The total humiliation of the English cricket team in their latest match against Pakistan has to be a new low-point in English sport.
The performance of the batsmen, confronted by a couple of decent spinners, was pathetic and showed just how lacking in real ability most of them are. Put them on a flat, beautifully true English wicket against a myriad of mediocre seamers and they score heavily; send them in on a slightly less perfect wicket against bowlers who have a trifle more skill and they simply have no idea of what to do.
Today's almost microscopic second innings total of 72, when needing just 145 for victory, was shocking. That 9 of the batsmen contributed a mere 13 to that total between them shows a degree of ineptitude that takes some explaining. Playing back to a turning ball is rarely a good idea; leaving large gaps between bat and pad likewise, and yet our 'supermen' did just this with gay abandon. Added to the regular habit of several of swishing at deliveries outside of the wicket, and we have a recipe for disaster.
There remains one more match against Pakistan for the team to redeem some of its lost pride but hopes cannot be high. After that, it will be off to Sri Lanka for 3 more Tests on similar wickets, followed by competitions against the West Indies and South Africa in England and a trip to India next winter.
What price they retain their current' No 1' ranking ? What price Andrew Strauss will still be captain in India ?
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