England have played very well, there's no doubting that.
Both their batting and bowling have been very good. But India have been poor. Injuries have played a part, but the players on the field have not done very well, e.g. M.S Dhoni.

The question is, if we were playing South Africa at the moment, would we be 2-0 up at this stage? I'd guess not.

SA are touring England next year, so that will be the real test.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Tue 2 Aug 2011, 10:58, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

I don't know, if we can beat India at home we can beat anyone at home
A real test would be to play on subcontinent pitches and win. I agree that the Proteas would not have folded so easily after Broad's remarkable spell with the ball on Saturday, and Graeme Smith's field placing wouldn't have been so inept as Dhoni's
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:00, Reply)

Oh, of course dear boy.
Got to beat the best away from home, or you haven't proven anything.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:06, Reply)

We have done well though
Bowling out India's batsmen so cheaply, even without Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhoni (let's be honest), is a hell of an achievement. England got more runs yesterday morning, batting from 7 down to 11, than India managed in the next two sessions with their full XI
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:07, Reply)

This is true
However, playing against a full strength Indian team, in India, with frenzied home support and helpful pitches would be a totally different proposition.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:13, Reply)

Absolutely true
It does make a wonderful change to see an England team replete with world-class players though, as opposed to lobbying for a test to be called off if Gooch/Botham/Gower/Thorpe was injured (delete according to period)
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:17, Reply)

Yes they're playing very well at the moment
My (minor) concerns at the moment are that the openers seem incapable of putting on a decent stand, and Swanny seems to be a bit below par, by his standards.

On the plus side, they're batting well as a team - right down the order, and we seem to have selection problems with the bowlers for the next test in that we have more than 5 competing for 4 slots.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:25, Reply)

I've been worried about Straussy for a while
He really seems to be struggling, but is doing a great job as captain. Once upon a time it might have been prudent to think about who should be captain come the next Ashes series, but we're so far ahead of the Aussies at the moment that it's scarcely a concern.

God that felt good.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:29, Reply)

he wasn't below par.
He was bowling well on the second day, and was decent at Lords. When you can't get the pacemen away, you attack the spinners, and when you don't need long spells from your spinner to skittle a team then it's inevitable that you won't bowl him if he takes some tonk. Swann's game has always been about luring the batsmen into shots, so he's bound to take a bit of hammer every now and again.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:30, Reply)

While you have an entirely valid point
You've just shown why India aren't the best. We're raping them here and SA would do the same in SA. Ergo, they can't beat the best away from home. They have a batting lineup that can't handle pace and bounce, a "world class" spinner who is much use as a chocolate fireguard on non-subcontintent pitches and no pace options past Zaheer and Sharma.

SA are a different kettle of fish, I agree, but our 1-6 matches theirs pretty well, Prior is a better keeper and they don't have a decent spinner. Still, Steyn and Morkel are fucking good. We'll see how that one pans out.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:28, Reply)

A mouthwatering prospect indeed
Steyn is something special, certainly, but I'd rate Jimmy Anderson as highly as Morkel or a good day. And they don't have the depth of bowling that we do.

As usual, I agree with pretty much everything you just said
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:31, Reply)

be interesting to see if (?) Tahir is their first choice by then
Paul Harris is a fucking joke. I get more turn than him.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:34, Reply)

SO DOES THE M1
Not sure. Sorry. Tahir has definite potential, I think our top 6 outshines theirs nowadays though.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:36, Reply)

Do you play much, Mr Badger?
I play for a team over in Dunfermline, and we're always looking for new players. You're in Edinburgh aren't you?
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:49, Reply)

The point I'm making (I think)
is that I don't really consider India to be the best in the world as they struggle to win away from home. South Africa can put on a decent showing pretty much anywhere - hence why next summer will be much more of a challenge for England.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Tue 2 Aug 2011, 11:52, Reply)