Independent Leyton Orient Forum

For me, the 2010 team.
Compare the top 4 of cook, Strauss, trott and kp to the current team. Similar bowling line up though, Anderson, broad, bresnan/tremlett and Swan, quality, mind.

Probably better depth of fast bowling now, I'd take Woakes over Bresnan or Tremlett, and assuming that Archer will be better than all 3 of those.

Batting was outrageous back then though. Batting averages above 40 all the way down to 7, with broad and swann more than capable of chipping in. Just goes to show how good a team has to be in order to even in Australia against even a pretty mediocre Aussie team.

Swan was a handy lower order batsman but a near to GREAT spin bowler, really accurate as well so if needed, could bowl defensively and keep down the score. England have not had a spin bowler of Swan's quality since he retired.
Anderson, despite being injured recently, still put back in the team today and sadly lasted only 4 overs, now going for a scan on his calf injury. Wonder why was he risked if he was such an injury doubt ? Massive blow to England if he cannot bowl for the rest of this opening match !!

Swann and Broad's cameo batting partnerships were a highlight of the 2009 series. Broad was touted as an all-rounder early in his career and I remember one particularly good knock on his home ground at Trent Bridge. Has never been the same as a batsman since he was hit in the face by a short ball a while ago.