2007 Eng vs 2018 Eng, the stronger squad?

[Gollum]

2007 was the last time we won there, we have a fair chance to win again this time around.

 

2011 Eng was a pretty special team IMO, probably the strongest English team I have ever seen. 2014 was weaker than 2011 but still remnants of that great team were there and guys like Cook, Anderon, Broad were at the perfect age cricket wise. I think the 2014 team was slightly stronger than the 2007 team.

 

So 2007 vs 2018 ?

                                                  2007 (over 3 tests)           2018 (1st test only)                                            

 

Captain (both no 3 bats) :             Vaughan                          Root

 

WK (both middle order bats):         Prior                               Bairstow

 

Openers:                                      Cook                              Cook

                                                   Strauss                           Jennings

                                                                                        

Middle Order batsmen:                   Bell                                Malan

                                                    KP                                 Butler

                                                   

 

All Rounders:                                 Collingwood                    Stokes

                                                                                         Ali

                                                                                         Curran

                                                                                         

Spinners:                                       Monty                            Rashid      

 

Quicks:                                          Hoggard                         Anderson

                                                    Harmison                        Broad

                                                    Anderson                        Porter

                                                    Sidebottom                     

                                                    Tremlett

                                                    Broad       

 

Remember Eng have announced the squad only for 1st test, so as the series progresses more players like Woakes, Wood, Ball, Bess etc may be added. 2007 England had 3 different squads for the 3 tests and a few guys like Broad (a newbie then) and Harmison didn't get a single match.       

 

Also 2007 Anderson wasn't an established player while the current Anderson has 500+ wickets, a great last 12 months and mental stranglehold over Indian batsmen. Matt Prior of 2007 was a rookie who was yet to get into the groove, same with Bell. Such things need to be taken into consideration. Can't simply look at the name and assume that was the best version of them in that series. Cook was a rookie then and is in decline now, so perhaps it cancels out. And so on and so forth.

 

I think the 2018 team is marginally better. While 2007 team had a slightly better batting unit the current team has better bowling unit spearheaded by the ATG bowling partnership of Anderson-Broad, plus the luxury of all rounders. From 2nd test onwards the likes of Woakes, Wood, Ball will enter the squad adding even more edge to their bowling. We have a big task on our hands.

Edited July 30, 2018 by Gollum

[speedheat]

Bit tough, but I voted for eng 2007 since this current English side lost a test match to Pakistan who were whitewashed by srilankans at their home (real home or whatever it is)

[Gollum]

Also Vaughan was a very shrewd captain, Root looks lost as leader.

 

But 2007 England bowling attack looks pedestrian. Flintoff missed out because of injury, Hoggard/Harmison were on their last legs..didn't feature in a single match that series. Broad was too raw and didn't get a look in. They went in with Anderson (mediocre then), Sidebottom, Tremlett (rookie), Collingwood (LOL)  and Monty (rookie) in all the 3 tests. No wonder Kumble got an unbeaten 100 . This Eng team however has the ability to consistently pick 20 wickets every match. Despite all this 2007 team rode enormous luck to draw the Lord's test, hence winning the series.

 

This Indian team may win, draw or lose but I don't see 2007 India winning a hypothetical series against the current English team in England, especially with a struggling Dravid. If we win this time I will definitely place it above 2007 victory, not just because it is a longer series but the quality of the opponent team is better.

Edited July 30, 2018 by Gollum

[R!TTER]

Never mind, anyway A team without KP isn't best England team of the last decade.

Edited July 30, 2018 by R!TTER

[Gollum]

Arre bhai log koi toh 2018 ko vote karo , akela main hi hoon.

Edited July 30, 2018 by Gollum