The Fourth Test: A defining moment

A techtonic shift became apparent yesterday, once a decade or less a new cricketing super power rises, for some time the old and the new reign together as the Aussies and The West Indies did in the mid to late seventies, but then one reigns supreme as the west indies did through the eighties and australia did from the early 90s till 2005.

Yesterday it was confirmed that england has arrived, one odd test does not make a summer but now England has virtually won three. It is true that Mcgrath was missing or injured but his days are anyway numbered and Australia will have to soon do ithout him.

This doesnot mean that Australia will fade away for they are a great athletic nation as apparent in their Olympic tally and excellence at Hockey, swimming etc. They have an excellent coaching structure and facilities from school level onwards that I have myself experienced and a fine first class cricket structure. So they will maintain a good team but their great days are gone, barring some new extraordinary talent.

India lacks the fast pitches and facilitiesand Pakistan lacks the facilities and first class structure.

The last test of this Ashes series should be a cracker with the two top teams in the world competing, one to win the ashes and the other to keep them.