Stuart Broad joins Jimmy Anderson in the world's top five

 

England now have three bowlers in the world's top five. For once, this reflects exactly why they have also become the world's No 1 Test side.

Stuart Broad broke into the upper order of the ICC rankings with his career-best performance in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, in which he took 11 for 165. It puts him third equal in the list with his new-ball partner, Jimmy Anderson. Both are on 783 points behind South Africa's Dale Steyn and Saeed Ajmal of Pakistan. Graeme Swann is fifth. Ajmal, England's nemesis in Pakistan's 3-0 victory last winter, is the chief reason why so many batsmen have dropped down the rankings. Only Alastair Cook remains in the top 10, at No 6. Broad is third in the all-rounders' list.

England yesterday announced their itinerary for the Test and one-day tours of India later this year and early next. They will play four Tests and two Twenty20 matches before Christmas and five one-day internationals in January. It is sure to be the topic of some discussion among the squad when they gather in Nottingham for the s econd Test against West Indies.

England Test and T20 Squads: Tour to India 2012

3-5 November 3-day tour match Mumbai, BKC

8-11 November 4-day tour match Ahmedabad, SPS Navrangpura

15-19 November 1st Test Match Ahmedabad, Motera

23-27 November 2nd Test Match Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium

5-9 December 3rd Test Match Kolkata

13-17 December 4th Test Match Nagpur

20 December 1st T20 (F) Pune

22 December 2nd T20 (F) Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium

23 December Team departs India

England ODI Squad: Tour to India 2013

6 January 50-over tour match (D/N) Venue tbc

8 January 50 over tour match Venue tbc

11 January 1st ODI (D/N) Rajkot

15 January 2nd ODI (D/N) Kochi

19 January 3rd ODI (D/N) Ranchi

23 January 4th ODI (D/N) Dharamshala

27 January 5th ODI (D/N) Mohali

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Back Spain to shut out Tahiti

The spread betting firms are very slow about pricing up this game and you can understand why. All th...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales

The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes

Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...

by Gareth Purnell

       
 
Career Services

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over