calebelfc
School Cricketer
This analysis specifically focuses on England as thats who I support. However, I encourage posters from all countries to provide Match saving/winning performances from your respective countries.
I have decided to focus on England's displays from that 1st Test at Lords in the 2005 Ashes series till the most recent completed series vs Bangladesh.
What constitutes a match saving/winning performance? -
A crucial innings or bowling display which turns a match whether from defeat to draw or draw to victory. However, someone can have a heroic display in a losing cause. In these instances, exceptions will duly be made.
The Ashes 05
Andrew Flintoff- (73) ? In the 2nd test at Edgbaston. Without these runs, the ?greatest test? wouldn?t have been.
Andrew Flintoff- (4-79) ? In the 2nd test at Edgbaston. He got the crucial breakthrough in ?that over? of Ponting and Langer.
Michael Vaughan- (166) ? In the 3rd test at Old Trafford. On a flat track at Old Trafford, Vaughan was the only England Batsman to cash in. He set the foundations for a near win for England.
Simon Jones- (6-53) ? In the 3rd test at Old Trafford. A dominating display by Jones, who utilised the oracle of reverse swing to perfection. Got crucial wickets at crucial times when Australia were on course for posting a big score.
Simon Jones- (5-44) ? In the 4th test at Trent Bridge. His bowling display resulted in Australia being asked to follow on for the first time since 1990 against Pakistan. England went on to win this crucial game in the series.
Andrew Flintoff- (5-78) ? In the 5th test at the Oval. A mammoth effort from Flintoff which some say has had long lasting effects on the all-rounder. Australia, at 185-0, were on course for posting a big total until Freddie, with the help of his supporting cast, the Australians ended up being skittled for 335.
Kevin Pietersen- (158) ? In the 5th test at the Oval. With England 67-3 and Glen McGrath on a hat-trick, Kevin Pietesen strode to the crease. He survived the hat-trick ball, just, before going on to score a sensational 158. If Warne and Hayden had snaffled him up, or Bowden had raised his crooked finger for his first ball, Petersen?s series would have been deemed a disappointment after starting with so much promise. More importantly, England wouldn?t have regained The Ashes.
England in Pakistan 05/06
Andrew Flintoff (56) & Geraint Jones (30*) - In the 2nd test at Faisalabad. Two match saving innings as the top order fail to put England in deep trouble. England end up 6 wickets down, with Jones not out, and save the match.
England in India 06
James Anderson- (4-40) - In the 3rd test at Mumbai. Gets the big wickets of Dravid and Tendulkar and sets up a test win for England and a series draw.
Shaun Udal- (4-14) ? In the 3rd test at Mumbai. India are skittled out for 100 and Udal takes Tendulkar and Dhoni in a match winning display.
Sri Lanka in England 06
Matthew Hoggard- (4-27) ? In the 1st test at Lords. Sri Lanka were made to follow on after England posted over 500. Despite Sri Lanka convincingly saving the draw, Hoggard did all he could to force the win with this display.
Kevin Pietersen- (142) ? In the 2nd test at Edgbaston. Back to back hundreds but this one in bowling conditions. The next best score of 30 is a telling factor in how important this innings was in securing an England victory.
Pakistan in England 06
Steve Harmison- (6-19) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Truly brilliant bowling display as Pakistan are all out for119.
Steve Harmison (5-57) & Monty Panesar (5-72) - In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Pakistan lose buy an innings. Panesar and Harmison the only bowlers to pick up wickets for England in the game. 18 between them!
Sajid Mahmood- (4-22) ? In the 3rd test at Headingley. England wrap up the series as Pakistan are bowled out for 155. Mahmood bowls quickly and gets his rewards.
The Ashes 06/07
Paul Collingwood (206) & Kevin Pietersen (158) ? In the 2nd test at Adelaide. We all know the result of this test match, but these two innings, on the back of the drubbing in the 1st test, set the game up for an England win or draw. Unfortunately, there?s a man named Shane Warne.
Monty Panesar- (5-92) ? In the 3rd test at Perth. Panesar announced himself in the series, taking 5 wickets on Ashes debut. Australia were bowled out for just 244, their lowest 1st innings total in the series.
