What did we learn from the decidedly one-sided two-test series between England and the West Indies?
Well, first of all we all learnt (if we didn't know it already) that on a decent pitch offering the bowlers even a modicum of help, the West Indies crumble. Which explains their success on the placid tracks of the Carribbean. We also saw a wicket-taking, if expensive, seamer in Graham Onions make his debut and impress, although I am no more knowledgable on Tim Bresnan after two test matches than I was before after his meagre contribution (not his fault, mind).
James Anderson led the bowling attack with aplomb and Graham Swann made Devon Smith his bunny. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not quite his adhesive self although the likes of Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin intermittently impressed. Brendan Nash's honeymoon period in test cricket is over, he makes Paul Collingwood look like Mohammed Yousuf.
In England's batting, the obvious stand-out is Ravi Bopara, who put some decidedly average fast bowling to the sword. Fidel Edwards, first day at Lords apart, played up to his erratic reputation and he went down in a few people's opinions with his antics against James Anderson at Durham. Kevin Pietersen looked out-of-sorts (he'll probably complain about being tired again) while Paul Collingwood showed understandable signs of rust having not been played in the IPL. Alistair Cook an Andrew Strauss showed good form in patches but Cook still looks a little suspect against the swinging ball.
In all you cannot draw too many conclusions with regards to the ashes because the windies were by and large so ordinary. However, England were professional in their approach and commendably ruthless with the ball. Graham Swann, certainly, looks to be the real deal and the premier spinner for the upcoming tests.
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