Heartland

So the inevitable backlash to the Ashes victory is well and truly underway. After losing the first test, England will be very lucky to avoid defeat in the second, being 107-5 at tea chasing 285 on the last day.

All the fair-weather fans are nowhere to be seen...

It might help if we had sent some top order batsmen out there who inspire confidence rather than watching a succession of people that you expect to be out next ball - and lo and behold they are!! Too many of our batsmen fail too often and we usually rely on one good knock and the tail to get us out of trouble.

An out of form captain doesn't help either.

The Ashes was a great success - but the press seem to think that we will beat everybody all of the time which simply won't happen. I still don't think we are the best in the world - but we are not far off.

gets off soap box

All the fair weather fans have drifted back to Chelsea by now......

10 for 3 rather sums up our powers of resistance and concentration.

Still, at least we have that sense of familiarity back.

To be honest though, we're only two or three players short of being an outstanding team. And they have put up a good fight in patches over the two tests so far.

Can anyone on here spin a ball? Even a bit. If so, the management may want to hear from you.

Bats of balsa wood.

But realistically we hardly ever win tests in Pakistan. Partly because we hardly ever play over there, but largely because it's one of the hardest places to go.

The Ashes win was about the gap closing between an unbeatable Australia and the rest of world cricket. Right now there are four teams who are fairly close to each other. Makes it a bit more interesting.

Alternatively, pick more Durham players. I'm serious. When we had two in an Ashes test side for the first time ever, we won the Ashes! For the first time in 18 years! Job done. Strong Durham, strong England.

i think we're being a tad harsh here people in succumbing to the british tabloid disease of declaring our sportsmen to be either the very best or the very worst in the world depending solely on the latest result.

our top five batsmen currently all average over forty in tests and three of them have averaged forty plus in the current series. admittedly, neither strauss nor vaughan has yet to have a decent knock but surely everyone is allowed a lean patch? and let's not brush over the fact that we've twiced scored over 400.

for me, our depleted bowling attack is more of a cause for concern. as always in the sub-continent, our lack of any decent spinners is exposed as a major weakness. add in the continuing absence of simon jones and our bowlers just aren't doing enough to put the pakistani batsmen under pressure.

anyway, in the time it's taken me to write this, the umpires have offered us the light and we've escaped with a battling draw which means there's still every chance of us tying the series 1-1.

oh, and as far as the "new" fans go, i think the fact that at least half of every day's play takes place whilst any sane englishmen is still tucked up in bed has as much to do with it as recent results.

You may have a point on the timing of play there Richie.

Yay a draw! Although to be fair, some of the most exciting games I've seen have been draws. And given the scores at lunch and at tea, I think England did well to get to close of play (or the light offer) without capitulation.

It is the bowling that's the problem, I agree; Freddie can't be expected to bowl 18-over spells in the heat of the sub-continent can he?

I would put my name forward as a half-decent (well, maybe quarter-decent) leg-spinner but I've put my shoulder out.

markfiend wrote:I would put my name forward as a half-decent (well, maybe quarter-decent) leg-spinner but I've put my shoulder out.

Put it back in then. Lame excuse. One in ten of my leg-spinners is unplayable. The other nine are unfortunately within reach of the batsman, who duly t**t them hard.

I'm not optimistic about the final test...looks like it's either going to be a 1-0 or 2-0 series defeat, with the odds slightly in favour of the former...

India 188 all out in 45.5 overs; South Africa 189-0 in 35.5 overs.

hallucienate wrote:India 188 all out in 45.5 overs; South Africa 189-0 in 35.5 overs.

That'll be one of them 'comprehensive' victories then.