The difference between England and India in the NPower Test Series has been marked. The four-nil score line appears one sided, and the statistics that go with it are equally conclusive as to how much England outplayed their opponents.
First of all, it was only in the first innings of the fourth and final Test that India passed 300 for the only time in the series. England only failed to pass the figure when all out once, and even then their score of 221 was considered OK considering they were 124-8 at one stage. Weight of runs has been absolutely crucial. England have score massively, passing 400 four times, meaning that in the four Tests they have only batted on six occasions. Such monumental scores, like the 710/7 declared at Edgbaston, have left India with no chance of victory.
Bell and Pietersen refuel during another mammoth partnership
England have batted in partnerships as well as individuals. For instance Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen have shared 3 consecutive double century partnerships for England in their middle order, meaning that even if the top order should fail, England will still score a big total. The partnership of Sachin Tendulkar and Amit Mishra of 144 was more of an exception then a rule in India’s batting throughout the series. The lack of individual runs, from the likes of Tendulkar, Laxman and Sehwag also contributed to India’s downfall. Only Rahul Dravid, scorer of three centuries in the series, gave them any kind of consistency.
In terms of bowling, the contrast is stark. Of the top five bowlers, only one, Praveen Kumar, is Indian. His haul of 15 wickets is nowhere near that of England’s leader, Stuart Broad, who claimed 25 scalps. India may also look to their lack of a potent spinner as a reason for their downfall as Suresh Raina, considered a part time option, was their most successful slow bowler with 4 wickets, whereas England’s Graeme Swann took 13. The statistics all favour England and it is little wonder they ended with a 4-0 whitewash.
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