One of the greatest weapons for a team to succeed in any format of the game is to have a solid top-start and England after the retirement of Marcus Trescothick have lacked one. They tried with Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Owais Shah but met with reasonable success only.

Plus England lack the firepower in their bowlers to consistent rattle the opposition batsman and that can be dangerous for a side that ‘dreams’ of going over the top.
With Andrew Strauss doing everything humanly possible to salvage some pride (Is there anything left), it will take a lot of effort from the Englishmen to stitch together a strong order and put together the missing pieces in order to face the strong Sri Lankan in their first match at the Champions Trophy.

England have never won any major one-day tournament and they came closest to in 2004 when they lost West Indies in the final of the Champions Trophy — not to mention their World Cup ODI final appearances thrice and losing all the three.
England’s side for the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was the best they ever had. At the top, they had Graham Gooch and Alec Stewart (who doubled up as a keeper too) and then had Robin Smith, Allan Lamb, Neil Fairbrother and with the middle-order having the legendary Ian Botham. Also, they had bowlers such as Chris Lewis, Derek Pringle who were more than handful on the bouncy pitches in Australia.
Over the years, there have been many Englishmen but the most noteworthy of them have been Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff — both having the ability to change matches single-handedly. Needless to say, they both will be missed on conditions which favour them the most.
The current English line-up offers no surprises whatsoever for the spectators and it will be interesting to see if they manage to surprise Lanka in their opener.

For starters, it is a five-day format that will test the physical standards and mental levels of a cricketer and put to examination the concentration levels at the highest level of the game. Secondly, any team which has not had a good start—can still dream, play hard and win the Test—something neither Twenty20s nor ODIs can offer.

Thirdly, ask any cricketer who has been on the international cricket circuit for decades–he will vouch for the ‘FULFILLMENT’ that comes by scoring runs or taking a five-wicket haul in Tests. No question about it.

The immense satisfaction that comes by winning a Test series can’t be compared to anything else in the orb for the true sportsman.
However, this is not to say that ODIs or Twenty20 cricket aren’t good or worse. England’s talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff  retired from Tests after the Ashes 2009 only to concentrate on ODIs and T20s.

So, you have both sides to a coin. The T20 prodigies would vouch for the fact the shortest format to the game has given opportunity to so many players who were unknown just months ago and are adorning the walls of fans today–not to mention getting to represent their country on the international scene. Names of Pragyan Ojha, Yusuf Pathan comes to the mind immediately. 

The comparison must never exist in anyone’s mind but tell this to a purist—chances are that you will get a cold stare. It is now the responsibility of every player, administrator and viewer to not get the comparison go into anyone’s head and let the three formats exist in harmony. But will this happen?

For the time being, we see players increasingly under pressure to perform in all formats—resulting in injuries and hence ditching one format to embrace another.

In the game of switching your loyalties from one format, it is even stevens for now!

The 31-year-old underwent an operation after retiring from Test cricket following England’s 2-1 Ashes series win over Australia.

Flintoff, who has said he wants to continue his one-day international career, is expected to be out of action for at least six months. “Andrew Flintoff recently suffered a common complication of surgery, a minor deep vein thrombosis in his right calf,” the ECB statement said.

“This will require a simple course of treatment and will not complicate his recovery from surgery.” Fast bowler and hard-hitting batsman Flintoff’s career has been blighted by a succession of injuries.

England captain Andrew Strauss, speaking after England had lost the second one-day international against Australia by 39 runs at Lord’s  said: “You don’t want any complications, an operation like that is a big enough tribulation as it is. I just feel for him because he’s got a lot of rehab ahead of him, and you don’t want it to be slowed down in any way. Hopefully, it all will all go according to plan from here on.”

Well said Strauss. None of Freddie fans will want him to suffer from any trouble. Life can’t get worse for him!

“There is a possibility I may not play again. It’s  something I’m going to have to be prepared for in case the  operation is not as successful as I hope,” Flintoff was quoted as saying in an interview to the ‘ ‘News  of the World’.

