England Celebrate Deserved Success
Saturday, January 08, 2011 : The Ashes, Tests
After growing up watching successive England sides crushed by Australia – home and away – this winter’s Ashes series is especially sweet.
More than a generation have been born and grown up since Mike Gatting led England to victory in 1989, their childhood spoilt by defeat after humiliating defeat, admittedly by an Aussie team that can rightly side alongside the greatest of all time.
Those following the latest scores over the years believe that the 2006/07 series was perhaps the turning point. It was the lastvengeful hurrah from the Aussie old guard. The likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Justin Langer, stung by that defeat in 2005, restored order in empathic style, the 5-0 defeat a tough one to take for every English cricket fan.
Following on from such a dominant team was always going to be tough for the next generation of Aussie cricketers. But their struggles are not all of their own making – they have been beaten by a very, very good England side.
The reversal in fortunes in startling. All I heard growing up was how ruthless Australia were with the bat, how accurate they were with their ball and how organised they were in the field. The Aussies never missed a catch, a run out chance, or a stumping. They never gave you a chance.
Now it is England and those following their latest cricket scores who can make such grand claims. Their meticulous preparation has resulted in a near flawless performance across all areas of the game. They had the Aussies pinned to the floor and never relented.
But 2006/07 should still not be forgotten. Success went to their heads after 2005 and focus was lost, with disastrous results. Andrew Strauss is right to look forward, with the world’s number one test team India lying in wait in the summer the challenge is on to try and become the best there is.
But with this winter marking seven test series without defeat – their best run since 1979 – it is a challenge they will relish and tackle with gusto.
Next Article:
It Was No Third Man Wot Won It!
Previous Article:
Aussie Squad for Sydney
All Articles