It feels like an eternity since England have been involved in some Test match cricket, but as the advert says; “all good things come to those who wait”. This summer provides an exciting line-up for Andrew Strauss’ men as Sri Lanka and India provide the opposition.
Despite the relative ease with which England brushed aside Australia in the winter, there is still some way for them to go if they are to achieve their ultimate aim of becoming the best Test side in the World.
Ensure Andy Flower stays
In an attempt to fend off alleged interest from India, rumour has it, the ECB are trying to tie Andy Flower down to a new three-year deal. This can only be good news for fans as the Zimbabwean has been instrumental in England’s recent success in the longer format of the game.
He has taken the side to new heights in terms of overall fitness and fielding. He has smart people around him and that has benefited the players hugely, especially the bowling unit. This was displayed by the extraordinary performance in Australia as England humbled the home side.
It is perhaps his working relationship with Andrew Strauss that is so vital to the England set-up. Strauss may be on his way out as skipper of the ODI side, but there is little chance of anyone else taking control of the Test side for a while yet. Flower and Strauss have an impressive air of calmness and authority. They have a winning formula that England will need to continue if they are to achieve their lofty ambitions.
There may need to be some thought involved about the demands on the England coach. With a young family, it maybe that Flower becomes drained, but last winter’s Ashes tour and subsequent World Cup was not a normal schedule and he should find future tours a bit easier. The good news is that if Flower is remotely tempted by the Indian rupee, he will find the schedule out there no less demanding.
Replacing Paul Collingwood
With Collingwood retiring from the Test side, there’s an opening for a new batsmen. England’s ‘next in the rank’ policy will probably mean that Eoin Morgan comes into the side. However, Morgan doesn’t offer any sort of bowling possibilities. Collingwood was a tidy bowler that offered the potential to snare the odd wicket, albeit used sparingly in the Test arena.
If the selectors opt to look for some occasional bowling within the batting attack, it may open the door for a Test return for Ravi Bopara. The Essex player has been out of the side since the summer of 2009 and splits opinion amongst England fans, but there’s no doubt he has ability, whether it’s ability of international standard remains to be seen though. Leicestershire’s James Taylor and Somerset’s James Hildreth will want to think that they are edging ever closer to a position on the ‘rank’ alongside Morgan, especially, as whisper it quietly, the young Irishman seems to be in wretched form at the moment.
There is likely to be a clamour for the two young all-rounders Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes to be included in an England team at some point this summer. Woakes has already made his first appearance for the ODI team in Australia earlier this year and looks a natural Test match player, but it may not be this summer. The Warwickshire man should find himself a regular fixture in the one-day squad though.
Durham star Stokes is another hugely talented cricketer and England fans will soon find themselves comparing him to Andrew Flintoff with his all action and bustling style. Don’t rule out an ODI debut for the 19-year-old this summer if he continues his good early season form.
Don’t let standards slip
During the Ashes series England’s fielding was amongst the best ever seen by a touring side down under. There wasn’t a single important catch put down, Jonathon Trott’s brilliant run out of Simon Katich in the memorable Adelaide Test showed how England set the tone in the field. All of this is down to the impressive fielding coach England have invested in - Richard Halsall. Initially employed by Peter Moores, the Zimbabwean Halsall has created a world-class fielding unit with this England side in better physical shape than any other.
However, by the time England got to the sub-continent for the World Cup, their fielding was a disaster. The most reliable fielders in the side dropped simple catches and runs were leaked at an alarming rate. If England are to beat Sri Lanka and India this summer, a must if they are to become the number one side any time soon, they will need to be at their very best in the field.
Decide quickly on the bowling line-up
England find themselves in a privileged position with a good handful of quality bowlers to choose from. With only perhaps Graeme Swann guaranteed a place in the starting line-up, there’s the likes of Tim Bresnan, Chris Tredwell, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steve Finn and not to mention Graham Onions fighting for just three seamer positions if, as expected, England retain their four bowler policy.
Having a settled side usually helps to bring results; in the winter when England had to tinker with the side, they got away with having to change the bowling attack, as the Australians were so very poor. With the calibre of batsmen coming to these shores in the summer, it’s unlikely that England will be so lucky again.
The bowling attack will need to be at their best, into the groove and firing on all cylinders. Experimenting against Tendulkar et al will leave England potentially vulnerable with the ball, not something they’ve become accustomed in recent times. Roll on May…