So, for a good few years now, England has been making headway in the world of Test Cricket. It is not as flashy or as exciting as the one day game with its World Cup which is a highly sought after trophy, or the new shorter cousin of twenty20 Cricket.
However, it is the full 5 day Test match which is seen as the pinnacle. Being number one in the Test rankings is pretty much the bee-all and end-all of Cricket.
And England are now number one! A good run of Tests has seen England steadily make headway up the rankings lists. Whilst the run has not been a total blaze of glory, it has seen England reverse some historic runs against. For example, the one Test series that all in England want to win is the Ashes against Australia.
Back in 2005 England managed to cap a climb up a tough mountain with a hard fought victory in the 2005 Ashes series 2-1. Unfortunately, the following 2006-2007 campaign saw Australia thump England to take the series in a 5-0 whitewash.
However, England continued to improve by reclaiming the Ashes back once more in England with a tough 2-1 victory. What then marked England as a team in the ascendancy was the fact that England managed to hold on to the Ashes in the following series by defeating Australia IN Australia 3-1.
Wind the clock on to 2011. India had claimed the 2011 World Cup with a remarkable victory, especially with the final being played in India. India, riding high on top of the tree as the World Champions and ranked number 1 in the Test rankings.
However, India arrived in England straight from a tough Test series in the West Indies. Also, India did not prepare properly for their series. Very few warm up matches where scheduled, and not a lot of time was allowed for proper practice to get used to the conditions in England. After all, they had just stepped off the plane from a long tour in the West Indies, which features dry pitches, and warm weather. And in England, well, not so much...
Well, this lack of preparation has hurt India. I wont go into detail, too much, but suffice to say, England has taken the top spot. The first Test saw England defeat India by a handsome 319 run margin. The second Test was something of a blowout. Defeating India by an innings and 242 runs.
for those who dont know, in Test cricket, over the 5 days, both teams have to bat twice (2 innings each). Now, usually one team bats until they decide to stop, or they have all been bowled out. Then its the other guys turn. Then back again, and so on.
However, should the first team post a truly massive score, and then limit the other side to a dismal first score themselves, such that they fall far short of the initial score, they can force the other team to bat on. In other words, they declare that "our first score is so big, we think you will need 2 goes to reach it!"
Unfortunately for India, England mounted a gigantic score of 710 declared, and skittled India for 224 in their first innings. Then, forced to follow on, India posted a slightly better score of 244. The combined total fell far short of Englands, and England did not need their second innings.
This has given England the points they need to rise to the top of the tree.
And, as we speak, England have posted 591 for 6 in the third Test, in their first innings, but rain has stopped play! Surprise there.
However, what prompted me to write this was a comment from the British Prime Minister, David Cameron.
During a phone call with President Obama, Cameron could not resist a prideful boast and declared England to be the best Cricketing nation! Which is right.
However, Obama retorted that its like saying America is number one at Baseball, and gave the game to the world!
One tiny problem with that...
Thats Japan with the World Baseball Classic trophy. Which they have won. Twice.
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