Many were willing to judge England as a test team after the four match npower test series against India. This is because India are the number one ranked test side. But only after one match it is clear that England are a team on the rise.
All the english players performed a which resulted in a crushing 196-run victory over the tourists.
England lost the toss and put into bat which seemed to be the correct decision after dismissing both openers; Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook for 22 and 12 respectively. Jonathon Trott and Kevin Peiterson undertook the rebuilding. Rain shortened the first day but England finished on 127-2 which considering it was a very overcast day in London was extremely solid.
England resumed with Trott well placed on fifty and Peiterson looking confident after a tricky first day. However Trott failed to add lots of runs to his overnight total getting out lbw on 70. Ian Bell came in to a join a not fluent Peiterson. They had a job to do as a partnership was needed.
This is what occurred but fell just shoet of his half-century edging Kumar to Dhoni on 45. Then Eoin Morgan was removed aswell by Kumar and England were five down and Pradeen Kumar bowling a marvellous spell of swing bowling.
Peiterson however remained very calm and reached his first century for in England for three years. His joy was clear to see. This was his slowest century in his career off over 200 balls. Although it seemed his best century since he battled early on and played very unlike him. Prior at the other end was very good reaching 71 but also fell. England still looked to push on and Peiterson did not disappoint reaching his third double hundred of his career. His second hundred came of only 110 balls showing how he can go through the gears. He hit 21 fours and 1 six ending on 202 not out. After achieving this landmark England declared on 474-8 leaving a short passage of play for India to survive. They came through this and at the close of day 2 India were on 17 for no loss. Day 3 was a sunny day and India were expected to bat well. The start was promising as Mukund raced to 49 and Gambhir played the anchor role. Then Stuart Broad came into bowl who was under pressure as his place in the side had been called into question. It was clear from the start that he had a different approach as he pitching the ball up as opposed to short deliveries. He bowled very well and got his reward getting both openers, bowling them both.
Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid came to the crease. They looked promising but Tendulkar was also removed by Broad. Then due to the excitement of removing the 'little master' Strauss dropped Laxman and Swann dropped the vital wicket of Dravid. Then Laxman was out because of Tremlett's persistent lines and lengths.
Then Swann trapped Raina for a duck. This put India in a spot of bother. Dhoni and Dravid kept fighting getting over 200 but then Tremlett got the break through sending the Indian captain back to the Pavilion. From this moment onwards the Indian innings flopped. Harbajhan Singh was out for a duck off the bowling of Tremlett giving him his third wicket of the match.
Then Broad took Praveen Kumar and Anderson finished off taking 10 and 11. This all happened very quickly but Dravid still had time to get his 33rd century. The Indians were all out for 285 giving England a great first innings lead of 188. Then the English openers had to survive for a couple of minutes. On day four it was obvious what England wanted to do. They wanted quick runs which at 54-1 seemed very likely but then England appeared to have nostalgia and collapsed to 62-5. Morgan and Prior needed to have a large partnership as India could now see victory in their grasp. Their tails went up again when Morgan got out on 19.
Broad took guard on a pair but played brilliantly. Both players had an aggressive approach which gave England time to bowl at India. Prior got a magnificent 100 and Broad finished on 70. Their partnership exceeded the 150 mark. England declared again on 269-6. They had 20 at the end of the day to put pressure on the Indians which they did taking Mukund early. Due to injuries to Gambhir and Tendulkar Dravid opened and Laxman came in at three. They both batted well and survived till the close of play.
At the start of the day India looked solid and determined but then Anderson and Swann bowled very well. They both got rewards; Swann taking Gambhir and Anderson took Dravid, Laxman and the valued wicket of Tendulkar. Then the Indians began to frustrate the English through Raina and Dhoni.
The match entered its final session but because of England scoring quick runs almost a session was added. Tremlett bowled patiently but with a bit of extra bounce got Dhoni caught behind.
This gave England the impitus to get Singh and Kumar. Anderson and broad getting a wicket each.
Anderson then bowled a magic delivery which first moved in towards the batsman and then seamed away from him taking the outside edge of Raina's bat. At this point England only needed one wicket to win in 30 overs.
This was taken by Stuart Broad bowling Sharma. He ended with match figures of 7-94 and Anderson lead the attack brilliantly in the second innings claiming a 5 wicket haul.
England beat Australia convincingly on their turf and now are bossing the world number ones. The future looks bright because of England's young talent and the squad is also young with many years ahead of it and will definitley claim the number one spot in the near future.
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