as KP looks in the mood.

Ian Bell (222 runs at 111.00) 8: No doosra (or Saeed Ajmal), no cry for Bell who eased back into his 2011 vintage with three fifties from four innings with the most crucial coming in the 2nd innings at Lord's when England had stumbled to 57 for four chasing 191.

Jonathan Bairstow (38 runs at 12.66) 3: Started promisingly with a brief cameo of 16 at Lord's but was all at sea at Trent Bridge against the short ball. It is harsh to judge him on four brief innings, but an in-form Ravi Bopara is clearly a better bet against South Africa's daunting pace attack.

Matt Prior (35 runs at 17.50) 5: Whilst his work with the gloves was its usual high quality, he for once failed to cash in against his favourite opponents where in two innings he was bowled through the gate each time.

Tim Bresnan (12 wickets at 33.00; 39 runs at 39.00) 6: Disappointing at Lord's but back to his bustling best at Trent Bridge with eight wickets and an important 39 not out. if Edgbaston is anything to go by, he is far better as a third seamer than the leader of the attack. Winning run ended on 13 by the rain in Birmingham.

Stuart Broad (14 wickets at 21.71; 35 runs at 17.50) 8: Opened up with a career best eleven wicket match haul at Lord's and since the start of the India series last summer has 54 wickets at 18.88 and a batting average of 32.27. That is world-class in any language. Rested for Edgbaston but was still the leading wicket taker in the series.

Graeme Swann (6 wickets at 47.00; 31 runs at 15.50) 6: The pitches offered him scant assistance but took the vital wickets of Bravo and Chanderpaul as West Indies fought hard second time around at Lord's. Should come into his own against the South Africans in the summer's main event.

James Anderson (9 wickets at 26.88; 6 runs at 3.00) 8: Bowled better than his figures suggest, beat the bat countless times and is now the personification of consistency as he barely wastes a ball. Wasn't happy to be rested for Edgbaston where England missed his skill with the ball and nous as the attack leader. His forthcoming dual with Dale Steyn should be fascinating. 

Steve Finn (1 Test, three for 109; 0*) 5: The 'next cab off the rank' came in at Edgbaston as Anderson and Broad were rested and mixed up some unplayable deliveries with several balls - especially in the record last wicket partnership - that were lacking in line or length.

Graham Onions (1 Test, four for 88; DNB) 7: England's decision to rotate their seamers handed the Durham bowler his first Test cap for two and a half years after a serious back injury. He was the pick of the attack with four wickets and may have moved ahead of Finn now in the pecking order. 

Where next?

England v West Indies - West Indies series marks out of 10

2nd Test marks out of 10: England and West Indies

1st Test marks out of ten: England and West Indies

The Plan by Steve James | Book review

Kevin Pietersen's retirement from limited-overs cricket: the case for the defence

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

Andrew Strauss - 7: Whilst Trott and Swann defended him off the pitch, the captain did his talking on the field with a dogged fifty to set up England's reply and keep the wolves from the door for now.

Alastair Cook - 8: After a poor winter, the vice-captain was at his obdurate best with a painstaking  94,which gave KP the platform he needed to cut loose. With the shackles released, Cook was far more fluent in the second innings as England cantered to their winning target.

Jonathan Trott - 7: Carried on from his hundred at Galle with another resolute innings here to end a difficult and error ridden winter on a positive note.

Kevin Pietersen - 10: After wintering worse than the German Sixth Army in Stalingrad in 1942-43, the real KP returned with what must go down as one of his best Test hundreds. On a pitch where fluency eluded everyone else, he took the Sri Lankan attack apart as he brought up his 20th Test ton.

Ian Bell - 4: Kept Pietersen company in his match defining innings, but has lost all semblance of his imperious form and confidence of 2011. Could do with being allowed to rediscover his touch in the County Championship for Warwickshire.

Matt Prior - 5: Not at his best with the bat this time, but for once this winter others above him did their jobs. Was his usual reliable self with the gloves.

Samit Patel - 6: Didn't look out of place at this level for the second successive match. He was tidy if not particularly threatening with the ball and added useful runs with the bat.

Tim Bresnan - 7: Held up an end and went at only two runs per over in his first Test of the winter. Now has 11 wins from his 11 Tests, which must make him the largest leprechaun in history.

Graeme Swann - 10: Bagged a ten wicket haul to confirm once and for all his supremacy as England's premier spinner. His six wickets in the second innings included Sri Lanka's big four -Mahela Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Samaraweera and Dilshan making his contribution to the win just as significant as Pietersen's. 

James Anderson - 8: Produced another potent burst with the new ball on the first morning and would seem to have a batsman as great as Sangakkara in his pocket. No one in this side deserved a win this winter more than Dale Steyn's nearest challenger as the best fast bowler in the world.

Steve Finn - 7: After a sterling performance over the winter with the drinks tray, Finn confirmed the impression from the one dayers in India and versus Pakistan that he is quicker and more venomous than before even if the pitch didn't exactly play to his strengths.

Where next?

1st Test England marks out of 10 and Sri Lanka marks out of 10

County Championship preview: Our XI to watch in 2012

Dropping Andrew Strauss

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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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England's topsy-turvy menu in the desert

Imagine if you went to an expensive (is there any other?) three star Michelin restaurant and you were served your dessert first. It would be a bit strange wouldn't it? Especially if the head chef wasn't a certain Heston Blumenthal.

