England completed a remarkable victory over the travelling Asian team Sri Lanka at Headingley.
They demolished the Lankans for just 91 in the first innings and 119 in the second and managed an victory with an innings and 88 runs to spare.
The game ended within three days showing the dominance the English have on their soil and former England batsman Sir Ian Botham felt that they might be the best team in the world in Test Cricket at the moment.
Botham sympathized with the lack of experience in the visiting squad and felt that they must be given a bit of leeway but the manner in which they were bundled out does not make for a goof viewing if you are a Sri Lanka supporter.
“A lot of these guys won’t have seen anything quite like this,” said the former England all-rounder.
“They’ve got a couple of experienced players and the openers have played about 20 games I think, but after that they really are novices, particularly in English conditions, so you have to give them a bit of leeway,” he added.
He went on to add that though Sri Lanka were poor, nothing must be taken away from England who were just unplayable during the last two days.
He said, “It’s very easy for us to forget that England are a very good Test team. They’re a team that I think will go to No 1 in the world in the next year or so, as soon as they can.”
He also went on to explain that the quality in the squad will challenge even the best teams in the world and that the victory in the game even after losing a bowler to injury shows their character.
They’ll be right back up there very shortly and that’s what these teams do. England have got an exceptionally good bowling attack – and they were a bowler down don’t forget,” he added.
Ben Stokes, the bowler who picked up an injury sat out the last two days of the game but is expected to be fit enough to play in the next game at Chester-le-street.
Sir Ian Botham revealed that Stokes will surely be a part of the team for that game and added that his home advantage can help the team to their second victory in the series.
“First and foremost, I’d be very surprised if Ben Stokes doesn’t play at Durham. It’s a home game for him and he’ll be desperate to do well,” he said.
He also went on to explain that if Stokes is not given the chance, it will be the perfect time to use someone like Jake Ball and hand him his debut.
Ian Botham said that with the whole team in some good form, Ball will not get a better chance to settle into the squad.
“It gives you an opportunity in the actual arena because the team is playing so well, it’s much easier to test players and give them an outing than when you’re struggling. It’d be a perfect opportunity if that’s what they want to do,” Botham concluded.