Englishmen edge past Australians in Ashes series over 2010 statistics

SYDNEY - Only four Australian cricketers would be named if a composite side of Australians and Englishmen was selected on the basis of their performances in 2010, cricket columnist David Sygall has said.

The analysis of statistics found that England has every right to be confident heading into the series after a year that so far has brought seven Test wins, two losses and one draw.

“Englishmen dominate the bowling line-up, Stuart Broad and James Anderson having captured 64 wickets between them from their combined 16 Tests. England’s best-performed bowler is spinner Graeme Swann, with a remarkable 51 wickets at an average of 23,” Sygall wrote in an article for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Only NSW left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger forces his way into the team after a year in which he snared 29 wickets in seven Tests,” he added.

Sygall further said that the statistics supported Australian batsmen.

“Ironically, pressured middle-order batsman Mike Hussey wins the No.5 spot, having notched up 442 runs in eight Tests, while another player feeling the heat, Michael Clarke, is at No.4,” he said.

“Opening the batting is Australia’s rock-solid left-hander Simon Katich, with England’s Alastair Cook, whose 10 Tests have yielded 710 runs. Ian Bell is at No.6 with two centuries in six Tests and an average of 71.5,” he added.

Sygall however admitted that the Australians have had relatively tough year with tournaments against Pakistan, New Zealand and India, while England played four of their 10 Tests against Bangladesh, following series against South Africa and Pakistan. (ANI)