English View: West Indies Series and Australia Squad

Thought I'd welcome your boys to these shores with a quick update from Pomland, afterall, all that lies between now and the series we've all been waiting for is a bit of T20 thrash-around.

The West Indies series was largely pointless. In the Caribbean they weren't interested in winning, over here they weren't even up for playing. Still, there are a couple of things we can take from it.

Firstly, getting back to winning ways was essential - anything other than a 2-0 win was unacceptable. To achieve it without Pietersen firing was pleasing. But, however well Bopara, Swann and co played, I'm not reading too much into individual displays. A few other things stood out though.

We now have a strike bowling partnership worthy of the name. Anderson and Broad have improved beyond recognition, individually and in tandem. I can't wait to see them tested at the higest level. I really think they'll surprise a few people. And whilst it's possible they may fall short, at least we can be sure they'll take the fight to the opposition - none of this Saj Mahmood "at times I didn't know what I was doing out there" rubbish.

Having seemed somewhat directionless under the previous regime, it was good to see some carefully set plans in the field resulting in wickets - a throwback to the summer of 2005. On several occasions an unusual field position was vindicated by a wicket, the slip corden rising as one to acclaim what had clearly been a set trap. This is a welcome echo of four years ago, and one which will need to be replicated this year for the likes of Hughes.

A genuine spirit was also in evidence. This has not always been the case of late, so to see personal milestones such as centuries, five-fors and first Test wickets celebrated with such genuine joy for each other was heartening. Clearly, we have no hope of regaining the Ashes without total togetherness.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that England will be competitive. The utter humiliation of 06-07 and the raw energy and aggression of the newcomers will ensure that.

Andy Flower deserves a lot of credit for the turnaround - not merely for the West Indies win - that wasn't hard - but for dragging us into a position where we look capable of at least challenging for the urn. Five months ago that looked doubtful.

In terms of the Australia squad, no real surprises. Wierdly (considering we've struggled to take 20 wickets of late) the Aussie bowling worries me more than the batting. 

I'm sure Mitchell Johnson will cause us a lot of problems. So too, from what I have seen will Siddle, who appears to be just the sort of guy that could get under our skins - good pace and impressive stamina. Add the contrasting strengths of Lee and Clark and our batsmen will have plenty to think about.

Don't know enough about Hauritz, but hope he gets a go. Justin Langer thinks he's every bit as good as Greame Swann. Big call - Swanny will be relishing a couple of turning wickets and a frekishly high percentage of lefties to knock over. A much cannier bowler than Panesar, he shouldn't be taken lightly.

The Australian batting is strong, but it's only Ponting that I'll lose sleep over. (Happily it will be you guys losing the most sleep this time, though more through time difference than fear I suspect.)  Hughes has obviously enjoyed himself over here and it will be interesting to see how we tackle him, and much depends on which Mike Hussey turns up.

Ultimately, I have no idea what will happen, but I really think it will be close. It promises to be thrilling, and here's to hoping for more 05 style tension than 06-07 one-sidedness. If one side wins both the Anderson-Johnson and Pietersen-Ponting battles convincingly, then they'll have one hell of an advantage.

Can't bloody wait...

Posted by Rich on Sun 24 May

51 comments

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