Kevin Pietersen (60*) & Alastair Cook (116) ? In the 4th test at Melbourne. England had little hope of saving the series, but a draw would have just kept their faint hopes alive. Cook?s 290 ball hundred and a measured Pietersen innings, in which he ended up unbeaten on 60, were the only fighting knocks as Australia took the urn.
West Indies in England 07
Ryan Sidebottom- (4-42) & (4-44) - In the 2nd test at Headingley. England win by an innings after the batters pile on the runs. But Sidebottom?s efforts with the ball are exceptional as he takes 8-86 in the match.
Alastair Cook- (106) - in the 3rd test at Old Trafford. In hindsight, it turned out to be a huge knock. Without Cook?s hundred, West Indies would have chased down a mammoth 455 and made history. Instead they fell 60 runs shy.
Ryan Sidebottom- (5-88) - In the 4th test at Chester-Le-Street. Sidebottom was yet again, instrumental in England?s victory. West Indies were out for a modest 287 despite Chandepaul?s magnificent unbeaten 136 thanks to Sidebottom.
Monty Panesar- (5-46) ? In the 4th test at Chester-Le-Street. Monty rips through the West Indian defences allowing England to chase a solitary 111 for victory in the final innings.
India in England 07
James Anderson- (5-42) - In the 1st test at Lords. England were one wicket short of victory but Andersons display in the 1st innings was stunning. For a star studded Indian side to be dismissed for 201 in the 1st innings of the series is a top effort. It may, however, have resulted in India bucking up their ideas for the remainder of the series which they ended up winning 1-0.
Kevin Pietersen- (134) - In the 1st test at Lords. England were all out for a mere 282 and KP contributed nearly half those runs. This innings allowed England to go and search for victory which they so nearly obtained.
Kevin Pietersen- (101) ? In the 3rd test at the Oval. His efforts would only end up resulting in a draw, not enough to level the series, but this innings left England 369-6 in the 4th innings. A match saving innings.
England in Sri Lanka 07
Matthew Hoggard- (4-29) ? In the 1st test at Kandy. Sri Lanka were skittled out for just 188. Despite Sri Lanka going on to win the match, this was no fault of Hoggard?s who still managed to take 2-55 in Sri Lanka?s 2nd innings score of 442-8 dec.
Alastair Cook (118) & Matt Prior (19*) - In the 3rd test at Galle. England were all out for an abysmal 81 in the 1st innings and were justly made to follow on. They saved the game, 6 down for 251, with a superb Cook 118 in dangerous Murali conditions and a dogged 100 ball 19* for Matt Prior.
England in New Zealand 08
Ryan Sidebottom- (6-49) - In the 1st test at Hamilton. Not only did Sidebottom secure a test match hat-trick to his name, (with the help of some outstanding catching from Cook), he took an incredible 6 wickets. England ended up 110 all out in their pursuit of 300 but Sidebottom?s display was unfortunate not to be backed up by the batsmen.
James Anderson- (5-73) - In the 2nd test at Wellington. England would end up levelling the series largely thanks to Andersons bowling exploits. Anderson removed all the top 5 batsmen as New Zealand were dismissed for 198 giving England a healthy 1st innings lead of 144.
Kevin Pietersen- (129) ? In the 3rd test at Napier. A massive innings in the whole outcome of the series. England were 4-3, later 34-4 and were eventually bowled out for 253. But this Pietersen innings was immense as he battled with the lower order to give England a 1st innings score that was at least competitive on this pitch.
Ryan Sidebottom- (7-47) ? In the 3rd test at Napier. With the series on the line, Pietersen?s 129 needed to be backed up by some exceptional bowling. Ryan Sidebottom provided that with yet another 5 wicket haul on this memorable tour for the Nottinghamshire bowler. He took 24 wickets in the series at 17 apiece.
Monty Panesar- (6-129) ? In the 3rd test at Napier. New Zealand required an impossible 553 runs for victory. However, they were determined to level the series by batting out for the draw. The England bowlers toiled till late on day 5 before Anderson wrapped up the game. Panesar was the eventual match winning bowler taking 6 for as England secured their 1st away series win since defeating South Africa 2-1 in 2004.
