TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

The warning signs were there a long time before last summer, that this English cricket side were living on borrowed time, that it would only take a highly focused thoroughly approach and this side would be taken apart.

Trouble was the cricket establishment that included the very dull opening batsmen that was Graham Gooch, was not listening, perhaps seduced by their superior coaching methods or even their own belief in their ability to spot up and coming talent.

Of course last summer was closer than the 3-0 result suggests, however that was not the point – in English conditions this side has as good a chance as any in world at winning a rubber. It’s when they move away from their familiar surroundings that they are found wanting. It was so against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, in 2012, and it has proved in Australia in 2013/14.

England will be rebuilding the side, and looking to the future, but unless they start showing more creatvity to team selections, as well as bravery, they are always going to struggle against opposition that took the decisions they were afraid to do so long before they meet on a cricket field.