Now imagine that your chocolate souffle was followed in chronological order by the cheese board, main course, hors d'oeuvre and finally the amuse bouche to round things off. It would be a bit disorientating wouldn't it? Even more so given the two bottles of vintage wine you had thirstily gulped down - dessert wine first naturally.

For restuarant menus designed by Mr Topsy-Turvy, read England's tour schedule against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, which was seemingly conceived by Mr Haven't Got A Clue.

If we consider that dessert was off the menu (well the tour did come immediately after the Christmas and New Year feasts and one does have to watch that waistline), we were first served up with the main course of filet de bœuf en croûte with cauliflower gratin and fine green beans. This was followed by succulent langoustine and now today the we have the arrival of the parmesan pannacota amuse bouche.

Just like you and me in that peculiar three star Michelin establishment, England were badly disorientated at first and the beef - despite coming from one of the finest herds in the world - went down badly. Ian Bell in particular had a severe choking fit. Fortunately, composure had been recovered by the time the langoustine arrived - Alastair Cook and Steve Finn do like their shellfish, although the same couldn't be said for Pakistan who must have been served up a bad batch.  

But enough of Mr Topsy-Turvy and Mr Haven't Got A Clue, let's get our menus and our cricket the right way round. That is Twenty 20 first, the one day series second and the main course of Test cricket last on stage.

That'll be better for the abused palettes of spectators and players alike.

Where next?

Pakistan vs England ODI series - England marks out of 10

Alastair Cook and England's T20 team

Beware Brad Haddin; Big Bad John Inverarity & the NSP are coming to get you

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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

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes

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England are ready

A thought struck us as we watched Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen fairly canter towards the target of 223 set by Pakistan in the third one day international in Dubai on Saturday.

It wasn’t that Cook is a ODI run machine, or that rumours of KP’s demise had proved decidedly premature, or even that Steve Finn is starting to make an unanswerable case for his elevation to the Test XI. Although all of these are true.

No, despite the fact that Pietersen’s hundred was his first in one day internationals since November 2008 – two weeks before Graeme Swann’s Test debut and three months before the Andocracy of Flower and Strauss was formed at the helm of the good ship England, one thought transcended all others in our furtive mind.

The ease with which England have dispatched a highly capable Pakistan side in this one day series shows that they are finally ready to contest a World Cup in Asia.

Unfortunately, they are exactly one year too late, which does seems a little careless.

Where next?

A case of déjà vu in the desert for England, but mon Dieu for Kevin Pietersen

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

Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here

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A case of déjà vu in the desert for England, but mon Dieu for Kevin Pietersen

A second consecutive ton for the skipper, two fifties in a row for the erstwhile drinks waiter as well as successive four-fors for his assistant and expert ice bucket carrier.

Pakistan may have scored more runs this time but one couldn't help having a distinct feeling of déjà vu about the second one day international in Abu Dhabi.

Despite being green-washed in the Test series, England can not now lose a one day series that is strangely comprised of four matches. I suppose we should thank our lucky stars it isn't seven.

England's recovery perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise as the last four times they have lost a preceding Test series they have bounced back to triumph in the one day series that followed. And they used to say that Pakistan were mercurial and unpredictable.

For the statisticians amongst you, England won 3-2 in the Caribbean in 2009 having lost the Test series 1-0. This followed on from 4-0 and 4-3 successes at home against South Africa and India in 2008 and 2007 respectively.

They also won the CB Series in Australia after being whitewashed in the Ashes series that never was in 2007. That was also the last time an England batsman (Paul Collingwood) struck two successive one day tons.

In other news, we identified that Kevin Pietersen's last one day ton in Cuttack in November 2008 came two weeks BEFORE Graeme Swann's Test debut - more a case of mon Dieu or sacré bleu than déjà vu.

Where next?

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

Farewell to Paul Collingwood - England's Working Class Hero

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

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It's time to get uplifted and inspired...

Alastair Cook’s hundred in Abu Dhabi (make that hundreds as he’s just hit another as we type) and Steve Finn’s splattering of Pakistan’s top order put a warm glow in us on Monday. It made us feel uncharacteristically positive and even a bit fluffy. Hence our feelgood piece for All Out Cricket this week about the twin fairytales served up by Afghanistan’s cricketers and Zambia’s football team last weekend.

We’re sure that an English batting collapse won’t be too long in coming and we’ll soon be back to our usual bitter and twisted selves. In the meantime, prepare to be uplifted and read Nothing Can Confound And Inspire In Equal Measure Quite Like Sport. You may even find yourself smiling at the end of it. Maybe.

Where next?

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

Check out our Cricket XIs

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

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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India v England ODI series: England marks out of 10

Alastair Cook - 4 (133 runs at 26.60, SR 84.71): A pair of sixties sandwiched three failures in the middle three games. His honeymoon as captain is well and truly over and as leader must take share of blame for England's poor discipline and negative body language in the field.

Craig Kieswetter - 4 (135 runs at 27.00, SR 101.50): Shocking performance with the gloves cost England the game in Mohali and with his batting flattering to deceive his place will come under scrutiny. Did bat well in Kolkata, though should have dug in to see his side over the line.

