Beating India 3-0 in front of the Barmy Army at a packed Edgbaston ensured that they would win the series against India by at least 2 Tests and with it replacing them as the number 1 side in the world.
The question is, how in just 2 and a half years have they moved from the 6th best side to world number 1?
2009 West Indies v England.
England started their second innings 74 runs behind the WI's and were dismissed for there 3rd lowest ever Test score of just 51 all out. Andrew Strauss admitted that as a unit England were not good enough. Losing by an innings to the West Indies was an outcome no-one ever expected.
Strauss's captaincy was called into question in the Tests at Antigua and Trinidad as on both occasions declarations by England were left far to late with England in strong positions. However a negative mind set and a lack of brave captaincy from Strauss led to England running out of time to force victory.
Results:
1st TEST - JAMAICA - WI WON BY INNS & 23 RUNS
2nd TEST - ANTIGUA - MATCH DRAWN
3rd TEST - ANTIGUA - MATCH DRAWN
4th TEST - BARBADOS - MATCH DRAWN
5th TEST - TRINIDAD - MATCH DRAWN
WEST INDIES WON SERIES 1-0, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 6th
England's Rise To The Top
After the defeat to the West Indies Andy Flower was confirmed as the England coach by the ECB and from here is where England started their charge to become the number 1 Test side in just 2 and a half years.
2009 - England v West Indies
Almost straight after the tour of the West Indies, the same series was re-played. However this time it was in England and just 2 Test matches were contested. With Strauss (captain) and Flower (coach) now very much in control England comfortably won the series 2-0 and moved up to 5th in the Test rankings. 8 players in the England squad for this series also feature in this years current series against India and show that the key to England's dominance was the solid backbone of the squad that had been formed.
1st TEST - LORDS - ENGLAND WON BY 10 WICKETS
2nd TEST - CHESTER-LE-STREET - ENGLAND WON BY AN INNS & 83 RUNS
ENGLAND WON SERIES 2-0, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 5th
After this series was England's first real test. The previous Ashes series in Australia saw England thumped 5-0 under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff, many saw this as the death and ultimate humiliation of English cricket.
2009 ASHES ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA
The series saw the first ever Test match played in Wales, at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff and will forever be remembered as Monty's last stand. England drew the match thanks to a last wicket stand by James Anderson and Month Panesar who had to survive 69 deliveries between them. Where many England teams would have collapsed without a fight, this England team were made of sterner stuff.
They won the second Test at Lords while the rain-affected third Test at Edgbaston was drawn. The fourth Test at Headingley saw England suffer one of their worst results for many years as they were heavily defeated by an innings. The series was decided at the Oval where England had to win to regain the Ashes. Thanks to arguably Stuart Broad's most inspired innings of bowling and a debut century for Jonathan Trott England won by 177 runs.
The impact of Stuart Broad in the 5th Test was incredible. After being chosen as the man to replace Matthew Hoggard who was controversially dropped by the England selectors it took the young man a while to find his feet. But at the exact time England needed someone to steam in and inspire - just like Andrew Flintoff of time gone by - Broad stepped up to the mark. He finished with his 3rd Test 5 wicket haul and figures of 5-37 off 12 overs.
1ST TEST - CARDIFF - MATCH DRAWN
2nd TEST - LORDS - ENGLAND WON 115 RUNS
3rd TEST - EDGBASTON - MATCH DRAWN
4th TEST - HEADINGLEY - AUSTRALIA WON BY AN INNS AND 80 RUNS
5th TEST - OVAL - ENGLAND WON BY 177 RUNS
ENGLAND WON THE SERIES 2-0 AND REGAINED THE ASHES. ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 5th
2009/2010 SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND
England's winter schedule saw them travel to South Africa to battle out a 4 match Test Series.
The first test in Centurion finished in a dramatic draw. With 1 over left of England's second innings all South Africa had to do was get the final wicket of number 11 Graeme Onions, however they failed and England managed to avoid the worse outcome of losing the first Test.
