It was a test series that England were expected to win and win comfortably at that. As I listened to yesterday's final enthralling session, my flat mate mentioned to me about the Aussies once again tearing the South Africans to shreds, my response was that England are a long way from challenging our friends Down Under and that we're trying to scrape a draw with a fairly poor, if resurgent West Indian side.
And that is exactly where England are right now, down there in lower regions of test cricket. Yes, the batting was good in places, but it was helped by so very friendly pitches for batsmen, but the bowling was, at times, dire. Yesterday I berated Andrew Strauss for not declaring before lunch and I stand by that, yet the real cause of the defeat was that Nash and Chanderpaul were dropped and given lives, something that is always likely to bite you on the backside.
In truth the Windies won the series in one session when they sensationally bowled England out for 51 in Jamaica, but toothless bowling and a very some strange declaration decisions have cost England dear.
With just a two match series, once again against the West Indies, to come in England before the Ashes start Strauss' men, are a long way from being a good test side. I'm expecting a heavy series defeat for England this summer and it will leave the selectors a real dilemma before the tour to South Africa next winter, the rebuilding has to begin. Flintoff, Collingwood, Shah, Harmison, Sidebottom, Bell and even Panesar will all come under the spotlight. Like the toiling in the Caribbean, it could be a long way back for England yet...
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