New Zealand in England 08
Monty Panesar- (6-37) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. England were on the wrong end of a 179 run deficit after the 1st innings. England were in need of inspiration and Panesar, from Luton, provided it with a magical display of bowling. New Zealand were bowled out for 114 which then set up a tricky, but reachable 294 runs for England to go 1 up in the series.
Andrew Strauss- (106) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. England chasing a dangerous score of 294 needed a good start. Strauss provided that and went on to score a vital 106 which gave England the impetus to go on and win the game in a comfortable manor by 6 wickets.
Kevin Pietersen- (115) ? In the 3rd test at Trent Bridge. A score of 364 isn?t enough to win a game by an innings. Usually. Pietersen?s reserved hundred in terms of strokeplay, was exactly what the doctor ordered as his batting counterparts faltered at various times through the innings only for the lower order to end up supporting him.
James Anderson- (7-43) ? In the 3rd test at Trent Bridge. New Zealand?s batting was made to look village standard by Anderson in a devastating spell of swing bowling.
Ryan Sidebottom- (6-67) ? Ryan Sidebottom capitalized on swing friendly conditions by taking yet another 5 wicket haul against New Zealand. England went on to win by an innings and 9 runs.
South Africa in England 08
Andrew Flintoff- (4-89) ? In the 3rd test at Edgbaston. A bowling spell which rivalled that at Ricky Ponting in 2005. Took the big wickets of in form McKenzie (72), Smith (7), Kallis (64) and AB de Villiers (5) as South Africa took a 1st innings lead which was considerably less than envisaged at one stage. Despite SA going on to win the test, comfortably, this spell of bowling can?t be disregarded due to its sheer potency and pace.
Kevin Pietersen- (100) ? This innings set the foundations for an England win. While others came and went, (next high score was Steve Harmison?s 49*), Pietersen went on to score yet another test match hundred, and an important one at that.
England in India 08
Andrew Strauss- (123) & (108) ? In the 1st test at Chennai. Strauss came back to form with a brace of hundreds. He set up what looked certain to be an English victory until India memorably chased down 387 for the loss of just 4 wickets. This was, however, no fault of Strauss.
England in West Indies 09
Graeme Swann- (5-57) ? In the 3rd test at St.Johns. In a series that was full of flat tracks and dead wickets, this was one of the few bright sparks for the England bowler. This set up an Old Trafford 2005 esque finish and yet again, unfortunately for England, the game produced the same result as West Indies were able to survive with one wicket in hand.
Kevin Pietersen- (102) ? In the 5th test at Port Of Spain. Quick runs were required in England?s 2nd innings and that is exactly what Pietersen produced. His hundred coming up in 88 deliveries set the game up for yet another dramatic finish as England were agonizingly close, ending up 2 wickets short from levelling the seres.
West Indies in England 09
Ravi Bopara- (143) - In the 1st test at Lords. The only centurion of the match, Ravi Bopara, picked off where he left off in the winter with successive hundred against West Indies. This 1st innings score was, as so often is with hundreds, the basis for a 10 wicket victory for England.
Graham Onions- (5-38) - In the 1st test at Lord. Onions announced himself on the International stage with this precise performance. Bowling wicket to wicket, with a bit of pace as well, Onions set his sights on the summers Ashes series with a fine bowling display.
James Anderson - (5-87) & (4-38) - In the 2nd test at Chester-Le-Street. After England posted a mammoth 569, James Anderson ripped through the West Indies batsmen not once, but twice! In conditions more suited to Andersons style compared to those in the previous series between these two countries earlier in the year, Anderson proved, when swinging, he?s the best in the world.
The Ashes 09
Paul Collingwood- (74) - In the 1st test at Sophia Gardens. A mammoth effort from Colly. Expectations were high for this England side coming into the series but in the 1st test, they were well and truly dominated. With England battling for survival in the 4th innings of the game, Collingwood, (aka ?brigadier block), took on the challenge with a 245 ball, 344 minute stay at the crease. However, he thought he?d thrown it all away when he diverted his shot to Hussey at gully who juggled before taking the catch. It was left down to Panesar (7*) and Anderson (21*) to guide England to safety but the hard work was done beforehand by England?s Mr. Reliable, in an innings that perfectly illustrates what a match saving display is.
