'Don't Think Quality Was...': Atherton Downplays ‘Best Series' Label Of IND-ENG Tie
Michael Atherton has compared the recent Test series against India to the 2005 Ashes, saying it was not as thrilling but still the best since '05.
Former England cricketer Michael Atherton has said that the recent Test series against India was not upto the level of the 2005 Ashes, which is considered to be one of the most contested and thrilling series in the history of Tests, which England clinched 2-1.
The series started with India's Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant scoring twin hundreds in a losing cause as England chased their second-highest total in Test history, before India hit back at Edgbaston.
At Lord's, the game hung in the balance, with Ravindra Jadeja's resilient knock almost engineering an Indian win against England. But England still managed to eke out a 22-run win.
Trailing 2-1 in the series, India confronted a potential setback when Pant fractured his toe, but he returned to the crease to score a gritty half-century. India drew the game with a valiant effort.
As the series decider at The Oval approached, India rose to the occasion, delivering a stellar performance that ripped through England's batting lineup, taking six wickets for just 35 runs in the chase.
Multiple former cricketers praised both sides for showing exceptional skill and courage across all five Tests. Looking back on the series, former England skipper Nasser Hussain questioned Atherton on whether it ranked as the best series, or even went past, the iconic 2005 Ashes.
'I don't think the quality was as good as '05. I don't think I've seen a better series than the '05 Ashes. It was a great team on the decline and the emerging team, absolutely great players at the top of their game," Atherton said while speaking on Sky Sports.
'But it was probably the best series since '05. The 2023 Ashes was fantastic, but I'll put this series as the best series since '05 because of those dramatic moments, like Woakes and like Rishabh Pant," Atherton added.
England won the series 2-1 as Australia couldn't eke out a win to manage a draw in the final Test at the Oval.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a few seconds ago
- Indian Express
Aakash Chopra on KL Rahul's chances of getting selected for Asia Cup 2025 squad: ‘If something is stopping him, it's his own mindset'
KL Rahul in T20 cricket is an enigma despite churning out runs season after season in the IPL. The question of strike rate has always hung around him. Do modern T20 has a place for an anchor like him or not is a different debate; however, Rahul has all the shots to play the modern way, which can integrate him into any side, and with his versatility of batting at any number, he is an asset. However, will he be picked for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which is to be played in the shorter format? Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra answered on his YouTube channel to a query. 'Very, very interesting one. Your question is absolutely valid because he is a good player. If you see his IPL numbers, they are outstanding. In the recent past, no player has been a 600-run bank like him. However, a reputation has developed that he plays very slow at times,' he responded 'If something is stopping him, it's his own mindset. Sometimes his legs are shackled, and when the mindset is right, he flies with wings. I feel he has the game. I remember a shot, it was the Indore ground, and he hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six over cover, and I was like wow. However, then you also get knocks when you feel that he should hit, but he thinks differently,' he observed. 'He cannot play as an opener because the opening story has ended, unfortunately, for the time being. Sanju Samson is there with Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal is behind them, and I am putting Shubman Gill's name also at the fourth spot. Four people are standing in the line,' he said 'Ishan Kishan is saying that he is also there. Everyone wants to open. So there is no place for an opener. You will have to play in the middle order, and there, Jitesh Sharma is one, who has done very well, played an excellent IPL, and made his team win. Sanju Samson is opening at the moment. So a keeper is not required. Dhruv Jurel is also standing behind,' Chopra observed.
Indian Express
a few seconds ago
- Indian Express
Kriish Tyagi the only Indian in US Open Junior Championships says he feels ready now
Tennis player Kriish Tyagi is the only Indian in the US Open Junior Tennis Championships 2025, which is scheduled to start from August 31. Hailing from Bengaluru, Tyagi started as a swimmer at the age of 10, and he switched to Tennis. He has already managed to participate in Wimbledon and the Australian Open. 'Hitting with the players, being a part of that environment, made me feel like I belonged,' Tyagi said. 'I was a little nervous during my singles match at Wimbledon- the crowd and atmosphere, it's not something I was used to. But I took that reflection into my doubles and I felt much more confident.' 'For the US Open, we skipped a few events to make time for physical, mental, and skillful training. I feel more ready now,' he added. 'One key thing I want to bring to the US Open is strength, physical dominance, and mental resilience during clutch points. That's where I believe I can grow,' said Kriish. The 18-year-old is the current number one from India in the Juniors category. US Open seniors category has always been at the forefront of the tennis world when it comes to prize money distribution, the first Grand Slam that announced pay parity all the way back in 1973, championed by Billie Jean King. On Wednesday, the tournament announced that the 2025 edition will create a new record in tennis history. The prize money at 2025 US Open will rise to nearly $85 million across all competitions this year, including a record $5 million each to the women's and men's singles champions, and total player compensation (including costs earmarked for hotel and food and not associated with performance) is $90 million, jumping 20%. The US Tennis Association announced the payouts Wednesday for the year's last Grand Slam tournament, which begins with the new mixed doubles event and its $1 million top check on Aug. 19-20. Singles competition starts on a Sunday for the first time — Aug. 24 — as those brackets expand from 14 days to 15.
India Today
a few seconds ago
- India Today
Stop hoarding privilege: Johnson slams Cricket Australia CEO's take on lesser Tests
Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has criticised Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg's remarks suggesting that the future of Test cricket lies in reducing the number of nations competing in the format. Greenberg recently argued that Test matches should be limited to the top teams to maintain financial stability and ensure 'quality' claimed that forcing smaller boards to play the five-day format could drive them towards bankruptcy, suggesting that 'scarcity in Test cricket is our friend, not our foe.' He pointed to the Ashes as an example of how meaningful rivalries between elite nations remain however, strongly disagreed, stating that cutting back opportunities for developing nations would damage the very fabric of the game. Writing in his column for the West Australian, he argued that leadership lies in lifting others up rather than shutting them out. 'The solution isn't to scale Test cricket down to three or four rich countries,' Johnson wrote. 'It's to help the rest grow. Players want it, fans want it — so why are we making it so hard? What these nations lack isn't passion, it's support. And if the ICC and the so-called big three want to protect the future, they need to stop hoarding the privilege and start sharing the responsibility.'He stressed that the meaning of Test cricket is not determined by broadcasting revenue but by national pride. 'A Sri Lanka v Pakistan series might not break streaming records, but to the players and fans it means everything. You don't protect that by cutting it off. You protect it by investing in it.'Johnson also highlighted the irony of Test cricket being labelled 'too expensive,' while money continues to pour into new T20 leagues worldwide. He pointed out that South Africa, the reigning World Test champions, do not have a single home Test scheduled this summer, calling it a sign of misplaced priorities.'The money is there — it's just being pointed the wrong way,' Johnson wrote. He suggested that a share of revenue from major Test series should be reinvested into grassroots cricket, coaching and infrastructure across call was clear: Test cricket's future will not be saved by restricting it to a few. Instead, it requires shared responsibility, fair investment and a commitment to ensuring that all cricketing nations have the opportunity to play the format that remains the ultimate test of skill and character.- EndsMust Watch
