John Stern has calculated that on current form England are probably the fourth ranked team in the world and despite England’s second placing in the ICC Test Championship table, he’s probably right. There is a lag in the table that masks England's undeniable slippage.

By their own performance measurements too, England are way down in the belly of the doldrums. Immediately following the Ashes victory, the England camp announced that their goal was to beat every team in the world over the following 2 years. England’s record since they announced this goal; played 5, lost 3, drawn 2. Injury woes aside, it makes unattractive reading for an England fan.

As fans though, do we really (come on now, really) care. We’re midway between two Ashes campaigns and whatever England do or don’t do against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and in the ICC Champions Trophy, I sense that all will be forgiven if the little urn is retained in Australia. And isn’t that still the Holy Grail? Yeah, of course it is.

England collapsed in Pakistan. Also, England lost a test they should have probably drawn in India. Ashes is not the only thing which is important. If it were so, please stop playing any other cricket.

Weren't the same English fans going blah blah when they drew the first test match?

Don't expect to be the best in the world, then. Ok?

After the Ashes, England proclaimed themselves as the giant killer and the new #1 challenger to the Aussies. However since those Ashes, everything has gone sour.
England by far are the most overrated sides in cricket. The nagging injuries to their star players causes a major problem in bringing their "A" game. It is fair to say that England doesnt deserve to be in the top 4 of the icc test team rankings. The only reason they are ranked so high is because they play alot of game at home. But what makes a team a notch above the rest is its ability to adapt to different conditions at any time. Their first failure in Pakistan showed their fraility. Aus is considered the best team since they have won in every venue they have taken part in, they conquered the subcontinent with ease and the rest of the world in merciless at their knees.
As for current competitors to the Aus domination, I believe only two teams are able compete with them. RSA and Ind are the only teams that can pose a threat to them. As for RSA, one great series against Aus was just luck. All i can say is watch the outcome next time.

Australia won 5-0 in the summer in 6 tests against WI and SA. They're bloody hard to beat at home. If England play the way they have in India and Pakistan (injuries aside) they'll not retain the urn. They wont. Simple as that.

Keval:

"The only reason they are ranked so high is because they play alot of game at home"

Englands last 28 Test matches = 14 home, 14 away

Seems an even split to me??

And "England proclaimed themselves a Giant Killer"

Isn't that exactly what they had just done!