What A Load Of Rubbish

They played Jerusalem just before the start of play but after this load of rubbish by England the theme tune from the Benny Hill Show would have been more appropriate. The batting was just like the collapses of the bad old days. Without the two genuine world class performers, the side looks positively ordinary. The century count now stands at 7-1 in Australia’s favour, enough said really.

The batting was abysmal but the bowling was equally inept. England should be experts where Headingley is concerned and should know exactly the correct length to bowl. Instead they choose to bowl to the opposition batsman’s strengths and then wonder why the ball keeps finding its way to the boundary.

Some of the bowling was quite frankly embarrassing from individuals that are supposed to be the finest bunch of cricketers we have at our disposal. The coaching and backroom staff people do not escape criticism either. England sent down a huge number of short and wide deliveries. The coaches must have seen this and should have sent a message out to them instead of waiting for the end of the session.

Australia made a bold decision where team selection was concerned choosing to recall Stuart Clark and ditching the spinner. This guy creates pressure regardless of the conditions by bowling accurately. That is a skill the England attack is not able to replicate. Clark is 33 years old and let’s be honest if he were English he would have been discarded two years ago because of his age.

The only way England will win the Ashes is by taking 20 wickets in The Oval test match. That looks remote if Flintoff is not in the team. No doubt the former players will warn against knee-jerk reactions with team selection. They need not worry as the selectors will probably continue with the same squad. Maybe it is because they have not got a clue who else to bring in. They talk about the need for consistency but the selectors consistently make the wrong selections.

In 2005, we had good test match players but now we are carrying far too many potentially good test match players. Potential does not win the Ashes and there comes a time when players have to start delivering the goods or lose their place. The whole set-up continues to be far too cosy with players not having to worry about being dropped due to poor performances.

When Andrew Strauss said the Aussies had lost their aura he also made Ricky Ponting’s team talk much easier. Talk about putting your foot in it. They may have lost their aura but they seem to have quickly found a new one. England better put the thinking caps on because they only have one chance left to win the series.

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