Confidence boosted and some lessons learned
If the 1st Test against West Indies has taught us anything it is that test cricket doesn’t care a damn about reputations. Two of the worlds finest batsmen, Kevin Pietersen and Shiv Chanderpaul, faced just 7 deliveries between them, whilst it was the likes of Swann and Onions who took the limelight.
So what have we learned over the last three days? Derek Pringle, in the Telegraph, thinks very little, but there are a few things that we can ponder over.
Firstly, the main plus has to be the performance of Ravi Bopara. The selectors had little to lose in giving Bopara a try against West Indies. If he had failed, they still have Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan to turn to. But his success here, with a batting performance under pressure that Bell has rarely produced, gives them another option and could present the selectors with a solution to the number 3 position that has been doing the rounds since Mark Butcher relinquished it in 2004.
What impresses most with Bopara is his mindset – he seems to possess that touch of self-belief-bordering-on-arrogance that so many of the best sportsmen have, but that has been so lacking in English cricketers in recent years. Against Australia, that could be an invaluable trait to have.
What about the bowling? Graeme Swann has very quickly become England’s no. 1 spinner, and again showed an ability to out-fox top quality batsmen. That he bowls so well to left-handers is crucial, particularly with the Ashes in view – Australia have a number of left-handed players. His batting is also a big plus, and was key to England being able to establish their dominance in this test.
Graham Onions enjoyed a good debut, and will get another chance at Durham to show what he can do. With concerns over Andrew Flintoff’s fitness, and with Harmison and Sidebottom now on the sidelines, his emergence gives the selectors another option. He will face sterner tests, but the early signs are promising.
This result also puts into perspective the improvement made by West Indies. They have some good players, but their approach is lackadaisical and their preparation for this series has been appalling. That, combined with conditions completely alien to most of the squad, meant that they always faced an uphill battle.
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