... While England reach crossroads

With the test series with India over it has been a mixed summer for England’s cricketers both as a team but also for the individuals involved.

At the beginning of the series England were lying second in the world rankings, albeit a distant one to Australia, with India in third place so there was plenty at stake for both countries.
The Lords Test Match was dominated by England as we witnessed yet another touring side fail to compete under English conditions in the first match.
It is almost a certainty that the lack of preparation matches leads to a one-sided match in favour of the hosts and until the various managements address this issue this trend will continue.
England were very unlucky to see their hopes of victory dashed by the weather and since this was only a three-match series it may have been the crucial moment for both sides.
From that moment on the Indians took total control and dominated proceedings for the next two matches.
Winning the toss at Trent Bridge and bowling out England for an inadequate 198 gave them the platform for a fine batting display.
Although no centuries were scored the entire top six made significant contributions and a lead of 283 was always going to be difficult to make up and in the end this proved to be the case.
With this momentum and winning the toss again at the Oval the third test proved an equally one-sided affair although India failed to seal a win their first innings batting probably deserved. However, the touring side only needed a draw to take the series so Raul Dravid was very conservative with his second innings declaration to be become only the third Indian captain to win on English soil.
For England a lot more questions have been raised about their future from these matches than the easy victories over the West Indies.
They have reached a crossroads and need to make a decision whether to persist in trying to put back together the team that beat Australia in 2005 or look to the future with a new group of players.
The selectors have been helped by Ashley Giles retiring and Simon Jones breaking down again, surely his international prospects are finally at an end, but indecision remains elsewhere.
Marcus Trescothick is still suffering from stress-related issues, Flintoff has been injured all summer, Steve Harmison has problems with both form and touring and the opening pair of Strauss and Cook are finding life very tough as they have both been worked out by opening bowlers. Only Hoggard, who has been injured for the past three games, has had his reputation unaffected by his absence.
The time has probably come to accept that Trescothick will never be a regular member of this team again and look for a permanent replacement … but this is trickier than it sounds.
A year ago it seemed Strauss and Cook would fill the void perfectly but this has changed since the winter with Strauss the one most at risk of being discarded.
Cook’s international career is still in its infancy and all players go through a tough period so he should be given an extended period to come to terms with his tendency to fall over his front pad. A quality coach and plenty of hours in the nest should see him OK for the tour of Sri Lanka.
Strauss on the other hand has more problems as it appears his game has not moved on for some time now, and not through a lack of effort I am sure. If he has not managed to sort out the faults by now then it suggests they may never be resolved.
England are very loyal to their players which is important when trying to build a quality long term side but this can sometimes be detrimental.
Just imagine Australia dealing with such poor performances in the same way, it would never happen.
On the bowling front Flintoff is vital as he also adds balance whilst Harmison just needs to toughen up and accept his role in the team as the main strike bowler.
He has the talent of that there is no doubt but his mind can let himself down occasionally. England, if they are ever to challenge Australia again, need him to be 100 per cent, all of the time.
The last problem is that of wicket keeping but here there is a complete blind spot. Until the best wicket keeper and not the best wicket keeper/ batsman is picked then problems will always occur.
Prior conceded the most byes in a three match series ever, dropped important catches and never scored enough runs to make up for it and should be replaced by either Reid or Foster and finally let the top six make the runs required and stop relying on the lower order.
England are close to having another good test side but unless they let go of the past they may find the future runs away from them.
This is when members of the management team earn their money and it will be interesting to see whether they have the same ruthlessness required as world champions, Australia.

By Patrick Cummings
patrick.cummings@blueyonder.co.uk