Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
New Zealand need to do some serious thinking if they want to restore their credibility in Test cricket.
Another promising start in the Test series against England was squandered away through indecision and lack of application.
In every Test of the three-match encounter, the Kiwis had a chance to beat England. But they failed at crucial moments and finally handed the series on a platter to the home team.
It was not as if England were in top gear at all times. There were chinks in the England armour which the Kiwis exposed but did not exploit.
England's middle-order did not fire with both Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood being out-of-form. However, the lower order was allowed to wag, particularly in the last Test.
The time has come for the Kiwis to replace their coach John Bracewell. The team has lost consistency in his regime.
Sadly, the Kiwis continue to make the same mistakes. The total lack of application cannot be condoned.
Bracewell's bleatings in retrospect fails to convince.
The Kiwis are in need of a major shake-up. The faster it comes, the better it will be. There is enough talent in the side which needs to be harnessed.
It will be sad if promising players like Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Daniel Flynn are not given the right advice at the start of their careers.
Taylor, particularly, is an exciting prospect. His innings of 154 in the second Test was a gem. But he did not maintain the consistency required at the top level by being impetuous.
England need to thank their bowlers for enhancing their reputation in Test cricket again. Both James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom had a great series in conditions which suited them.
Anderson had his best series to date. He has put in a lot of hard work and it finally paid off. Sidebottom is fast becoming the leader of the pack and he did nothing wrong in the three Tests for anyone to think otherwise.
Stuart Broad continued his good work and his batting proved decisive in the third Test. He may one day become a top all-rounder if his batting is worked upon.
Monty Panesar had a quiet series except for his one big moment in the sun. He brought in England back with a fantastic spell of spin bowling in the second Test.
Andrew Strauss fully deserved the Man-of-the-Series award. He is now back to his best and this will be the biggest bonus for England in the future.
Skipper Michael Vaughan also found form while Kevin Pietersen came good when needed.
The New Zealand captain will be the most worried man in cricket at the moment. He does more than his bit every time. But when will his teammates see the light and follow the skipper's example?
