Wow, in terms of announcements, that was quite literally like screaming Englands ascension to the games summit from all the roof tops. Ruthlessly whitewashing India 4 nil. In one of the most complete performances seen in a good long while.
So here are the player ratings :
England (14 players used)
Andrew Strauss (C)
In a batting line up that were so dominant against the toothless Indian attack, Strauss was one of the few that didn't cash in. His only got past 50 once, and averaged a rather disappointing 38.16. So hardly impressive.
His dual role of Captaincy was hard to assess, for England was so comprehensively on top for the large part of the series
Rating - 4/10 : Against this very weak batting line up should have been more of a factor
Alastair Cook
In his 6 innings, he scored 348 runs, for which he scored 294 in one innings. So in the other 5 only scored 54 runs. So though he had a very respectable series average of 58. It was very much padded by one huge score.
My nitpicking aside, that huge innings was key in a Test win, and underlined what an exceptional temperament and adherence to old style basics. That Cook has built his game around.
Rating - 6/10 : Adequate, but not to his previous lofty standards.
Ian Bell
This young batsmen, who had the huge reputation in his youth is now delivering on that potential. On watching him in this series, you can see that he has all the tools to be viewed as one of the best batsmen in the game. Whether in defence or in attack, he showed his expertise. Then gained great respect by replacing the stricken Jonathan Trott at 3, and dominating in that role.
Rating - 8.5/10 : Great young player.
Kevin Pietersen
The moody genius of World cricket in Pietersen decided to put on a real show in this series. Then in the face of it, and his intimidation of bowlers he takes England to a different level all together. Fantastic series with 2 centuries and an average of 106. 6 devastating the Indian bowlers.
Rating - 9/10 : Fantastic, showing a return to his glory days.
Ravi Bopara
Two Tests, and in truth his position should have gone to James Taylor. Who is the future of England cricket, rather than Bopara, who in this very strong English era isn't up to the mark.
Rating - 4/10 : Not Test class.
Eoin Morgan
I'm very proudly Irish, so it hurts me to be critical of my own, but I don't think Morgan has the game to succeed in Test cricket. His technique smacks of one that is perfectly suited for the shorter games, but exposed in the real stuff.
Hopefully he proves me wrong, but his 194 runs in 6 innings against such a weak bowling line up doesn't inspire faith in him.
Rating - 3/10 : Determined and dedicated lad, but at present lacks Test class.
Matt Prior
The best keeper/batsmen in the game, and arguably the reincarnation of the presence that the immortal Alan Knott had in the England Team. In regards to brilliant behind the stumps, and with the bat never lets the Team down. In a crisis, you know he will perform
Rating - 9/10 : Exceptional player.
Tim Bresnan
In his two Tests in this series with both bat and ball, he was truly exceptional. Then with the ball, he had that happy knack of getting the key wickets, like in the last Test with Tendulkar. Also with the bat, truly brilliant.
Rating - 9/10 : Very big hearted and skilled performer.
Stuart Broad
We all wanted him dropped before the series, and didn't he leave us with egg all over our faces!
If Bresnan was exceptional with both bat and ball, then Broad was better. Some of his displays were truly from the top shelf of skill. Especially his counter attacking innings in the 2nd Test, when England were in real soup. If his form stands, he could be the games next superstar, having the World at his feet at 25
Rating - 10/10 : Perfection.
Graeme Swann
Struggled mightily in the first three Tests, but commandeered the win in the last Test with 9 wickets for the match. A very respectable off spin bowler that always gives his all, and completes the English attack beautifully.
Rating - 5/10 : Dreadful in first 3 Tests, but match winner in the last- so a pass mark.
James Anderson
Lead the attack beautifully showing that in English conditions, he is a master with his ability to swing the ball. Also incorporating a bit of cut into his bowling too. Making him a more complete performer
Rating - 8/10 : Very fine.