Andrew Strauss- (161) ? In the 2nd test at Lords. In the first test, England posted a reasonable 435 in their first innings but the task of saving the match would?ve been so much simpler if one person had gone on to make a hundred. Here, at Lord, England?s captain made no mistake by smashing his way to a memorable 161. An innings that?ll live long in the memory of Strauss.
Andrew Flintoff- (5-92) ? In the 2nd test at Lords. The series in 05 was Freddie?s Ashes, just as it was Botham?s Ashes in 81. This time round, after several serious lay offs, it was not to be for Flintoff, but this performance at Lords was reminiscent of his performances in 05. In his final test series, this devastating spell of bowling is part of the legacy that the big man has left behind.
Stuart Broad- (5-37) ? In the 5th test at The Oval. A match winning performance if there ever was one. A new golden boy was introduced to English sport after this game, and this spell of bowling was too good for the Aussie batsmen. They were skittled for 160 in a game England needed to win to regain The Ashes and a big thanks has to go to Stuart Broad.
Graeme Swann- (4-38) & (4-120) ? In the 5th test at The Oval. While Stuart Broad received the main plaudits, this charismatic character had at the other been whittling away at the remaining Aussie batsmen. In a series that started out so poor for the off spinner at a ?turning? paradise at Cardiff, he game by game rediscovered his mojo to become the best spin bowler in World Cricket.
Jonathan Trott- (119) ? In the 5th test at The Oval. While the media pleaded for Mark Ramprakash?s inclusion for a fairytale story, Flower and the selectors went with their heads by selecting debutant Jonathan Trott from Warwickshire. He did not disappoint, as he scored a gutsy 119 which was enough to set a total well out of Australia?s reach His timely knock was a major factor in England?s Ashes triumph.
England in South Africa 09/10
Kevin Pietersen (81) & Jonathan Trott (69) ? In the 1st test at Centurion. This series was the start of a downhill slope in form for England?s premiere batsmen Kevin Pietersen, but these crucial innings? allowed England to save the game with just one wicket in hand while others around them failed.
Stuart Broad (5-54) & Graeme Swann (4-43) ? In the 2nd test at Durban. These two teamed up again just as they did at the Oval a few months earlier, in a devastating bowling display that ripped through South Africa?s defences. South Africa?s dangerous middle order was made to look village by Broad who simply bowled full and straight and let the conditions do the work. This set it up for a crucial England win as they took a 1-0 series lead.
Ian Bell (78) & Paul Collingwood (40) ? This England innings mirrored that in Cardiff for the first test of the most recent Ashes series. This time it was the turn of Ian Bell to take the reins with a 213 ball 78. Collingwood was his typical self at the other end scoring 40 in 188 deliveries while occupying the crease for just 10 minutes less that hi counterpart. This innings will however be remembered for the change in Ian Bell. Always been able to score pretty 60?s and 70?s while everyone else was also contributing. On this occasion, he himself dug in and enabled England to once again save the game with one wicket remaining.
England in Bangladesh
Graeme Swann (5-90) & (5-127) - In the 1st test at Chittagong. The 1st time Swann has taken 10 wickets in an innings in a comprehensive win against feeble opposition. What is important to take into consideration is that when the pressure is put on Swann on a turning deck, he gets on with the job required and delivers, just as he did on this occasion.
Alastair Cook- (109*) ? In the 2nd test at Dhaka. A successful series for ?Captain Cook?. In Strauss? absence, Cook led by example in England?s pursuit of 209, with the help of Pietersen (74*), for the loss of just 2 wickets.
Bangladesh in England
Jonathan Trott- (226) ? In the 1st test at Lords. After a disappointing winter, Trott saw this series against minnows Bangladesh as a chance to pile on the runs. He did just that with a match defying knock of 226.
Graeme Swann- (5-76) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Swann does it again against the Bangladeshis?. A commanding display in the midst of a rattling 108 by opener Tamim Iqbal.
Steven Finn- (5-42) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Back to back series against Bangladesh is a kind introduction to Test Match cricket. However, that does not mean Finn is void of talent. He reminds one of a certain Steve Harmison. Tall, bouncy and quick, England may have just unearthed a gem.
So, their you have it. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this piece, and found my findings interesting as I hope you do!