The burly all-rounder underwent a keyhole surgery — his  second on the troublesome knee — a day after the fifth and  final Ashes Test at The Oval. “There will be a question mark in my mind about whether I  have played my last game until I know how the operation has  turned out. I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind, but  the success rate for an operation like this is pretty good.  The bottom line is that if it doesn’t work, there’s nothing I  can do about it,” said Flintoff.

“I don’t want my career to end like this. My Test career  ended with a high by England winning the Ashes and I’d like to  finish my one-day career by winning the World Cup,” Flintoff  said.

To mend his knee, Flintoff is now keeping his leg  strapped to a 2500 pound Continuous Passive Motion equipment  eight hours a day, as suggested by his Andy Williams and the  device is designed to bend the knee up to 1,500 times every  day. “I had a choice of either using this machine or doing  three sets of 500 knee bends a day, so I thought the machine  might be the way forward. I strap my leg into it for eight hours a day. It bends  my knee up and down all the time and makes sure the movement  is controlled,” Flintoff said.

“I will have the machine on most of the time, even when  I’m sleeping. The hard part is getting used to having your leg  strapped into a machine for most of the day.

“It’s designed to help with the healing but, inevitably,  my right leg is going to waste away a bit and the muscles are  going to disappear. There’s not a lot I can do about it  because I can’t bear any weight on my right leg for six to  eight weeks,” Flintoff said.

For the amount of talent that Freddie possesses, it will be a pity if he has to bow out of international cricket because of an injury.

Langer pointed out that the relatively taller English pacers consistently outshone their Australian counterparts throughout the series, which proved decisive in the end.

“The main issue with Australia’s attack is its lack of height. If you compare Australia’s unit with Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Stuart Broad, there is a significant difference in height and therefore bounce of each attack,” he explained.

According to him, the likes of the pace trio of Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus did try their best but their short height meant they did not generate enough bounce and with the result, they could not get in more purchase from the wickets in England. The ex-opener also pointed out that the selectors would have to look into domestic cricket and unearth beanpole pacers who can do the job for the team.

“Unless the conditions suit swing bowling, height is the crucial aspect for most fast bowlers so Australia, like all countries, might be searching basketball courts and beyond to bring some tall men back to England in 2013,” Langer said.

Langer played his bit in Australia’s Ashes preparation, putting together a damning dossier on the English cricketers, highlighting their frailties even though it could not prevent the visitors’ Ashes debacle.

“My “leaked dossier” has been the butt of many derogatory comments and while I will take these on the chin, those with any sense will keep a humble head amid the deserved euphoria of this Ashes triumph,” Langer said.
Langer believes the Ashes defeat was a “humbling experience for all Australians”, especially after the team ruled for so long.

“Having spent so long on the throne, it almost seems like sacrilege that they are now dwindling down the ladder. For the first time in ages they are now the hunters rather than the hunted and it is going to be fascinating to see if they can climb back up the ladder as emphatically as they have in the past,” he said.
“In contrast to 2005, when losing the Ashes proved to be a blip on Australia’s impeccable record, my gut feeling is that this new journey is potentially bumpier than it was then,” Langer added.

FIFTH BIGGEST MOMENT OF ASHES

To me, Kevin Pietersen being ruled out because of Achilles injury just immediately after the famous win of England at the second Test in Lord’s was one of the biggest moment. Captain Andrew Strauss needed a help from Andrew Flintoff but he was not chosen for the fourth Test at Leeds which resulted in a big drubbing for the home side. The two top stars created a big void in the side for sure.

FOURTH BIGGEST MOMENT OF ASHES

One of the path-breaking events in the Ashes was that of James Anderson and Monty Panesar denying Australia the much-needed victory in the first Test at Cardiff. Yes, there were those unnecessary interuptions did raised a few eyebrows but the two English tailenders did help their team at the end of the day. To me, the results matter not how it was achieved.

THIRD BIGGEST MOMENT OF ASHES

It had to Andrew Flintoff in the Ashes 2009. His performance went notches up after announcing his retirement and his bowling in the victory at Lord’s Test was a proof of that. Be it his bowling, batting or his stupendous run-out of Ricky Ponting in the final Test at The Oval, Freddie was exemplary. The talismanic all-rounder surely bowed out on a career-high.