Jonathan Trott - 6 (202 runs at 50.50, SR 79.84): Received ridiculous and undeserved criticism after his 98* at Mohali - the only game that England ran India close in. Does need to find another gear, but it is churlish to call for his head when he has a one day average in excess of 50. Definitely not Trott's fault.

Kevin Pietersen - 6 (170 runs at 42.50, SR 82.52): Dealt with the furore of Swann's autobiography with dignity and looked close to his best in Delhi and Mohali but still couldn't pass 64 despite reaching 40 on three occasions. Hasn't scored a one day hundred for three years now.

Ravi Bopara - 2 (80 runs at 16.00, SR 62.99): Went horribly backwards after taking what seemed to be several significant steps forward in the summer. His dreadful dismissal bowled behind his legs in Kolkata could prove his international epitaph.

Ian Bell - 2 Endured a frustrating time on the sidelines before being part of the woeful collapse in Kolkata.

Jonathan Bairstow - 3 (49 runs at 12.25, SR 59.75): After all the hype from to his remarkable debut in Cardiff, the youngster looked woefully out of his depth against spin and the slower Indian wickets. Needs to learn from the experience. 

Samit Patel - 6(160 runs at 40, SR 91.95; 4 wickets at 45.50, ER 6.03): One of the few plus points - memorable innings at Mohali and was as good if not better than Swann with the ball.

Tim Bresnan - 3(5 wickets at 49, ER 5.65; 61 runs at 15.25, SR 87.14): Out of sorts with the ball and proved a poor leader of the attack in the absence of Anderson and Broad, which perhaps explains his fractiousness. Useful knock in Mumbai at least gave England a slither of hope.

Graeme Swann - 2(2 wickets at 95.50, ER 5.30): Being dropped for the Mumbai game must have been a chastening experience for the side's budding Shakespeare. His performances and mood were as bad as the timing of the release of his autobiography, and the success of Ashwin and Jadeja puts his poor form even more into context.

Scott Borthwick - 2: Came in for Swann at Mumbai but didn't look even close to an international class spinner. Has plenty of promise though and the Durham leggie's time will come again.

Steven Finn - 6 (8 wickets at 31.62, ER 5.27): England's lone star with the ball was up on pace and at times the Indian batsmen found him too hot to handle. Needs to channel his temper better.

Jade Dernbach - 2(1 wicket at 168, ER 6.54): Struggled badly and completely lost the plot in the final overs at Mohali and was consequently dropped for the last two games. However, given it was his first venture on Indian pitches, should be persevered with.

Stuart Meaker - 5 (2 wickets at 55, ER 5.78): Came in at Mumbai and Kolkata, showed immense promise and character and didn't let anyone down - even if his final over at Kolkata proved to be a MS Dhoni masterclass. 

Where next?

Virat Kohli - The (Little) Master's Apprentice

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the King of Cool

England are as bad as India

Is it really Jonathan Trott's fault?

They also played cricket - an XI of illustriously named Cricketers

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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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Stuart Broad vs Steven Finn - who should get the vote?

 
With James Anderson returning from injury for the 3rd Test either Stuart Broad or Steve Finn will have to make way from the bowling attack that spluttered last week at Lord’s. We run the rule over the two and deliver our verdict below:

Form

Neither were anywhere near the top of their games at Lord’s. Both were wayward and made Matt Prior dive full length kine an unconvincing swan more times than Cristiano Ronaldo does in a whole season. However, Finn did get better as the match wore on and picked up four wickets as well as giving the Sri Lankan tailenders a bit of a torrid time.

Broad has been rusty in both Tests, perhaps as a consequence of the injuries he picked up in the Ashes and World Cup. His strike rate in the two matches has been 82 making him as dangerous as a blancmange on a firing range.

Finn 1 Broad 0

Control

Finn was dropped after the Perth Ashes Test despite at that time being the leading wicket-taker on either side in the series. His problem was that he had been so expensive with an economy rate of 4.3 that he could have earned a sponsorship deal with Prada. That lack of control was on show again at Lord’s last week.

Broad is normally the more miserly of the two with a career economy rate of 3.15 runs per over to Finn’s 3.89. However, he has gone at 3.5 runs per over in the current series, which whilst not quite being worthy of a deal with Prada hardly justifies an approach from H&M either.

Finn 1 Broad 1

Record

Finn became the youngest England bowler to reach 50 Test wickets in the Lord’s Test. It has only taken him 12 matches and his wickets have come at an impressive average of 26.92. His strike rate of a wicket every 41.4 balls is just below the phenomenal Dale Steyn, but is perhaps skewed by the fact that eight of his 12 Tests have come against the powder-puff batting line-ups of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Whether he can be as effective against the likes of Tendulkar, Sehwag and Laxman is debatable.

Broad’s record isn’t nearly so good even if he reached an impressive milestone of his own at Cardiff by becoming the second youngest England bowler to reach 100 Test wickets. Broad’s 105 wickets have come in 36 Tests at an average of 36. His strike rate is that of a drunk taking up archery for the first time and stands at a distinctly mediocre wicket every 68 balls. However, Broad did bowl that pivotal spell in the Ashes decider at the Oval in 2009.

