Jeff Thomson feels England's bench strength is the reason behind their recent success in Test cricket © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
London: Sep 19, 2011
Former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson has surprsied Englsih fans by backing England to dominate world cricket in coming years.
He was quoted in Daily Star on Sunday as saying,“It’s definitely too early to speak about England as a great team or anything like that,” Thomson told the Daily Star Sunday.
“You have to beat all opposition at home and away before you can be regarded as a truly great team in the history of the game.
“That’s what the West Indies did in the 1980s and what Australia did in the 1990s and just after. They were great sides.
“But this England side does have the potential to go on and do some damage and dominate.
“I don’t see any weak links in the team at all.
“I thought Paul Collingwood was a weak link but he’s gone now."
Thomson feels the young players in the England team are exciting and look very promising. He said, “And I’m a big fan of the guy that has replaced him, Eoin Morgan. He plays his shots and looks a very good player at six.”
The former Australian fast bowler also praised the ICC intenrational cricketer of the year awardee, Jonathan Trott and ICC Test cricketer of the year awardee Alastair Cook.
“I see what Trott does, he’s effective and scores lots of runs but, for me, he’s dull as dishwater to watch,” Thommo added.
“I like Cook, though. I don’t find him dull.
“I think he is a quality batsman and you have to admire the amount of runs that he keeps churning out," said Thomson.
Thomson was also impressed by England's bench strength whic according to him was the strength of the team. He said, “I especially like Chris Tremlett. I like his pace and bounce and he did a great job when he came in during the Ashes.
“It shows how good England’s bench strength is at the moment that, when he got injured, Tim Bresnan came in and did just as well.
“I honestly can’t see any team beating England for another year or two.”
Thomson feels lack of quality Test cricket played around the world cannot undermine England's achievement. He said,“I don’t think Test cricket is the strongest it’s ever been.
“There’s no Ambrose and Walsh, Pollock and Donald or Warne and McGrath around any more.
“But that’s not England’s fault, you can only beat the opposition that is put in front of you and England are making a good job of doing that.
“It will be interesting to see what happens when Australia come over in a couple of years but for now, I think England will stay on top.”
