Ashes to Ashes.... (Other Test Series...)

Member Name: AR156

Product:	Other Test Series...
Date:	17/06/01 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Trescothick, Shah, Hussain

Disadvantages: Stewart, Knight, Middle order collapses

Oh how things can turn around. After the end of the first test match between England and Pakistan there seemed to be a real sense of hope and pride that the home side had undergone a complete renaissance. Our plummett to the bottom of the world rankings just two short years ago was a distant memory. Here was a side on a roll and brimming with deserved confidence. Perhaps, a few brave people whispered at the back, this was a side genuinely capable of taking on the might of Australia to reclaim that most illusive of trophies, The Ashes.

Since then we have not won a single game. Worse still matches have been thrown away in the most terrible way. I have suddenly rediscovered that sinking feeling of watching the middle order fold like a paper bag in a monsoon.

This catalogue of disaster can only have harmed England in their preparations for The Ashes and although they have been playing with a depleted and inexperienced side, confidence must be at an all time low.

Whilst there have been small glimmers of hope in the shape of Trescothick and Shah, more experienced players such as Stewart, Knight and Cork have done little to justify their selection into what is supposed to be a team that represents the elite of the nation's talent. Is this the best we can offer?

Perhaps, and I sincerely hope this is the case, the return of Atherton, Hussain, Thorpe and White will give England the strength in depth that we so desperately need to avoid the sort of collapses that have plagued the one day side. If not then the summer is going to be another dismal one for English supporters.

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