Whether it be an English win in the first Test at Hyderabad, or an India victory in the second at Vizag, this IND vs ENG series has perhaps been the most competitive, in a long time. And former fast bowler Steve Harmison, who was part of a memorable 2003-04 series against the West Indies, where he took 7/12 at Kingston, believes England’s win in the opening match against India, is even more remarkable than that series 20 years back.
For the record, that series win was their first in the West Indies since 1968. Not just that, it saw some great performances throughout, with Brian Lara setting the record for highest-score in Tests — 400. “It is England’s greatest win overseas I have seen in isolation,” Harmison told The Hindu.
“England’s wins here in India in 2012 and in Australia in 2010-11 have been the best series victories. And this England side has a chance to emulate that. To play the way it did in Hyderabad I thought it was the greatest win I ever saw.”
The lanky fast bowler added, that the series had produced some exceptional cricket throughout. “I think both sides have played positively and tried to win, and that has made for better cricket. India will be favourite in its own backyard but England has given it something to think about.”
Jasprit Bumrah the Best Bowler
Not just that, Harmison reserved great praise for Jasprit Bumrah. “Bumrah’s spell in the first innings here was unbelievable,” he said. “I think he is the best fast bowler in the world across formats at this moment of time. That one hour in Hyderabad, in which he got (Joe) Root and (Ben) Duckett out, I thought it was as good a spell of fast bowling I have seen in a long, long time. His skill was brilliant.”
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