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England can become the No.1 test side in the world this week if they win the third test of the series against India.
Victory at Edgbaston would not only secure a series victory for Andrew Strauss men, but as it guarantees a win by two clear tests, it means England would leapfrog India at the top of the rankings.
There is no doubt that England are in good shape to do just that. They have been excellent in the first two test matches and proven that they are arguably the best test team in the world right now anyway, regardless of current rankings.
The home side will be forced into one change to their side though with the news that Jonathan Trott has been replaced by Ravi Bopara because of injury.
This means that Ian Bell will move up to No.3 in the batting order, with Bopara likely to come into the middle order as he plays his first test match in two years.
There was talk that England would go with a fresh face to replace Trott, but sticking to their consistent selection policy, they have gone for Essex man Bopara and he will now be hoping to repay their faith in them with a productive match.
The biggest decision England now have to make in the build-up to the third test is which bowlers to leave out. It is widely expected that they will stick with the 7 batsman, 4 bowlers approach, so this means that Chris Tremlett or Tim Bresnan must miss out.
Bresnan came in for the injured Tremlett at Trent Bridge and performed fantastically well with bat and ball. The position in the side is now his and it will probably remain this way.
It is harsh on Tremlett to miss out, but it highlights the strength in depth that England have. He will just have to grab his next opportunity with both hands.
As for India, they are boosted by the return of Virender Sehwag at the top of the order, but they have lost plenty of experience with the news that Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan will miss the remainder of the series through injury.
MS Dhoni’s men now need to raise their game when it matters most and hope that two or three fresh faces will turn their fortunes around.
England are overwhelming favourites to win the third test and therefore the series, but India surely have to put up more of a fight than they have done so far?
It should be another fascinating test match.
