At the risk of sparking handbags at dawn which escalated when i posted a thread about Nixon McLean, I am wondering how anyone expects England to progress when they are knocked down at every turn?
True, their second innings capitulation was disgraceful but knocking this England team for losing to what is undoubtedly an awesome Aus team (it really kills to admit that but there we go) is no disaster.
We should really be judging England at the end of the tour and then by what they have achieved in the last year or so. I would argue they are capable of beating any team at home except Australia and are learning to up their game away from home (except against Australia!). This is a better England team with more promise than for some time. It is fashionable for other countries to knock England as well as our own mindless press but we are up against the ultimate yard stick and if we come away having progressed as a team and blooded a few players like Tudor and Harmison against the best, mission accomplished. Sure, we play to win but I don't think losing the Ashes or should I say failing to regain them is cause for 'national ghashing of teeth day' in this country. It was the manner in which we lost which rankled.
As long as we put up a better fight in the future and perform with more credibility and guts then I'll be happy, win or lose. This Aus team has already whitewashed Pakistan, smashed SA in SA and basically squished everyone in world cricket. A bit of perspective would be novel.
And can other countries stop taking such sad delight at our expense cos the same has happened to your cricket teams too.........
True, their second innings capitulation was disgraceful but knocking this England team for losing to what is undoubtedly an awesome Aus team (it really kills to admit that but there we go) is no disaster.
We should really be judging England at the end of the tour and then by what they have achieved in the last year or so. I would argue they are capable of beating any team at home except Australia and are learning to up their game away from home (except against Australia!). This is a better England team with more promise than for some time. It is fashionable for other countries to knock England as well as our own mindless press but we are up against the ultimate yard stick and if we come away having progressed as a team and blooded a few players like Tudor and Harmison against the best, mission accomplished. Sure, we play to win but I don't think losing the Ashes or should I say failing to regain them is cause for 'national ghashing of teeth day' in this country. It was the manner in which we lost which rankled.
As long as we put up a better fight in the future and perform with more credibility and guts then I'll be happy, win or lose. This Aus team has already whitewashed Pakistan, smashed SA in SA and basically squished everyone in world cricket. A bit of perspective would be novel.
And can other countries stop taking such sad delight at our expense cos the same has happened to your cricket teams too.........