Between 1999 and 2011, England have marked a meteoric rise up the ICC world rankings. The dramatic turnaround in English cricket’s fortunes, has coincided with some major changes in the structures within the ECB. Not least the Schofield review that was conducted after the 2006/07 Ashes whitewash which introduced the English Lions, which has since provided an excellent breeding ground for future English cricketers.
The dark days of the Nineties, when England could barely buy a result, seem a dim and distant memory and a Barmy Army inspired England team reign supreme now. The familiarity of another defeat in the Ashes series is nothing but a dim memory.
Phil ‘the Cat’ Tuffnell has been covering the halycon days from the relatively safe position in the commentary box. He symbolises English cricket in the 1990′s, a truly talented player, who was allowed all too often to go off the rails.
Under the Flower/Strauss regime, England’s players have turned into a polished outfit, epitomised by the organised bowling unit. Tim Bresnan has enjoyed an extended run in the test side, but one wonders if he would have been given access to such finely tuned planning, from eyewear, to sports nutrition. The characters from the 1990′s can only look on with admiration, but must take credit in creating the legacy of English cricket’s 2011 ascendancy to the top of the ICC rankings.