The second Test saw England start to turn the screw on the South African's and showed aiming for the number 1 spot was not just a dream as they won by an innings and 98 runs. England made a big 574-9 thanks to hundreds from both Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell. Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann took 9-97 between them to bowl the South Africans out for 133 and give England an innings and 98 run win. The third Test finished in another draw.
With the possibility of a series victory against one of the worlds strongest sides just 5 days away England went into the final test needing just a draw. However they self-destructed. England were bowled out for 180 thanks to a five wicket haul from Dale Steyn for just 51 runs. South Africa made 423 for 7 and demolished England again for just 169 to set-up an innings and 74 run win, levelling the series at 1-1.
1st TEST - CENTURION - MATCH DRAWN
2nd TEST - DURBAN - ENGLAND WON BY AN INNS & 98 RUNS
3rd TEST - CAPE TOWN - MATCH DRAWN
4th TEST - JOHANNESBURG - SOUTH AFRICA WON BY AN INNS & 74 RUNS
SERIES DRAWN 1-1, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 5th
2010 - BANGLADESH V ENGLAND
A controversial tour as Andrew Strauss decided not to tour and the captaincy was given to Alastair Cook.
As it was England went on to comfortably win the 2 Test series 2-0.
2010 - ENGLAND V BANGLADESH
Before the English summer got into full flow England had another 2 Test series against Bangladesh which many saw as just a warm-up. Just like on their travels England eased to another 2-0 victory.
ENGLAND WON THE SERIES 2-0, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 4th
2010 - ENGLAND V PAKISTAN
A four match series again Pakistan was seen by many as the biggest challenge England had faced since the Ashes. The challenge was not evident in the first Test at Trent Bridge as England ran out comfortably victors with a winning margin on 354. Pakistan were dismissed for 182 in their first innings with Jimmy Anderson taking 5-54. Their fight was no more evident in the second innings as England ran through them for just 80 runs - their lowest total against England ever. Anderson finishing with figures of 11-71 in the match.
The second Test was won just as comfortably as Pakistan failed with the bat for the third innings in a row. 72 and 296 all out was easily chased down by England who made 251 and 118-1 to wrap up a 9 wicket victory.
The Oval Test, the third in the series finally brought Pakistan to life. England made just 233 in their first innings thanks mainly to Matt Prior (84 not out) and Stuart Broad (48). Pakistan made 308 with Swann taking 4-68 and his 10th wicket of the series. England's second innings was 11 runs worse than their first as Alastair Cook 110 was the only batsman to offer resistance. Pakistan needed just 41.4 overs to get the required 148 runs to capture a 4 wicket win.
The third Test was just a blip in form as England hit back at Lord's to capture an Innings and 225 run win to secure the series 2-1. England only needed to bat once as they made 446 all out, and steam rolled Pakistan for 74 and 147 all out. Jonathan Trott was the pick of the batsman with 184 and Swann with the ball claiming match figures of 9 for 74 from 21.5 overs.
ENGLAND WON THE SERIES 3-1, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 4th.
2010/2011 ASHES - AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND
England went into the winter of 2011 full of confidence after their recent Test record. However with it brought the Ashes battle down under. Despite the know-how of how to beat the Australians having won the last 2 Ashes series in England they still had the memory of being embarrassed 5-0 when they last toured Australia.
This time was very different.
The first Test in Brisbane could not have started worse for England as they lost Andrew Strauss after just the 3rd ball for 0. They did however show some grit and determination as they battled their way to 260. Australia batted comfortably to make 481 with both Swann and Finn conceding over 100 runs each. Then the match turned dramatically as England and Alastair Cook broke numerous records as they posted a mammoth 517-1. Andrew Strauss 100. Alastair Cook 235 not out and Jonathan Trott 135 not out. The latter two putting on a partnership of 329. Australia again were comfortable as they made 107-1 on a Brisbane pitch that had turned flat and was a true batting paradise.