Finn 2 Broad 1

Batting

Whilst we have sympathy with those that would disregard the batting ability of the pair and argue that the decision should be made on bowling alone this is not what the selectors will do.

Broad wins this match-up hands down, being a very good Test number eight with the potential to go higher in the order. Finn is not a number 11 in the Glenn McGrath mould, but is as likely to score a Test 50 as Nick Clegg is going to win a Most Popular MP contest.

Finn 2 Broad 2

Verdict

So perhaps unsurprisingly it is a borderline decision. Both have their merits and both are young so are likely to get better in the years to come. Personally, we’d go with Finn for the Rose Bowl (though we doubt that the selectors will concur) and hope that Broad can get his rhythm back in the nets and County Cricket in time for the series with India where his extra aggression and runs could come in useful.

Both however, will need to look over their shoulders as England have a wealth of seam bowling talent in the likes of Bresnan, Shahzad, Onions, Woakes, Harris, Dernbach and Meaker champing at the bit to nail down a spot in the XI.

Where next?

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

Are Cook, Trott and Bell more impressive than Pippa Middleton's derriere?

Matt Prior's Desert Island Discs

Jack Hobbs by Leo McKinstry | Book review

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

 
Andrew Strauss – 3: A poor game for the skipper. Two failures against Welegedara led to whispers of a perceived weakness against left arm seam. His last 17 Tests have only seen one hundred and a worrying average of 32. If that wasn’t enough his bowlers were wayward and his wicketkeeper unruly. No wonder he was left shaking his head. Final day declaration was disappointingly unadventurous.

Alastair Cook – 9: Now has a Bradmanesque six hundreds in his last 12 Test innings. It would have been seven but for an uncharacteristic miscued pull on 96 in the 1st innings. Cook is only 26, but has now passed none other than Jack Hobbs in the list of leading England run makers and already has 18 hundreds to his name. The records are his for the taking.

Jonathan Trott – 6: No one was more surprised than run-machine Trott at his 1st innings failure, so he can perhaps be forgiven his erroneous waste of a referral. Bounced back with a fluent 58 off just 75 balls second time around to (temporarily at least) hush those that suggest his batting is boring. Wicket of Paranavitana may compensate partly for his career average falling to just 64.

Kevin Pietersen – 6: Absolutely dreadful shot to fail first time around, but bounced back well to look something like his old self in the 2nd innings even if he did eventually fall again to left-arm spin. Those runs could prove important when India come calling later in the summer. Brilliant catch to remove Jayawardene on the final day.

Ian Bell – 7: Like Cook and Trott, is in the batting form of his life, Bell’s pair of fifties in the match were a stark contrast. The first was watchful and helped lift his side from a precarious 22/3 whilst the second came up in just 40 balls as England looked for quick runs. May have to avoid Matt Prior for a couple of days.

Eoin Morgan – 7: His first innings 79 put England in the ascendancy and the way he played the spinners augers well for the tours this winter to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Sacrificed himself second time around as England pushed for the declaration.

Matt Prior – 8: The Vandal started the match by smashing boundaries at will as he cantered towards a fine hundred and ended it in ignominy after his bat (or was it his gloves?) took offence to one of the Lord’s windows. His mood cannot have been helped by conceding so many byes (32) during the Test, and being run out clearly proved to be the straw that broke the wicketkeepers back. See also Matt Prior's Desert Island Discs

Stuart Broad – 5: Was once again expensive and wayward with the ball and will do well to keep his place when the likes of Anderson and Bresnan are fit. Bright and breezy 50 once again showed how much he loves batting at Lord’s.

Graeme Swann – 6: Burgled three of the last four Sri Lankan 1st innings wickets, but this was not vintage Swann on a pitch that gave him little assistance. At least England's spin king was accurate and economical.

Chris Tremlett – 6: After his final day heroics in Cardiff it was perhaps inevitable that Tremlett would have a dip, and that’s exactly what he had as his radar went a bit awry at the start of the Sri Lankan 1st innings. Was still England’s best seamer though and bowled the occasional devilish delivery (as Dilshan's thumb will testify) and proved hard to get away.

Steve Finn – 6: Struggled at first with line and length and bowled his usual quota of boundary balls, but improved as the match wore on and deserved his four wicket haul to become the youngest England bowler to take 50 Test wickets. His knack of taking wickets is a good habit to have.

Where next?

County Championship XI of the week #9

Jack Hobbs by Leo McKinstry | Book review

The second coming of Tillakaratne Dilshan

Andrew Strauss is struck down by Kevin Pietersen's virulent malaise

1st Test, Cardiff: England marks out of 10

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2nd Test Preview: Lord's - Imperious England target series win

 
As we wrote earlier in the week in some ways it was no great surprise that England shot Sri Lanka out for 82 on the final afternoon in Cardiff, given that it was the fifth time in the last ten Tests that they have bowled the opposition out for under 100.

Even as typical glass half-full England supporters, it is time for the Reverse Sweep to confidently (this is not hubris you understand) state that England have an embarrassment of riches at the moment.

Cook, Trott and Bell are in the form of their lives and plundering runs for fun. Swann is indisputably the best spinner in the world and to top it all off, Chris Tremlett has been transformed from a meek, awkward and inconsistent fast bowler into the new Curtly Ambrose. Indeed, England are so strong that they can even afford to carry Pietersen and do without their best bowler Anderson.

