England are the world's best Test team
England’s comprehensive defeat of India in the Lord’s Test takes them one step closer to becoming the No.1 Test team – they need to win the four-Test series by a two-Test margin to overtake India – but Stephen Brenkley in the Independent reckons
Tariq Engineer
25-Feb-2013
England’s comprehensive defeat of India in the Lord’s Test takes them one step closer to becoming the No.1 Test team – they need to win the four-Test series by a two-Test margin to overtake India – but Stephen Brenkley in the Independent reckons England are already the best team, no matter what the numbers currently say.
England functioned with a resilience and conviction that made them difficult to withstand. From the moment they lost the toss under heavy cloud cover, there were several periods in an engrossing match, which paraded Test cricket in all its glory, when they might have wilted.
But each time, in each of the four innings, they responded as champions do by finding a way, and their exhibition on the final day was relentless. The occasion was uplifted, if it needed it, by an exultant crowd which had turned up spontaneously, rather than having booked tickets months and months in advance.
Also in the Independent, Angus Fraser wonders how India are going to take 20 wickets in a Test, especially if Zaheer Khan continues to miss out.
Dhoni was looking for sympathy following the defeat to an excellent England side, stating his team were unfortunate to lose Zaheer and the absence of the left-armer had a major affect on the game. His comments were, to some extent, correct but little sympathy should be extended to Zaheer or India. The injury was an accident waiting to happen.
In his column for the Daily Mail, Stuart Broad says he has never bowled better than he did at the Lord's Test.
Tariq Engineer is a former senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo