Disgraceful
So, England lose the third test match in Pakistan, and lose the test series 2-0. Although I may not have recorded my thoughts here, after the Ashes victory over Australia, I did tell many people that Pakistan would be a much greater test of just how good England are. If England really were the best cricket team in the world, they would show their mettle in the subcontinent. Only then could they show they are the best.
Granted, the subcontinent is not the easiest place to go, but the best team in the world does not go and lose 2-0, with a series of batting displays which belong in with the captaincy of Michael Atherton's time, and the shot selection of Jack Russell.
I think I am vindicated in maintaining that England cannot claim to be the best team in the world. Australia's reassertion of authority against the West Indies (despite Brian Lara's best efforts) in my opinion shows that they are still the best - not as good as they were in their peak, but still at the top, with a real killer instinct.
If England are to show that they really are approaching a team that could be called the 'best in the world', then they need to get their act together in time for the tour in India in three months. The batting needs to be much more solid - if we are going to go with 7 batsmen, we must have more than two or three of them making scores, it must be at least five, and really six.
Secondly, shot selection must also be much better. What's the point of trying to smash the ball out of the ground when you have five days to play a test match?
Thirdly, it's a tour on India. What do you need in India? A decent spinner. When can Shane Warne qualify for England?
Finally, we need to show we can remove difficult batsmen. In Pakistan, we failed to remove Inzamam-ul-Haq. If we struggle against him, what will we do with Sachin Tendulkar? If we cannot deal with him, we will have real difficulties.
England aren't the best yet. I'm not convinced they're even close.
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