England dominated strong India: Flower

Victorious coach gives credit to team for superb show.

LONDON: England coach Andy Flower has praised his side’s achievement of whitewashing India 4-0 in their recent Test series.

While many pundits were quick to acknowledge England’s overall excellence, there was widespread criticism of the way in which India, who started the series as the world’s top Test side, acquitted themselves in England.

India’s smallest margin of defeat in the four Tests was a huge 196 runs in the series opener at Lord’s and England, who replaced India at the top of the Test rankings and dropped their opponents down to third place, finished with an innings and eight-run win at The Oval on Monday.

However, Flower said England’s achievement in humbling a side featuring such star batsmen as Sachin Tendulkar should not be diminished in any way.

“They have dominated a very good side here,” said Flower. “To play like we did and to dominate them is a great credit to these England players.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th,  2011.