I have decided to focus on England's displays from that 1st Test at Lords in the 2005 Ashes series till the most recent completed series vs Bangladesh.
What constitutes a match saving/winning performance? -
A crucial innings or bowling display which turns a match whether from defeat to draw or draw to victory. However, someone can have a heroic display in a losing cause. In these instances, exceptions will duly be made.
The Ashes 05
Andrew Flintoff- (73) ? In the 2nd test at Edgbaston. Without these runs, the ?greatest test? wouldn?t have been.
Andrew Flintoff- (4-79) ? In the 2nd test at Edgbaston. He got the crucial breakthrough in ?that over? of Ponting and Langer.
Michael Vaughan- (166) ? In the 3rd test at Old Trafford. On a flat track at Old Trafford, Vaughan was the only England Batsman to cash in. He set the foundations for a near win for England.
Simon Jones- (6-53) ? In the 3rd test at Old Trafford. A dominating display by Jones, who utilised the oracle of reverse swing to perfection. Got crucial wickets at crucial times when Australia were on course for posting a big score.
Simon Jones- (5-44) ? In the 4th test at Trent Bridge. His bowling display resulted in Australia being asked to follow on for the first time since 1990 against Pakistan. England went on to win this crucial game in the series.
Andrew Flintoff- (5-78) ? In the 5th test at the Oval. A mammoth effort from Flintoff which some say has had long lasting effects on the all-rounder. Australia, at 185-0, were on course for posting a big total until Freddie, with the help of his supporting cast, the Australians ended up being skittled for 335.
Kevin Pietersen- (158) ? In the 5th test at the Oval. With England 67-3 and Glen McGrath on a hat-trick, Kevin Pietesen strode to the crease. He survived the hat-trick ball, just, before going on to score a sensational 158. If Warne and Hayden had snaffled him up, or Bowden had raised his crooked finger for his first ball, Petersen?s series would have been deemed a disappointment after starting with so much promise. More importantly, England wouldn?t have regained The Ashes.
England in Pakistan 05/06
Andrew Flintoff (56) & Geraint Jones (30*) - In the 2nd test at Faisalabad. Two match saving innings as the top order fail to put England in deep trouble. England end up 6 wickets down, with Jones not out, and save the match.
England in India 06
James Anderson- (4-40) - In the 3rd test at Mumbai. Gets the big wickets of Dravid and Tendulkar and sets up a test win for England and a series draw.
Shaun Udal- (4-14) ? In the 3rd test at Mumbai. India are skittled out for 100 and Udal takes Tendulkar and Dhoni in a match winning display.
Sri Lanka in England 06
Matthew Hoggard- (4-27) ? In the 1st test at Lords. Sri Lanka were made to follow on after England posted over 500. Despite Sri Lanka convincingly saving the draw, Hoggard did all he could to force the win with this display.
Kevin Pietersen- (142) ? In the 2nd test at Edgbaston. Back to back hundreds but this one in bowling conditions. The next best score of 30 is a telling factor in how important this innings was in securing an England victory.
Pakistan in England 06
Steve Harmison- (6-19) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Truly brilliant bowling display as Pakistan are all out for119.
Steve Harmison (5-57) & Monty Panesar (5-72) - In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Pakistan lose buy an innings. Panesar and Harmison the only bowlers to pick up wickets for England in the game. 18 between them!
Sajid Mahmood- (4-22) ? In the 3rd test at Headingley. England wrap up the series as Pakistan are bowled out for 155. Mahmood bowls quickly and gets his rewards.
The Ashes 06/07
Paul Collingwood (206) & Kevin Pietersen (158) ? In the 2nd test at Adelaide. We all know the result of this test match, but these two innings, on the back of the drubbing in the 1st test, set the game up for an England win or draw. Unfortunately, there?s a man named Shane Warne.
Monty Panesar- (5-92) ? In the 3rd test at Perth. Panesar announced himself in the series, taking 5 wickets on Ashes debut. Australia were bowled out for just 244, their lowest 1st innings total in the series.
Kevin Pietersen (60*) & Alastair Cook (116) ? In the 4th test at Melbourne. England had little hope of saving the series, but a draw would have just kept their faint hopes alive. Cook?s 290 ball hundred and a measured Pietersen innings, in which he ended up unbeaten on 60, were the only fighting knocks as Australia took the urn.