England also has a bench that is comparable in strength to Barcelona’s with the likes of Finn, Panesar and Bopara all ready to come in if required. The youth team also has immense promise with James Taylor, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid (eventually) all likely to have long Test careers.

Moving back to the 2nd Test at Lord’s, it will be fascinating to see if Sri Lanka can recover with such a short turnaround time from Cardiff. The bowling was shockingly impotent and some of the shots that the batsmen got out to during the collapse were tantamount to dereliction of duty. If Sri Lanka are to get anything out of the match then the bowling will need to be more penetrating (could it be less?) and their star batsmen Sangakkara and Jayawardene will need to produce substantially more than the 44 runs they managed in total at Cardiff.

England on the other hand will be supremely confident of getting the victory they need to secure the series and continue their impressive march towards the summit meeting with India later in the summer.

Likely line-ups

With Anderson injured, the only change in the England XI will see the return of Finn ahead of Jade Dernbach.

Wholesale changes are likely to the Sri Lankan bowling attack with Fernando, Welegedara and Randiv all coming into contention. Coach Stuart Law will also be casting envious eyes towards Northampton where the legendary Chaminda Vaas has just taken a 10 wicket Championship haul against Glamorgan. If another batsman is required, expect Dinesh Chamdimal, who has a first-class average of over 60, to make his Test bow.

Look out for…

Chris Tremlett will be relishing the chance to get stuck into the Sri Lankan batting line-up again after his exploits on Monday. He’s always had the talent, but now seems to have finally acquired the fitness, luck, aggression and most importantly confidence to fully exhibit his wares. Expect him to continue making up for lost time at Lord’s.

Mahela Jayawardene was one of the few to not give his wicket away on Monday and he is too good a batsman not to produce something special at some point during this series. Lord’s the scene of one of his greatest innings in 2006 (and another century in 2002) seems an apt place for this most regal of batsmen to shine.

Previously at Lord’s

2006 – Match drawn

All appeared to be going to plan as England enforced the follow-on after dismissing the tourists for 192 in reply to their 551 for 6 declared. But skipper Jayawardene led the spirited resistance with 119 as Sri Lanka batted out 199 overs for an improbable draw. Replacement captain Flintoff got his sums completely wrong, bowling himself for 51 overs and Hoggard for 46 whilst only using Panesar for 27 overs (despite him taking 2/49 and dismissing two of the top three).  

2002 – Match drawn

This three match series was the first time that Sri Lanka had played more than the solitary Test in England. They started well by getting the better of a drawn opening test at Lord’s. They won the toss and racked up 555/8 declared with Atapattu (185) and Jayawardene (107) both scoring hundreds before dismissing England for 275 and enforcing the follow on. England did what Sri Lanka were to do four years later by batting for 191 overs to post 529/5 declared. Vaughan and Butcher both scored hundreds. This was as good as it got for Sri Lanka as England powered to a 2-0 series win.

Prediction

Sri Lanka to improve but England to secure the series with a comfortable win and Pietersen to score a hundred.

Where next?

England bowling out Sri Lanka for 82 is not such a big surprise

1st Test, Cardiff: England marks out of 10

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott are just like Barcelona

Cricket Heroes: Jack Hobbs

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1st Test: Cardiff - Preview: England reach for the feel good hit of summer

 
The first Test of the English summer has always been an historic event and this year is no different as England embark on their first Test action since that wonderful Ashes triumph down under.

We’ve already written why Sri Lanka should not be underestimated, but talk of England's quest to become the number one Test side in the world shows no sign of abating.

Even Sri Lankan coach Stuart Law has been at it saying that over the last eighteen months “I believe England are the best team in Test cricket”. Whether he truly means that or if it is simply a case of Law getting his excuses in early awaits to be seen.

Certainly, we will know a lot more about how close England are to achieving their goal by the end of the summer given that current top ranked side India visit English shores for a four test series after Sri Lanka have departed.

India are yet to lose a series in eleven under the leadership of MS Dhoni, but England also have a long unbeaten run stretching back to the Caribbean in 2009 where the first series of the Strauss-Flower axis was lost. Since then the pair have overseen home and away wins over Australia and Bangladesh, as well as home victories over Pakistan and West Indies and a creditable drawn series in South Africa.

But India can wait for now as the series with Sri Lanka promises to be a tasty and intriguing hors d’oeuvre.

Likely line-ups

Now that the Morgan vs Bopara contest has been settled in favour of England’s adopted Irishman, the only question mark over England’s final XI is between Chris Tremlett and Steve Finn. In our view, it is the Surrey giant who should get the nod to build on his pivotal role in the last three Ashes Tests.

Things are not so clear with the Sri Lankan line-up. Nuwan Pradeep has gone home with injury and there is a doubt over Dilhara Fernando. Farveez Maharoof, who has been called into the squad from Lancashire will probably play.

Look out for…

As usual a lot of the focus in the build-up to the Test has been on Kevin Pietersen, with some in the media suggesting that he could be dropped for India if he fails to shine. Pietersen has said that he has got the bug back, so the RS expects him to build on a successful Ashes series where he averaged over 60 and hit that magnificent double hundred at Adelaide.