SECOND BIGGEST MOMENT OF ASHES

Michael Clarke and Marcus North batted out of their skins on the final day of the third Test to ensure that they were still in the hunt after England had taken a stronghold in the battle. Clarke and North ensured that they batted throughout the day for their centuries and North in particular has matured into a fantastic batsman and a useful spinner too. He will probably be used more often in the bowling department especially after his wicket-taking skills displayed amply at the Oval Test.

THE BIGGEST MOMENT OF THIS ASHES

The biggest moment without doubt is the debut century of Jonathan Trott. With that century he became the 18th Englishmen ever to have achieved this feat and the first one was none other than Sir W.G. Grace. He was often talked about being a best bet for the home side and was covered extensively by the media and cricketers in the talk shows and interviews. He might have had a moderate in his first innings but anchored the England innings in their second. He was the last man dismissed in their innings and fittingly got a standing ovation when he walked back to the pavilion.

Yes, I have missed out on other moments such as Ponting’s super knock at Cardiff, Peter Siddle and Stuart Clarke spell at Edgbaston. I also did not mention Stuart Broad’s spell in the final Test. However, the best moment was given to Trott simply because he never faced the pressure of Ashes or for that matter—an international match before and still stood up for the challenge.

Please give your suggestions on the same.

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The day belonged to debutant Trott who scored a chanceless 119 and remained the centrepiece of England’s second innings 373 for nine declared in a match where a win would see them regain the Ashes by taking the series 2-1.

Openers Shane Watson (31 not out) and Simon Katich (42 not out) ensured Australia made a sound start to their imposing chase.

“I knew I was there or thereabouts. I just had to put in the hard yards in county cricket and I’m thankful I got the opportunity,” Trott said after the end of the day’s play. England, at tea, were 290 for seven. Trott was 83 not out and Graeme Swann 34 not out, with part-time Australia spinner Marcus North taking Test-best figures of four for 98.

The visitors grabbed the new ball immediately after tea but England responded by thrashing their pace bowlers for 83 runs in 12 overs. Swann, dropped on 47 by Ponting, made a dashing 63 off just 55 balls as he added 90 for the eighth wicket with Trott at better than a run-a-ball. Trott,  retained his composure although on 97 he nearly played on to Ben Hilfenhaus. But his clipped four off the swing bowler took him to a hundred in 182 balls.

The 28-year-old became the 18th England batsman to make a century on Test debut and the first to do so against Australia since Graham Thorpe at Trent Bridge in 1993. His hundred was only the second by an England batsman this series after captain Andrew Strauss’s 161 in their 115-run second Test win at Lord’s. He was the last man out, caught by North off Stuart Clark.

Interestingly, Four years ago an Oval hundred by a South Africa-born batsman Kevin Pietersen had helped regain the Ashes for England. Trott’s innings may yet enable them to do so with a win. Strauss declared to set Australia would be a new fourth innings victory total, surpassing the 418 for seven made by West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2002/03.

Australia will go all out to chase 546 but they have to bat out of their skins if they nurse hopes of reaching the momentous target. Watch out this space for more on the fourth day of this eventful Test.

The star of England’s 2005 Ashes series win again walked out to a standing ovation from a capacity 23,500 crowd having managed just seven in the first innings before being caught behind off left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson. He came to the crease with England well-placed on 168 for five in their second innings, a lead of 240 in a match where victory would give them the Ashes 2-1. Flintoff was greeted with a handshake by Australia captain Ricky Ponting, a sign of appreciation that probably meant more to the Lancashire star than many of the tributes paid to him this week.

Unlike his first innings, Flintoff got off the mark in resounding fashion when, second ball, he struck part-time spinner Marcus North through mid-wicket for four, getting rid of a close fielder in the process. There were three further boundaries to delight the crowd but just when fans thought Flintoff was about to hit his stride the 31-year-old, going for a typically big hit, skied a drive off North to long-on where Peter Siddle made no mistake with the catch. Spectators were on their feet again, normally a strange reaction to an innings of 22 that lasted 26 minutes and spanned 18 balls, as Flintoff, with a rueful swish of the bat, walked back into the pavilion.