West Indies in England 07
Ryan Sidebottom- (4-42) & (4-44) - In the 2nd test at Headingley. England win by an innings after the batters pile on the runs. But Sidebottom?s efforts with the ball are exceptional as he takes 8-86 in the match.
Alastair Cook- (106) - in the 3rd test at Old Trafford. In hindsight, it turned out to be a huge knock. Without Cook?s hundred, West Indies would have chased down a mammoth 455 and made history. Instead they fell 60 runs shy.
Ryan Sidebottom- (5-88) - In the 4th test at Chester-Le-Street. Sidebottom was yet again, instrumental in England?s victory. West Indies were out for a modest 287 despite Chandepaul?s magnificent unbeaten 136 thanks to Sidebottom.
Monty Panesar- (5-46) ? In the 4th test at Chester-Le-Street. Monty rips through the West Indian defences allowing England to chase a solitary 111 for victory in the final innings.
India in England 07
James Anderson- (5-42) - In the 1st test at Lords. England were one wicket short of victory but Andersons display in the 1st innings was stunning. For a star studded Indian side to be dismissed for 201 in the 1st innings of the series is a top effort. It may, however, have resulted in India bucking up their ideas for the remainder of the series which they ended up winning 1-0.
Kevin Pietersen- (134) - In the 1st test at Lords. England were all out for a mere 282 and KP contributed nearly half those runs. This innings allowed England to go and search for victory which they so nearly obtained.
Kevin Pietersen- (101) ? In the 3rd test at the Oval. His efforts would only end up resulting in a draw, not enough to level the series, but this innings left England 369-6 in the 4th innings. A match saving innings.
England in Sri Lanka 07
Matthew Hoggard- (4-29) ? In the 1st test at Kandy. Sri Lanka were skittled out for just 188. Despite Sri Lanka going on to win the match, this was no fault of Hoggard?s who still managed to take 2-55 in Sri Lanka?s 2nd innings score of 442-8 dec.
Alastair Cook (118) & Matt Prior (19*) - In the 3rd test at Galle. England were all out for an abysmal 81 in the 1st innings and were justly made to follow on. They saved the game, 6 down for 251, with a superb Cook 118 in dangerous Murali conditions and a dogged 100 ball 19* for Matt Prior.
England in New Zealand 08
Ryan Sidebottom- (6-49) - In the 1st test at Hamilton. Not only did Sidebottom secure a test match hat-trick to his name, (with the help of some outstanding catching from Cook), he took an incredible 6 wickets. England ended up 110 all out in their pursuit of 300 but Sidebottom?s display was unfortunate not to be backed up by the batsmen.
James Anderson- (5-73) - In the 2nd test at Wellington. England would end up levelling the series largely thanks to Andersons bowling exploits. Anderson removed all the top 5 batsmen as New Zealand were dismissed for 198 giving England a healthy 1st innings lead of 144.
Kevin Pietersen- (129) ? In the 3rd test at Napier. A massive innings in the whole outcome of the series. England were 4-3, later 34-4 and were eventually bowled out for 253. But this Pietersen innings was immense as he battled with the lower order to give England a 1st innings score that was at least competitive on this pitch.
Ryan Sidebottom- (7-47) ? In the 3rd test at Napier. With the series on the line, Pietersen?s 129 needed to be backed up by some exceptional bowling. Ryan Sidebottom provided that with yet another 5 wicket haul on this memorable tour for the Nottinghamshire bowler. He took 24 wickets in the series at 17 apiece.
Monty Panesar- (6-129) ? In the 3rd test at Napier. New Zealand required an impossible 553 runs for victory. However, they were determined to level the series by batting out for the draw. The England bowlers toiled till late on day 5 before Anderson wrapped up the game. Panesar was the eventual match winning bowler taking 6 for as England secured their 1st away series win since defeating South Africa 2-1 in 2004.
New Zealand in England 08
Monty Panesar- (6-37) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. England were on the wrong end of a 179 run deficit after the 1st innings. England were in need of inspiration and Panesar, from Luton, provided it with a magical display of bowling. New Zealand were bowled out for 114 which then set up a tricky, but reachable 294 runs for England to go 1 up in the series.