The second Test was completely different as England dominated from start to finish. Australia made 245 all out which included a golden duck for Ricky Ponting as Anderson took 4 wickets. England batted again and batted superbly as they made 620-5 again showing that they only look to bat once in a Test match, Cook this time making 148. But it was Pieterson who stole the show with 227. Bollinger, Siddle and Doherty all going for well over 100 runs apiece. Despite showing some resilience second time round, Graeme Swann took 5 wickets as Australia were bowled out for 304 setting up an innings victory.
A change of momentum occurred in the third Test as England were brought back down to Earth with a bump. Australia made 268 and 309, whereas England managed just 187 and 123, many people started to think England were going to crumble like they had for the previous 24 years in Australia.
However the public and pundits could not have been more wrong. The Boxing day Test, the Melbourne Test, the Australian Test - however this year things were very different. Day 1 and the England pace attack destroyed the Australian batting line-up as they were dismissed for 98. Trott's 168 not out helped England to a total of 513 despite Peter Siddle picking up 6-75. Australia made 258 in their second innings however it did not stop England cruising to an innings and 157 run victory. Melbourne had finally been conquered.
The turn of the year brought with it the 5th and final Test of the series in Sydney with England needing to avoid defeat to win the Ashes back and for the first time in Australia for 24 years. With many use to England falling to defeat when they are so close to victory nobody gave them much hope. This England team had other ideas. Bowling first England restricted Australia to a modest 280 with the pace bowlers doing the damage again. 189 from Alastair Cook got England off to a solid start and 115 and 118 from Bell and Prior respectively got England to a massive 644 all out. England once again restricted Australia to just 281 to not only win the Test but also the Series and with it retained the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 24 years.
ENGLAND WON THE SERIES 3-1 AND RETAINED THE ASHES, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 3rd.
THE FINAL ACT
2011 - ENGLAND V SRI-LANKA
A three Test series against Sri-Lanka was all that was left for England before they finally took on the number 1 Test side in the World, India. Despite dismal weather through the series England did manage to force a result.
The first Test, despite being heavily affected by rain ended with the most unlikeliest of victories for England by an innings and 14 runs. Sri-Lanka managed 400 all out with England making 496-5 in reply, a lead of 95 runs. However the rain then continued to fall. However at 2.02pm on the fifth and final day the umpires decided conditions had improved and the Test would be played to a finish with a draw the only apparent result. Then Sri-Lanka collapsed. Swann and Tremlett took 4 wickets each in just 17 overs as Sri-Lanka were blown away for just 82, therefore gifting England one of the most dramatic victories ever.
The second and third Tests at Lords and the Rose Bowl were both heavily affected by wet weather and ultimately both finished in draws giving England another series victory.
1st TEST - CARDIFF - ENGLAND WON BY AN INNS & 114 RUNS
2nd TEST - LORD'S - MATCH DRAWN
3rd TEST - ROSE BOWL - MATCH DRAWN
ENGLAND WON SERIES 1-0, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 3rd
2011 - ENGLAND V INDIA
Finally the India series was upon England. The biggest series of all that would give England the chance to dismantle India as the worlds number 1 Test side and replace them themselves. However to do so they would need to win by 2 clear Tests.
The series could not have started better for England. Kevin Pieterson made 202 not out as England helped themselves to runs and made 474-8 declared. India's world-class but ageing batting line-up failed to pose England many problems at the first time of asking as they were swept aside for 286. England made a fluent 269-6 before again declaring and bowled India out for 260 with Anderson 5-65 leading England to victory and putting them 1-0 up in the series.
To Trent Bridge and England's winning margin was even greater. Despite trailing by 67 runs going into their second innings England did not panic and a majestic 159 from Ian Bell and 90 from Tim Bresnan helped England to 544 all-out second time around. Bresnan followed up his batting heroics by taking 5-48 in just 12 overs as England restricted India to just 158 giving them a 319 run victory and putting them 2-0 in the fur Test series.