It will be interesting to see how Tillakaratne Dilshan fares as Sri Lanka’s new captain. He has made a good start with two wins and a hundred in each of the warm-up games. He has the experience of former captains Sangakkara and Jayawardene to call upon should he need it, but even so it will be a real test to see how he works with what is an inexperienced and largely unproven bowling attack.

Previously at Cardiff

This is only the second Test to be held at Sophia Gardens, and this Test will have to go a long way to match the finish of the inaugural Test in 2009 where Paul Collingwood, Monty Panesar and James Anderson memorably led England’s Great Escape against Australia.

Sri Lanka’s record in England is two wins, three draws and four defeats from nine matches, with both wins (The Oval 1998 and Trent Bridge 2006) being engineered by Muralitharan. How they fare without their spin genius, is just one of the many posers of what promises to be a fascinating series.

Stat attack

Kumar Sangakkara is criminally underrated despite a Test average of over 57. His stats are even more impressive when he doesn’t have the added burden of keeping wicket - a Bradmanesque 76.52 from 46 Tests sans gloves.

Since being rested from the tour of Bangladesh in early 2010, James Anderson has taken 56 wickets at 20.78 in 11 Tests. With a strong battery of quicks to call upon, expect rest and rotation to become a feature of England’s selection over the summer.

Prediction

Earlier this week, we had a hunch that this could be Sri Lanka’s match, but with the pitch likely to favour the batsmen and rain forecast throughout the game, the draw seems the most likely result.

Where next?

Seven reasons why England should not underestimate Sri Lanka

Read all the excerpts of KP's Summer of Cricket Diary

10 reasons why Ian Botham may have worn sunglasses at the premiere of 'From the Ashes'

Eoin Morgan has got "it"

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Who should make the England Lions XI to play the Sri Lankans?

 
The England selectors will meet in the coming days to pick their Lions squad to face the Sri Lankan tourists in a game starting on 19th May at Derby.

They will have their work cut out as one of the features of what has been a fascinating start to the County Championship is the number of impressive performances by young English cricketers.

We’ve had a go at naming our XI:

Varun Chopra (Warwickshire) – The former England under-19 captain has started the season like a runaway train and deserves an opportunity to see whether he can flourish against an international bowling attack.

Adam Lyth (Yorkshire) – Whilst the young opener still needs to turn more of his fifties into big hundreds, he is still probably at the head of a queue that also includes Stephen Moore and Jimmy Adams. But for injury Alex Hales and Michael Carberry would also have come into the equation.

James Hildreth (Captain, Somerset) – Has had a bit of a slow start to the season after a phenomenal summer in 2010 and impressive performances for the Lions over the winter, but is still on the shortlist for the vacancy created in the Test side by the retirement of Paul Collingwood.

Ravi Bopara (Essex) – With Eoin Morgan opting for the riches of the IPL, Bopara is Collingwood’s probable replacement in the Test squad. He is running into form with the bat as an unbeaten match-winning ton in his last Championship match Glamorgan testifies. Underrated bowler.

James Taylor (Leicestershire) – Supremely talented and gutsy too, if his batting against a fiery Surrey attack on a lively Oval pitch last week is anything to go by. It is a case of when, not if, Taylor plays Test cricket. Other middle-order batsmen that could come into contention include Samit Patel, Andrew Gale and Ben Stokes.

Craig Kieswetter (Somerset) – It’s a borderline decision between the Somerset keeper and Stephen Davies, but Kieswetter has made the more impressive start to the season. Jonathan Bairstow may also get a mention in dispatches.

Adil Rashid (Yorkshire) – Presumably the selectors know all they need to about Monty Panesar, so the game against Sri Lanka offers another opportunity to take a look at the young Rashid - still the pick of an ever-growing list of young English spinners that also includes Danny Briggs, Scott Borthwick and Simon Kerrigan.

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) – Not many have started the season better than Warwickshire’s bowling all-rounder, who has 24 wickets in the Championship at 18.54 and 262 runs at 52.40. A real candidate for further England honours after demonstrating he had the temperament for international cricket in Australia over the winter.

Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire) – Has now been on the fringes of the England Test, ODI and T20 sides for a while now and deserves his chance to show what he can do against the tourists. Alex Hales’ jaw will vouch that Shahzad has fully recovered from the injury that saw his World Cup curtailed early.

Steve Finn (Middlesex) – With Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad likely to be in a three-way race for two spots in the Test XI, the selectors will probably want to take a look at next cab on the rank Finn in a Lions shirt.

Jade Dernbach (Surrey) – The surprise late call-up to the World Cup looked the real deal against Leicestershire last week and will probably pip the likes of Steve Kirby, Stuart Meaker, James Harris, the returning Graham Onions and 17 year old Reece Topley to the final spot in the XI.

Where next?

County Championship XI of the week #5

Our 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

An England under-23 XI - the future looks bright

2010 County XI of the season

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Reece Topley stars at Lord's with another five wicket haul

 
Following our planes, trains and automobiles (and not necessarily in that order) journey from the South of France, we managed to catch about three hours play of day one of the Middlesex-Essex championship division 2 clash at Lord's yesterday.

