So where are we after almost a fortnight of absence? India lost yet another final and came out with more questions than answers. England blew Australia away for most of the fourth test and yet again almost contrived to lose the Ashes in their fourth innings chase. Zimbabwe got humiliated yet again and will probably continue that form into the test series against India. We are into the fourth day of the fifth test has started and rain that threatened to blow at least one Ashes test has finally arrived much to the cheer of the England supporters. So where are we after a fortnight of absence?
Before I decide to lambaste the Indian performance here are a few positives that came out for me. It’s about time Md Kaif gave us a glimpse of what he is actually capable of. He needs a lesson in changing gears but he brings much needed solidity at number 3. Dravid in recent years has become a wonderful finisher and he needs a Yuvraj Singh and a Dhoni coming in at 5 and 6. When Tendulkar returns, the batting order will have a more solid look to it…the only problem being finding a place for the beleaguered Indian captain, whose future is starting to increasingly look dark. The problem with this Indian team has been an unbelievable tendency to swing from brilliant to below mediocre in a space of a few days. And the golden run from 2002 to 2004 seems increasingly just a bright spark but nothing more. The performances of this team have started to resemble some of the frustrating periods in the 90s. Who knows, this might actually be the story of Indian cricket…much like Pakistan cricket or Sri Lankan cricket. Always dangerous, but unlikely to be the best for any sustained period of time.
Very unlike the story of the England team though. This has been a collective rise of 11 individuals on the field to beat a colossus. Michael Vaughan may or may not rise to heights of his watershed Ashes tour down under, but his contribution to this team in a space of 18 months is immeasurable. Under his captaincy Harmison, Flintoff and Jones now form the best pace bowling attack in the world by some distance. Andrew Strauss has become one of the best opening bats in the world. Ashley Giles has thrived with a well-defined role for his limited capabilities and Kevin Pieterson has the license to go out and smash the best without any demons in his mind. And Flintoff! What would teams give to have a player like that? He is the fulcrum around which this England team hinges. England needs to handle him with extreme care if they need him to sustain his brilliance for the next decade. And as the rain falls on the fourth day of the final test, putting out the last of the Australian flame, this England team needs to be lauded and idolized for their efforts. But now comes the pressure of being number 1. There’s only one way to go from there…
So where are we after a fortnight of absence? The world changes for some, and remains the same for others. Much like life itself…