The third Test at Edgbaston and this time the winning margin for England was by an innings and 242 runs. India once again failed to post a total over 300 as England's seamer's tour through them in just 62.2 overs making just 224. Alastair Cook finally found some form as he fell just 6 short of 300 runs as he fell for 294. Eoin Morgan made 104 as England racked up 710-7 declared. Any hope of India saving the Test match and forcing a draw was distinguished almost immediately as Sehwag on his Test return went for another golden duck leaving him with a king pair. It took just 55.3 overs for England to dismiss the Indian's for 244 securing an innings and 242 victory and with that becoming the world number 1 Test side.
The series finale at The Oval followed the same familiar pattern as the three previous Tests. England once again showed their superiority in batting, bowling and fielding. Ian Bell hit 235 whilst batting at number three in place of the injured Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pieterson made 175 as England posted another imposing total of 591-6 declared. India finally showed some resistance with the bat as they finally scored 300 for the first time, much owing to an unbeaten 146 by Dravid. It was not however enough to stop the follow-on being enforced. Graeme Swann finally produced some top-class spin bowling with figures of 6-106 setting up an innings and 8 runs victory.
1st TEST - LORD'S - ENGLAND WON BY 196 RUNS
2nd TEST - TRENT BRIDGE - ENGLAND WON BY 319 RUNS
3rd TEST - EDGBASTON - ENGLAND WON BY AN INNS & 242 RUNS
4th TEST - THE OVAL - ENGLAND WON BY AN INNS & 8 RUNS
ENGLAND WON THE SERIES 4-0, ENGLAND WORLD RANKING 1st
What does the future holds for England?
England's next Test series is not until January 2012 when they will be playing Pakistan. The series will consist of 3 Tests. However it will not be contested in Pakistan, the venue will be the United Arab Emirates. This series will see the return of Andrew Strauss as captain as he no longer plays limited over cricket which takes up England's schedule between now and the turn of the year. No disrespect to Pakistan cricket but England will see this as a warm-up series for bigger challenges that are to come later in the year. However this will not show in their cricket or squad selection as they will endeavour to keep winning Test series and show they can stay as the world's number 1 Test side.
Sri-Lanka is the next and final stop on England's winter tour where they will be contesting 2 Tests. Despite comfortably beating SL in England this year the wickets on the sub-continent will be much more suited to Sri-Lanka. Graeme Swann will have to be on top form with the ball if England are realistically going to take 20 wickets in a Test on what are certain to be batting and spin friendly wickets.
England's 2012 summer will start against the West Indies who are in England to play 3 a three Test series. Back at home the England pace attack will welcome the hard and bouncy wickets and will be confident of taking 20 wickets without too many problems. Superb batting conditions and a relatively weak WI's bowling attack should set-up a comfortable victory and no doubt Strauss and Flower will be aiming for a 3-0 whitewash.
England's biggest Test to keep hold of their number 1 ranking will be in July when South Africa come over for a three Test series. SA are currently 2nd in the rankings and many believe are the only team in Test cricket at the moment that can pose any serious threat to England's winning ways. A strong batting, bowling and fielding side they should match England toe-to-toe through the whole series. A win for England, which would be their best arguably since the 2005 ashes against Australia, will be what Strauss and his men are aiming for, but they will need the whole team to make an input and some luck along the way.
The year finishes with 4 Tests against India although this time England are touring. The wickets will be favourable to the Indian batsman and bowlers. Spinning wickets and lack of bounce will mean that England's tall pace attack will struggle. The batsman who like to attack will have to be more cautious and England will have to be accept that all 5 days will be needed to win a Test match. On the plus side for England the Indian squad will be another year older and ultimately may not pose any more threat then they did in England this year where they were whitewashed 4-0.
Will England still be the number 1 Test side by the end of 2012?
Apart from the challenge of South Africa I believe England will still be the number 1 side. Australia are still rebuilding their squad, India showed that their Test cricket is in awful shape at the moment and a year is not long enough to sort out all the problems. South Africa have a quality squad and are deservedly the 2nd best side in the world. However England do have some breathing space and it would have to be a disastrous 2012 for them to be knocked off the top of the Test rankings.
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