5 MY BEST ENGLAND TESTS
Here are the five most memorable England Tests I have covered since I became Sportsmail cricket correspondent in 2007.
v AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY JANUARY 2011
The game that saw Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower’s England side complete their 3-1 victory over Michael Clarke’s men with an incredible three victories by an innings to win the Ashes in Australia. As we waited for the final wicket, I remember the English journalists looking around at each other, smiling and making sure the windows of the old SCG press box were open so we could soak up the atmosphere.
v AUSTRALIA, TRENT BRIDGE AUGUST 2015
Australia again because every victory against them is special and there were few more dramatic than Trent Bridge three years ago when Stuart Broad posted incredible figures of eight for 15 as the Aussies were demolished for 60. That look of amazement on Broad’s face when Ben Stokes took a stunning slip catch has gone down in Ashes legend.
v INDIA, EDGBASTON AUGUST 2018
This first Test had everything at a time when the longest and best form of the game is under threat and the ECB are not helping by giving the impression the game is doomed and needs pathetic gimmicks like The Hundred to rescue it. It had everything, administrators please note, because ball was on top of bat for most of the time apart from an extraordinary display of conquering conditions that were alien to him by Virat Kohli.
v SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN JANUARY 2016
On the list for the most breathtaking double hundred from Ben Stokes and an emotional century from Jonny Bairstow. The pair put on 399 with Stokes showing what a rare talent he is and Bairstow looking to the skies in memory of his late father David when he reached three figures.
v INDIA, CHENNAI DECEMBER 2008
The Mumbai terrorist attack meant we all came home but after considerable work by then captain Kevin Pietersen and team director Hugh Morris, England returned to India late in 2008 for a two-Test series. And what better than Mumbai boy Sachin Tendulkar scoring an unbeaten century as India chased 387 to win the first Test. It was both symbolic and significant and the game really was the winner.