There was no theatrical exit, just a quick glance over his shoulder and a slight raise of his bat to acknowledge the applause, with England captain Andrew Strauss among those clapping in the home dressing room.  Flintoff has proved popular with fans ever since making his debut as a 20-year-old against South Africa back in 1998.

Bowling fast and hitting the ball a long way as Flintoff can, has always had a primal appeal to spectators. His popularity with fans and team-mates alike may be out of proportion to his place in cricket history – Flintoff’s average of around the 32 mark with both bat and ball is some way short of greatness. And he has ‘won’ far fewer Tests than England predecessor Ian Botham nor been as influential as Pakistan great Imran Khan, the outstanding all-rounder of the last 25 years.

Well done Freddie, you will always remain one of the most talented stars to have come out of England. Cheers!

For a change, every batsman from the hosts side got a start but could not go on to get the big score the team needed in a fifth Test they have to win to regain the Ashes but Australia needed only to draw to retain them, with the series level at 1-1. Ian Bell battled hard for 72 but was unable to claim a maiden Ashes hundred in his 13th Test against Australia. Jonathan Trott, making his Test debut, looked good in compiling 41 before he was spectacularly run out by Simon Katich while Strauss fell for 55.

Sadly for home fans, Andrew Flintoff – in his last Test before an injury-induced retirement – barely got going before he was caught behind off left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson for seven. Siddle, who took a trio of top-order wickets, ended play for the day when he had Graeme Swann caught behind, the fast bowler finish with figures of four for 63 in 18.3 overs. Bell fell to his first ball after tea when he played on to Siddle with a large gap between bat and pad.

His innings had 10 fours that saw him bat for nearly four hours but his exit left England wobbling at 181 for four after Strauss, had chosen to bat first on a typically good Oval pitch. It was a marked improvement after Bell had managed just 11 runs before twice falling to Johnson in England’s innings and 80 run fourth Test defeat at Headingley which saw Australia level the series at 1-1.

But, not for the first time in his 49-Test career, the 27-year-old left England thinking of what might have been.

“We didn’t really know how the wicket would play, it was pretty dry,” said Bell, whom television pictures suggested may have been bowled off a no-ball. “It was a tough day. You want to get big scores but the ball wasn’t really coming on and it made scoring hard.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior briefly upped the tempo while Trott cover-drove Stuart Clark for four.But Johnson ended a stand worth 48 when he deceived Prior into playing too early, the ball looping to Shane Watson at point.

Flintoff walked out to a standing ovation. England’s top scorer in the drawn third Test at Edgbaston had been controversially left out at Headingley because the selectors feared his right knee problem would prevent him getting through the match. But further batting heroics would have to wait until the second innings after a flat-footed, edged cut was caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. South Africa born Trott looked assured but, having walked forward and started to look for a single off part-time spinner Marcus North, he couldn’t beat short-leg Katich’s direct hit on the stumps. England, who’d lost three wickets for 39 runs, were now 307  for eight.

The Australians will be pleased by their effort and will be looking to finish off the English innings well before lunch to bat on this surface which looks quite even.

On the other hand, Australia will want to clinch the series 2-1 or at best secure a draw to retain their Ashes and carry home the urn. The defending champions will want to retain the side that won at Leeds and that will mean leaving out the now-fit Brett Lee, a prospect which could backfire if England gets off to a flyer on the first day morning. Also, dismantling a winning unit could have serious implications on the morale of the performers such as Stuart Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus—the three standout performers in the last Test.

England will be pondering on leaving out Graham Onions and bring in Monty Panesar for this Test. This will mean leaving out Onions who too will be given a raw deal for one failur the whole summer.
One look at the pitch will make you believe that its a true wicket as it is dry and bare. The plenty carry and bounce will make the captains go in with an extra pacer but spinners too can get their purchase from this wicket.
For those who thrive on trivia, the last four Tests have seen England pacers Onions, Flintoff, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Harmison have given 37 runs to bag a wicket while Australian pacers —- Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, Johnson and Clark – have averaged 28.11 per wicket for their 53 wickets.