England must be ruthless in Sydney
England may have regained the Ashes, going into the Sydney Test, but Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss have to reassemble their troops after the new year celebrations down by the Harbour bridge, and refocus on what this match really means writes Mike
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
England may have regained the Ashes, going into the Sydney Test, but Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss have to reassemble their troops after the new year celebrations down by the Harbour bridge, and refocus on what this match really means writes Mike Selvey in the Guardian.
Since the Bodyline series only Len Hutton's 1954-55 tourists and those of Mike Brearley in 1978-79, who took on a side devastated by World Series cricket, have won three or more Tests in a series in Australia. Unless the weather interferes, the coach and captain will accept nothing less. This is the match in which they can demonstrate a ruthlessness that despite their considerable achievements, they have yet to demonstrate to the full.
Nasser Hussain in the Daily Mail says that England have one more task before the Ashes is over: they must crush Australia while they are down and leave them in a state of turmoil.
Back to the Guardian and Duncan Fletcher says that right through the series, England have played on the Australians' aggressiveness by testing their ability to play patiently through the tough sessions and it is England captain Andrew Strauss who deserves a lot of credit for that.
If his decision‑making is still improving, his man-management is superb. Given the furore that accompanied his appointment, it is likely that some of the players would have had doubts about whether he was the right man to lead the team. They do not any more.
James Anderson's contribution to England's success in this series has been immense, says Simon Briggs in the Daily Telegraph. Since the retirement of Darren Gough, no single bowler has won more matches for England than James Anderson.
Now he is England’s main man, and a successful summer will see him overtake all the heroes of 2005 in the Test wickets table. What’s more, he has joined John Snow, Frank Tyson and a couple of others on a short and exclusive list – English bowlers who have led their side to success Down Under.
Perhaps he will never be mythologised in the way given to nasty fasties like Freddie Flintoff and Typhoon Tyson. But, over the last six weeks, the Admirable Anderson has performed his job to perfection.
Akhila Ranganna is assistant editor (Audio) at ESPNcricinfo