Andrew Strauss- (106) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. England chasing a dangerous score of 294 needed a good start. Strauss provided that and went on to score a vital 106 which gave England the impetus to go on and win the game in a comfortable manor by 6 wickets.
Kevin Pietersen- (115) ? In the 3rd test at Trent Bridge. A score of 364 isn?t enough to win a game by an innings. Usually. Pietersen?s reserved hundred in terms of strokeplay, was exactly what the doctor ordered as his batting counterparts faltered at various times through the innings only for the lower order to end up supporting him.
James Anderson- (7-43) ? In the 3rd test at Trent Bridge. New Zealand?s batting was made to look village standard by Anderson in a devastating spell of swing bowling.
Ryan Sidebottom- (6-67) ? Ryan Sidebottom capitalized on swing friendly conditions by taking yet another 5 wicket haul against New Zealand. England went on to win by an innings and 9 runs.
South Africa in England 08
Andrew Flintoff- (4-89) ? In the 3rd test at Edgbaston. A bowling spell which rivalled that at Ricky Ponting in 2005. Took the big wickets of in form McKenzie (72), Smith (7), Kallis (64) and AB de Villiers (5) as South Africa took a 1st innings lead which was considerably less than envisaged at one stage. Despite SA going on to win the test, comfortably, this spell of bowling can?t be disregarded due to its sheer potency and pace.
Kevin Pietersen- (100) ? This innings set the foundations for an England win. While others came and went, (next high score was Steve Harmison?s 49*), Pietersen went on to score yet another test match hundred, and an important one at that.
England in India 08
Andrew Strauss- (123) & (108) ? In the 1st test at Chennai. Strauss came back to form with a brace of hundreds. He set up what looked certain to be an English victory until India memorably chased down 387 for the loss of just 4 wickets. This was, however, no fault of Strauss.
England in West Indies 09
Graeme Swann- (5-57) ? In the 3rd test at St.Johns. In a series that was full of flat tracks and dead wickets, this was one of the few bright sparks for the England bowler. This set up an Old Trafford 2005 esque finish and yet again, unfortunately for England, the game produced the same result as West Indies were able to survive with one wicket in hand.
Kevin Pietersen- (102) ? In the 5th test at Port Of Spain. Quick runs were required in England?s 2nd innings and that is exactly what Pietersen produced. His hundred coming up in 88 deliveries set the game up for yet another dramatic finish as England were agonizingly close, ending up 2 wickets short from levelling the seres.
West Indies in England 09
Ravi Bopara- (143) - In the 1st test at Lords. The only centurion of the match, Ravi Bopara, picked off where he left off in the winter with successive hundred against West Indies. This 1st innings score was, as so often is with hundreds, the basis for a 10 wicket victory for England.
Graham Onions- (5-38) - In the 1st test at Lord. Onions announced himself on the International stage with this precise performance. Bowling wicket to wicket, with a bit of pace as well, Onions set his sights on the summers Ashes series with a fine bowling display.
James Anderson - (5-87) & (4-38) - In the 2nd test at Chester-Le-Street. After England posted a mammoth 569, James Anderson ripped through the West Indies batsmen not once, but twice! In conditions more suited to Andersons style compared to those in the previous series between these two countries earlier in the year, Anderson proved, when swinging, he?s the best in the world.
The Ashes 09
Paul Collingwood- (74) - In the 1st test at Sophia Gardens. A mammoth effort from Colly. Expectations were high for this England side coming into the series but in the 1st test, they were well and truly dominated. With England battling for survival in the 4th innings of the game, Collingwood, (aka ?brigadier block), took on the challenge with a 245 ball, 344 minute stay at the crease. However, he thought he?d thrown it all away when he diverted his shot to Hussey at gully who juggled before taking the catch. It was left down to Panesar (7*) and Anderson (21*) to guide England to safety but the hard work was done beforehand by England?s Mr. Reliable, in an innings that perfectly illustrates what a match saving display is.
Andrew Strauss- (161) ? In the 2nd test at Lords. In the first test, England posted a reasonable 435 in their first innings but the task of saving the match would?ve been so much simpler if one person had gone on to make a hundred. Here, at Lord, England?s captain made no mistake by smashing his way to a memorable 161. An innings that?ll live long in the memory of Strauss.
