Strauss-led England deserves to be World No.1-ranked Test team: Glenn McGrath

 Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath expects the Andrew Strauss-led England side to continue in their bid to become the country’s most successful side in years.

England claimed the number-one Test ranking for the first time in 32 years after winning the recent four-match Test series against India. 

To top the championship table for the first time under the current ranking system, which was introduced in June 2003, Strauss’ side needed to win the series by a 2-0 margin or better.

“It has been an interesting time, especially with the way England have played. I think England have a great bowling attack and when you have that, it gives you a lot of confidence and they deserve to be number one,” the Daily Express quoted McGrath, as saying.

“Now, I think it’s about consistency and longevity. If they can keep the same team together then they’ll be tough to beat,” he added.

McGrath further believes that ‘quality bowler’ James Anderson has helped transform England’s fortunes.

“I always had a lot of respect for Jimmy and I always thought he was a quality bowler. He is now showing he can bowl in conditions outside of England which is great. It shows he’s developing into the quality bowler,” the fast bowler said.

“Now he has Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett bowling with him and they’ve been great. Those fast bowlers along with Graeme Swann are working well. When you have the same bowling attack game after game it really does fill you with a lot of confidence. To me, that is the reason why England are number one,” he added.