It’s Manchester. Did you really think we’d get five clear, sunny days? This is the Costa Del Salford not the Costa Del Sol.
Due to yesterday’s severely shortened play, there’s really not much I can write about. India bowled pretty well in the morning session, picked up a few wickets, but a developing partnership involving Root and Buttler cemented England’s strong position.
A lead of eighty odd with four wickets in hand is a pretty good lead on this pitch, so if Manchester escapes the remnants of Hurricane Bertha this weekend, England should go 2-1 up in the series.
Of course, it probably won’t be that simple, but that’s what I expect to happen (eventually). India have been poor thus far, which seems incredibly odd after their standout win at Lord’s, but that’s what you get with temperamental developing sides: brilliance, followed by the not so brilliant. Us England fans know the feeling well!
Instead of focussing on yesterday’s action (or lack of it) I’d quickly like to talk about Stuart Broad. Where exactly does Broady stand in the pantheon of England seam bowlers?
Regular readers of this blog will know I’m a little obsessed with the concept of overrated and underrated cricketers. If you had five quid for every time I’ve argued that Cook is a good batsman, but a somewhat overrated one burdened by unfair expectations that don’t reflect his true ability, you’d be a rich man.
Today’s theory is that Stuart Broad is a little underrated. Hear me out …
Before this game James Anderson had taken 371 test wickets at an average of 30.1. Jimmy is considered by many to be the best England fast bowler of modern times.
Similarly, Graeme Swann took 255 test wickets at 30. He’s considered to be an England great too. Many believe he’s the best spinner we’ve had in decades.
Well cop a bit of this: before this game Stuart Broad had taken 255 wickets at 31. That means, in my opinion, he’s just as good as the two mentioned above.
But do people think of Broad as an all time England great? It’s not something you hear often, is it.
Therefore I just want to give Broady some well deserved love. He was excellent in the Ashes debacle last winter – one of the few to emerge in credit – and he seems to win a test for England every summer. He gets on hot steaks and becomes unstoppable when he’s in rhythm.
If his body holds up, he might also go past Ian Botham’s soon to be ex-records.
What do you reckon?
James Morgan
Fair point on Broad, since the start of 2010 he’s taken his wickets@ a shade over 28 and with the bat just over 21. Not an all time great perhaps but a very good player who when fully fit wins matches.
Broad well at times in Australia. Given how the tour went it was really quite commendable. I think one of the reasons England a few times troubled the australoan top order was because of his bowling. If he had had a bit of support Haddin and co probably wouldnt have done as well as they did.
In the same time Jimmy has taken his @27. In fact aside from last year where his wickets cost 31 a piece, the often fanciful Steyn comparisons aren’t as ludicrous as they sound. Until last winters ashes i think it’s fair to say Jimmy had been the clear number 2 seam bowler in world cricket.
Both Anderson and broad have struggled massively against South Africa as it happens…isn’t stats guru bloody brilliant
Well, what can you say? The Alastair Cook Test Match to beat all test matches. Alastair Cook led HIS team with pride and skill. Alastair Cook led HIS team on the field and led HIS team off again. Alastair Cook having scored all of England’s 367 runs then proceeded to take all 20 Indian wickets. Even though one of HIS main bowlers was injured and went to hospital and the other of HIS main bowlers just kept going off the pitch and sitting in the dressing room with no apparent injury Alastair Cook was imperious. Alastair Cook knew the weather might change and limit the match so he deliberately wasted time scoring ‘a few’ more runs just to make sure but that’s okay because this was Alastair Cook’s plan. It was also Alastair Cook’s plan to encourage India to play such a poor match, again, that HE knew HE would win. With the help of a none to sporting crowd and an even less sporting media cavalry Alastair Cook knew this was HIS match. Alastair Cook is psychic as well as England’s most talented , ever, player.
WE HAVE WITNESSED THE DEATH OF TEST CRICKET – THANK YOU ALASTAIR COOK