Interesting series. Rather a lot of dullness sandwiched between a couple of tremendously exciting days. First up, the West Indies bowlers saved all their good stuff for one session (and a bit) and rock n rolled England for f*ck all to win the first test by an innings +. Then, there was the debacle of Antigua, England’s ponderous tactics in Antigua part II, rather a lot of batting, interesting umpiring decisions, interesting referrals, Beefy going nuts about everything on Sky, then England almost forcing an unlikely series draw.
What do we know now that we may not have been sure about before:
1. Harmy is not very good away from home
2. England is over-reliant on Flintoff
3. Flintoff is an injury liability
4. Anderson blows hot and cold
5. England’s bowling attack is at best average
6. England’s batting can score runs on flat decks against poor bowlers
7. Monty is not great and neither is Sidebottom
8. Strauss is a thoroughly decent chap and probably a good captain
9. Ian Bell is over-rated
10. Owais Shah is the best batsman in the world when he’s not in the team, and a dodgy runner when he is
March 10, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Roll on the Ashes!
March 11, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Harsh re. Anderson.
I thought he bowled tremendously well most of the time and was entitled to a shed load of wickets. Throw in the fact that he is an outstanding fielder and I’ll be really annoyed if he isn’t facing the aussies come July.