Jonathan Trott
Strangely for the prolific Trott, he struggled in the two Tests he played, and eventually was missing in the last two Tests with a shoulder injury
Rating - 4/10 : Not up to his lofty standing
Chris Tremlett
Played 1 Test where he was serviceable, rather than devastating. Then injured!
Rating - 5/10 : Ok
India (16 players used)
Virender Sehwag
Obviously effected by injury in the two Tests he played making him a virtual non event. A King pair in the 3rd Test and not much more in the 4th.
Rating - 2/10 : Injured, but very disappointing.
Gautam Gambhir
Like Sehwag, was effected by injuries, but him missing the crucial 2nd Test due to an elbow bruise, when India really needed him. Made a few lose respect for him. Didn't get past 50 in the series, that was due to his misfortune, but also his lack of mastery of the conditions.
Rating - 3/10 : Should never have missed the 2nd Test, and form dreadful throughout.
Rahul Dravid
The only batsmen who excelled and he truly dominated. 3 tons in 4 test proves his worth as probably the best overseas player India have at the moment.
Rating - 11/10 : Better than perfect.
Sachin Tendulkar
At time looked his usual sublime self, and was unfortunate to be run out in the cruellest of fashion in the 3rd test. When he looked great. Though for most of the series struggled, and even in the last Test where he got 91. It was a very scratchy and fortunate innings.
Rating - 3/10 : For a man with Tendulkar's reputation, he was very disappointing, in a series where his Team really needed him.
VVS Laxman
I'm the hugest VVS fan, but he looked very average in this series. Getting caught three times from playing the pull, a shot that he is a true master at. Then also struggling in his move from 5 to 3 in the line up. Sadly in the wake of this whitewash, Laxman might be made the scapegoat.
Rating - 2/10 : Very disappointing for the 'Very Very Special' one.
Suresh Raina
'Don't send boys to do a mans job.........'
Thats what I think of when I look at Raina in regards to, don't send an Odi player, and expect him to do ok in the mans arena-Tests.
Rating - 0/10 : Should never play for India again in Tests.
M.S.Dhoni
In his three roles, these are my judgements.
Keeping- Incompetent ( -1/10 )
Batting- Ok in 1 Test ( 2/10 )
Captaincy- Should be sacked ( -2/10 )
Rating - -1/10 ( minus one ) : Take up bowling or go and be an ODI/T20 specialist.
Amit Mishra
He batted better than most of the batsmen, pity his bowling was so dreadful.
Rating - 2/10 : Need to learn the tricks from Jumbo.
R.P.Singh
Overweight and out of practice, duly a non factor.
Rating - 0/10 : Epitomised the Indian brain trust, flying in an out of shape RP Singh, rather than giving Munaf Patel a chance.
Sreesanth
At times looked very threatening, and there is no doubt that the lad has skill. Though severely lacks patience and temperament. Duly making him so frustrating by how inconsistent he is.
Rating - 3/10 : Very disappointing.
Ishant Sharma
Struggled with having to lead the attack in Zaheer Khan's absence. At times he was very effective, but for the most was just money for old rope for the English batting
Rating - 3/10 : Like Sreesanth, a huge disappointment.
Zaheer Khan
Very out of shape and duly injured in 1st Test.
Rating - 0/10 : Showed little respect for Test cricket or India by turning up in the shape he was. It was like he had been on a steady diet of butter chicken.
Yuvraj Singh
'Dont send boys to do a mans job'
Meaning excelling in Odis means nothing when put in Tests- duly Yuvraj was like a dead man walking
Rating - 0/10 : When will Nations learn that a player performing well in ODIs should be given scant regard when choosing a Test team?
Harbhajan Singh
Rubbish and should be pensioned off by India.
Rating - -2/10 : For such an accomplished bowler, he was just pure toiletry.
Praveen Kumar
One of the few bright lights for India. A traditional old style swing bowler, who threatened all the English batsmen. Then as a lower order batsman, he put his heart into all his innings.
In truth, he shamed all his team mates with his application, care, determination and 100% effort.
Rating - 9/10 : Great performance.
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