The old ground looked majestic even under grey skies and a chilly April afternoon, and the unique atmosphere of an English County Championship encounter was like manna from heaven following a couple of particularly tedious meetings in the morning.

The undoubted star of the show was Essex left-armer Reece Topley. The seventeen year old took his second five-fer in successive matches and looked to have a good action and plenty of nip.

We didn't arrive in time to see his first three wickets, and in the first over he bowled just before tea he was carted to the boundary three times.

But given his age and limited experience - this is only his third first-class match - the odd four-ball is to be expected.

What Topley did do well was to come back after tea to mop up the tail, first by bowling Steve Finn after a useful ninth wicket partnership with Olly Rayner and then getting Corey Collymore a couple of balls later.

Reece Topley. Remember the name.

Where next?

Our pilgramage to Lord's - that's Lord's NOT Lourdes

County XI of the week (Round 1)

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

An England under-23 XI - the future looks bright

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County Championship Preview - Division 2: Middlesex

 
After several seasons of underachievement, Middlesex supporters will be hoping that a hectic winter of ins and outs heralds a change in fortunes.

Strengths

Chris Rogers is an excellent acquisition and a proven accumulator of runs in county cricket. There is a sprinkling of other talented batsmen in the squad too with the likes of Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan, Sam Robson, Scott Newman and captain Neil Dexter. But it is the bowling where Middlesex’s strength lies with Steve Finn (who could be available for more of this summer than last) joined by Corey Collymore, Toby Roland-Jones, Tim Murtagh, Anthony Ireland and loan signing Ollie Rayner.

Weaknesses

It’s a shame for Middlesex fans that Andrew Strauss is being rested until May by the ECB as he and Rogers would form a formidable opening partnership. England calls could also deprive them of Morgan (who is also playing in the IPL until late May) and Finn. The newcomers may take time to settle and the team to gel.

Main man

Chris Rogers – Derbyshire’s loss is Middlesex’s gain. It is almost criminal that Rogers has only played the one Test for Australia.

Look out for…

A serious push for promotion, as well as the continued development of Roland-Jones, who looks a decent prospect.

Prediction

2nd – No more underachievement for this well-balanced squad.

Where next?

County Championship Previews - Division 2: Derbyshire, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent

County Championship Previews - Division 1:  Yorkshire,  Worcestershire,  Warwickshire, Sussex,  Somerset,  Nottinghamshire,  Lancashire,  Hampshire,  Durham

2010 County XI of the season

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ODI Series: England marks out of 10

 
Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss are probably as pleased as we are here at the Reverse Sweep that the ridiculously elongated one day series is over. Never again, must England agree to play a seven match ODI series especially straight after a long and tiring Ashes series.

Not only has morale been sapped by a 6-1 caning at the hands of Australia, but injuries to several key players means that their World Cup hopes potentially lie in tatters.

England used a mind-boggling 19 players over the course of the series. Here's how they rate out of ten:

Andrew Strauss (179 runs at 25.57, 2 fifties, SR 82.48) - 5: Reached 63 twice but other than that the captain had a poor series with his muddled thinking in the field indicative of England's malaise.

Stephen Davies (42 runs at 21, SR 102.43) - 4: Hit a streaky 42 in the first match and was promptly then dropped from the World Cup squad to make room for Prior. Must be wondering what he has done to offend the selectors.

Matt Prior (138 runs at 23.00, 1 fifty, SR 90.19) - 4: England's obsession that their wicketkeeper has to open is doing Prior a dis-service as he would be much better employed down the order. Fell cheaply to the pace of Lee three times. 

Jonathan Trott (375 runs at 62.50, 2 100s, 1 50, SR 81.69) - 9: The leading run-scorer in the series scored over twice as many runs as any other England batsman. His 137 at Sydney in the sixth match was a great one day innings and proved that he could change gears when required.

Kevin Pietersen (185 runs at 30.83, 1 50, SR 90.24) - 5: Started like a dream in the first match at Melbourne before being run out by Mitchell Johnson's passable imitation of Wayne Rooney. Thereafter, KP disappointed getting out to a hopeless shot on more than one occasion.

Ian Bell (154 runs at 22.00, SR 70.00) - 3: Looked a million dollars when scoring a hundred against the Prime Minister's XI in the warm-up as an opener, and was then promptly moved down the order for the entire series.  Should open in the World Cup.

Eoin Morgan (106 runs at 17.66, SR 80.30) - 2: Was understandably rusty at the start of the series after three months of twiddling his fingers and carrying drinks, but failed to get into nick before breaking a digit to put his World Cup spot in jeopardy. Another who found some truly horrible ways of getting out.

Paul Collingwood (53 runs at 17.66, SR 86.88; 4 wickets at 20.75, ER 3.32) - 6: Started the series on the sidelines, but the break didn't do his batting much good. His bowling though was a revelation, being the only man on either side to have an economy rate of less than four runs per over.

Luke Wright (56 runs at 28.00, SR 86.15; no wickets, ER 5.36) - 2: Not even a bits and pieces player and how he can be in the World Cup squad ahead of Bopara defies belief.

Tim Bresnan (4 wickets at 27.00, ER 5.68; 47 runs at 23.50, SR 87.03) - 5: Broke down after two matches to join England's walking wounded and may now have lost his spot to Collingwood for the World Cup.

