England's march towards the number one ranking looks really strong as they are 2-0 up against India. This has led to a debate in the English press as to whether the Ashes winning England Team of 2005 was better than the current England Team. In my opinion both teams have a charm of their own. The team of 2005 looked much more fired up as they were playing their traditional rivals Australia.
The team of 2005 beat the undisputed number one to clinch the Ashes and the current team has given a fantastic challenge to the current holders of the top spot. The series against India isnt complete and we can only pass a judgment after the end of the series. The point to be noted is that the England Team of 2005 had won a Test series in South Africa whereas the current Team just drew the series 1-1. Thus, the team of 2005 has their nose ahead due to that fact.
Former England captain and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who was the talismanic player of the 2005 Team has said that he thinks that the current team is better. Whereas former England batsman, Steve James has said in his column in The Telegraph that the current side deserves the number one spot but the team of 2005 ranks ahead. He wrote "The side of 2011 truly are a team, but in 2005 England faced one of the greatest teams ever. The legacy now might be
long-lasting – only South Africa can really challenge them in the near future in my opinion – but injuries dogged the 2005 lot. This team now are workmanlike, with smatterings of brilliance; in 2005 there was flair everywhere. It is 2005 for me, just, but, as Dogberry might have said, the 2011 side smell pretty good too."
I think the current England Team can go a long way and if it maintains its consistency, they will certainly be considered the better side......
The team of 2005 beat the undisputed number one to clinch the Ashes and the current team has given a fantastic challenge to the current holders of the top spot. The series against India isnt complete and we can only pass a judgment after the end of the series. The point to be noted is that the England Team of 2005 had won a Test series in South Africa whereas the current Team just drew the series 1-1. Thus, the team of 2005 has their nose ahead due to that fact.
Former England captain and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who was the talismanic player of the 2005 Team has said that he thinks that the current team is better. Whereas former England batsman, Steve James has said in his column in The Telegraph that the current side deserves the number one spot but the team of 2005 ranks ahead. He wrote "The side of 2011 truly are a team, but in 2005 England faced one of the greatest teams ever. The legacy now might be
long-lasting – only South Africa can really challenge them in the near future in my opinion – but injuries dogged the 2005 lot. This team now are workmanlike, with smatterings of brilliance; in 2005 there was flair everywhere. It is 2005 for me, just, but, as Dogberry might have said, the 2011 side smell pretty good too."
I think the current England Team can go a long way and if it maintains its consistency, they will certainly be considered the better side......