Andrew Flintoff- (5-92) ? In the 2nd test at Lords. The series in 05 was Freddie?s Ashes, just as it was Botham?s Ashes in 81. This time round, after several serious lay offs, it was not to be for Flintoff, but this performance at Lords was reminiscent of his performances in 05. In his final test series, this devastating spell of bowling is part of the legacy that the big man has left behind.
Stuart Broad- (5-37) ? In the 5th test at The Oval. A match winning performance if there ever was one. A new golden boy was introduced to English sport after this game, and this spell of bowling was too good for the Aussie batsmen. They were skittled for 160 in a game England needed to win to regain The Ashes and a big thanks has to go to Stuart Broad.
Graeme Swann- (4-38) & (4-120) ? In the 5th test at The Oval. While Stuart Broad received the main plaudits, this charismatic character had at the other been whittling away at the remaining Aussie batsmen. In a series that started out so poor for the off spinner at a ?turning? paradise at Cardiff, he game by game rediscovered his mojo to become the best spin bowler in World Cricket.
Jonathan Trott- (119) ? In the 5th test at The Oval. While the media pleaded for Mark Ramprakash?s inclusion for a fairytale story, Flower and the selectors went with their heads by selecting debutant Jonathan Trott from Warwickshire. He did not disappoint, as he scored a gutsy 119 which was enough to set a total well out of Australia?s reach His timely knock was a major factor in England?s Ashes triumph.
England in South Africa 09/10
Kevin Pietersen (81) & Jonathan Trott (69) ? In the 1st test at Centurion. This series was the start of a downhill slope in form for England?s premiere batsmen Kevin Pietersen, but these crucial innings? allowed England to save the game with just one wicket in hand while others around them failed.
Stuart Broad (5-54) & Graeme Swann (4-43) ? In the 2nd test at Durban. These two teamed up again just as they did at the Oval a few months earlier, in a devastating bowling display that ripped through South Africa?s defences. South Africa?s dangerous middle order was made to look village by Broad who simply bowled full and straight and let the conditions do the work. This set it up for a crucial England win as they took a 1-0 series lead.
Ian Bell (78) & Paul Collingwood (40) ? This England innings mirrored that in Cardiff for the first test of the most recent Ashes series. This time it was the turn of Ian Bell to take the reins with a 213 ball 78. Collingwood was his typical self at the other end scoring 40 in 188 deliveries while occupying the crease for just 10 minutes less that hi counterpart. This innings will however be remembered for the change in Ian Bell. Always been able to score pretty 60?s and 70?s while everyone else was also contributing. On this occasion, he himself dug in and enabled England to once again save the game with one wicket remaining.
England in Bangladesh
Graeme Swann (5-90) & (5-127) - In the 1st test at Chittagong. The 1st time Swann has taken 10 wickets in an innings in a comprehensive win against feeble opposition. What is important to take into consideration is that when the pressure is put on Swann on a turning deck, he gets on with the job required and delivers, just as he did on this occasion.
Alastair Cook- (109*) ? In the 2nd test at Dhaka. A successful series for ?Captain Cook?. In Strauss? absence, Cook led by example in England?s pursuit of 209, with the help of Pietersen (74*), for the loss of just 2 wickets.
Bangladesh in England
Jonathan Trott- (226) ? In the 1st test at Lords. After a disappointing winter, Trott saw this series against minnows Bangladesh as a chance to pile on the runs. He did just that with a match defying knock of 226.
Graeme Swann- (5-76) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Swann does it again against the Bangladeshis?. A commanding display in the midst of a rattling 108 by opener Tamim Iqbal.
Steven Finn- (5-42) ? In the 2nd test at Old Trafford. Back to back series against Bangladesh is a kind introduction to Test Match cricket. However, that does not mean Finn is void of talent. He reminds one of a certain Steve Harmison. Tall, bouncy and quick, England may have just unearthed a gem.
So, their you have it. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this piece, and found my findings interesting as I hope you do!
But what stood out more was how the 6 performances you mentioned from '09 were from 6 different players and that is encouraging for England going forward. No reliance on Flintoff or KP. Others can do it too.
thouroughly enjoyed reading that 
