England show India who are the top dogs

Andrew Strauss' England team look set to become the new world number one test nation after taking a 2-0 lead in the four match series with India.

Before the test series began, England knew that a win by two clear tests would be enough to send them to the top of the world rankings.

The resurgence of Stuart Broad in the last two test matches has lead to England being in the position where the number one rating is within touch.

Before the test series started, it was Broad who's test place was at risk due to poor form in all forms of cricket over the past few months. Tim Bresnan was likely to replace Broad for the 1st Test Match at Lords however the England selectors stuck by Broad and what a decision that has turned out to be.

At Lords Broad took seven wickets overall and scored a vital 74 not out as England went on to secure a 196 run victory. In the second test at Trent Bridge, Broad took another eight Indian wickets, including a hat-trick in India's first innings at a vital time leaving him with figures of 6-46 and match figures of 8-76. His batting at Trent Bridge also proved vital for England as he top scored in the first innings to rescue England with 64. In the second innings he again produced with the bat with a majestic 44.

Thanks to Broad, England went on to crush India at Trent Bridge by 318 runs. With two tests left to play at Edgbaston and The Kia Oval, odds on England becoming the new test number one have been slashed.

The form of Alistair Cook looks to have dipped slightly as he hasn't made double figures in the series as yet. However he can be forgiven for a dip in form due to his outstanding form over the last seven or eight months. Kevin Pietersen looks to have returned to form with a fantastic 202 not out in the first test at Lords, helping England to a comanding 474 for 8 declared. The other batsmen who have shon are Matt Prior and Ian Bell, with Prior scoring a vital 71 in the first innings at Lords and 103 not out in the second innings.
Ian Bell's 159 in  the second innings at Trent Bridge, albeit controversial with the run out which was later withdrawn by India, proved to give England the spring board for victory.



All of a sudden, the apparent rule of India in all forms of cricket looks to be vunerable. Even if England don't manage to win the series by two clear tests, it cannot be denied that they are playing the best cricket and despite the rankings, England are the best test side in the world.