Michael Yardy (5 wickets at 60.20, ER 5.57; 137 runs at 45.66, SR 84.04) - 3: A couple of useful knocks with the bat could not hide the Sussex captain's ineffectiveness with the ball. A weak link in England's World Cup armoury.

James Tredwell (1 match, 16 runs and 0/44) - 1: Has Samit Patel's love of chapatis to thank for even getting one match. England effectively have a 14 man squad for the World Cup given Tredwell's presence in the squad. Maybe it is better to have someone who eats pies rather than bowls them?

Graeme Swann (1 match, 1/42 and 4 runs): 4: Another to fall victim to the injury curse and how England missed Swann's potency and control with the ball. Hopefully, he will now be rested and raring to go for the World Cup where England's fortunes are likely to improve of Swann fires.

Chris Woakes (7 wickets at 21.28, ER 5.65; 20 runs at 10.00, SR 50.00) - 5: Experienced the highs and lows of international cricket with 6/45 at Brisbane before being walloped for 73 runs in 9.2 wicketless overs in the next match at Sydney. One for the future.

Liam Plunkett (1 match, 2/49 and 20 runs) - 5: Plunkett came from a galaxy far, far away (i.e. the Caribbean) for the final match in Perth and defied jet lag to put in a creditable performance.

Ajmal Shahzad (6 wickets at 40.50, ER 5.15) - 3: Bowled excellently in Hobart, before fading away and then becoming another to pick up an injury. Shows promise but is maybe not as good as many are saying.

Chris Tremlett (6 wickets at 33.50, ER 5.20) - 5: Left out of the World Cup squad and then promptly bowled brilliantly at Hobart to take 3/22. Yet another England bowler who picked up an injury.

James Anderson (7 wickets at 34.00, ER 5.95) - 4: Was given a break back home for the first three matches and must have wished he'd have stayed there after being smashed for 91 runs at Sydney, before bouncing back with 3/48 at Perth.

Steve Finn (3 wickets at 56.33, ER 5.63) - 4: Bowled better than his figures suggest and really enjoyed himself with the bat in Brisbane.

Where next?

Reaction to England's World Cup Squad

An XI of cricketers that died young

Zeroes: Salman Butt

The best Test XI of 2010

The worst Test XI of 2010

4-0 to Jonathan Trott 

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How England won the Ashes: Part 3 - Hunting as a pack

 
Just like a particularly canny pride of hungry lions, England’s bowlers hunted as a pack during the series and were utterly ruthless in executing the consummate planning of Australian bowling coach David Saker.

In the process, they comprehensively overcame question marks about their ability to be effective with the kookaburra and their suitability on Australian pitches. Especially pack leader James Anderson, who by the series end had emerged as one of the top three seamers in the world along with Dale Steyn and Zaheer Khan.

As well as executing specific plans for certain batsmen, England stuck admirably to their strategy of containment. This frustrated the Australian batsmen and induced a catalogue of needless fatal strokes outside off stump. By Sydney, this choking of Australia’s batsmen reached such an extent that the home side had struggled to only 171/6 by the time that the second new ball was taken.

All of England’s frontline bowlers impressed even Stuart Broad, who may have only taken two wickets before he went home injured, but was so miserly that others – notably Steve Finn – got the wickets Broad probably deserved.

The rest of the seamers got the wickets that their hard work and brilliance merited. Anderson took 24 wickets – the most by an England fast bowler down under in a five match series since Frank Tyson in 1954/55 whilst Chris Tremlett was a revelation after coming in at Perth and snared 17 victims at 23 and consistently troubled all of Australia’s batsmen.

England even had the luxury of dropping Finn after Perth, despite him being the leading wicket-taker in the series to that point. He may have had 14 wickets, but they had come at the price of an economy rate of 4.3 runs per over. England’s plan was not to be as expensive as Prada, so out went Finn and in came Tim Bresnan.

We’ve written about our doubts about Bresnan’s credentials as a test bowler before, but the big lad was nearly as much of a revelation as Tremlett, taking 11 wickets at 20, and most importantly doing so at an economy rate of just 2.6.

Then there was Graeme Swann. Only the pitch in Adelaide helped him, but other than a poor match at the Gabba, Swann was content to play the support role for once whilst still managing 15 wickets. Doubters will highlight that Swann’s wickets cost almost 40 runs a piece. But when you consider that collectively Australia’s spinners took just five wickets for a beastly 666 runs in the series, Swann actually did very well.

The biggest compliment you can give England’s bowlers is that on the same pitches where England passed 500 four times and made Australia’s attack look horribly toothless, England’s bowlers looked like they were bowling on different surfaces. They found movement where it seemed there was none, they got reverse swing much earlier and unlike their Australian counterparts, were relentlessly accurate.

Their batsmen may have broken the records, but England’s bowlers were equally as crucial. They took 91 out of a possible 100 wickets in the series (to Australia’s 56) and that tells you everything you need to know.

Where next?

How England won the Ashes: Part 1 - Preparation

How England won the Ashes: Part 2 - Inspired selections

Ashes 2010/11: Australia series marks out of 10

Ashes 2010/11: England series marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes including amongst others James Anderson, Graeme Swann, Graham Gooch, Dennis Lillee and Mitchell Johnson

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