General Zod. wrote:
Of course it's fantastic that the team have humiliated Australia, but the truth is that this Australian side is a total embarrassment of a test team - they're absolutely shocking.
I think a bit of perspective is neded here. Australia are only "shocking" by the high standards they've set for themsleves in the recent past. By "normal" standards they're an ordinary Test side and no worse than many of the England teams they've routinely humbled over the last 15-20 years. Furthermore, whilst they can no longer regain the Ashes they haven't actually lost the current series yet; they can still square the series by winning in Sydney, so England still have plenty to prove by making certain that doesn't happen.
General Zod. wrote:
The real test comes in the Summer when the world's number one team India come these shores - then we'll see how good we really are though I'm hopeful of a series victory with a bit of luck.
Agreed. India are the new yardstick. They won their most recent home and away series against England, and they won their most recent home and away series against Australia. South Africa captain Graeme Smith publicly questioned their ability to win on foreign soil before the current SA v India series began, but India have just hit back to level the scores at one win apiece with one to play.
India look a powerful and well balanced unit, but three of their top batsmen (Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman) are now the wrong side of 35 and I don't think they have the strength in depth in fast bowling that England does. I'm really looking forward to this series, but we still haven't completed the job in Australia yet, and as usual our media are going into self-congratulatory overdrive at the first hint of success.
