England's batting bowlers

England’s current wealth of fast bowling resources is one of their biggest advantages, if not their biggest advantage. What makes it even more of a decisive edge is that most of the bowlers know how to use a cricket bat as well. Stuart Broad played two vital innings in each of the first two Tests against India, while Tim Bresnan’s 90 at Trent Bridge punished a flagging attack and made sure there was no let-up after centurion Ian Bell was dismissed. In the Guardian, Vic Marks reckons this “band of batting bowlers” will be around for a long time.

By contrast in 2011, England have Bresnan and Broad at No8 and No9 (with Swann to follow) and they provide a magnificent insurance policy. Recently only the South Africa side at the turn of the century, with so many all-rounders down the order, could rival this depth of batting.