England management, players and supporters alike have every right to feel aggrieved after the 10-wicket capitulation at the hands of Sri Lanka yesterday. However, it would be all too easy for the critics of English cricket to ignore the triumph of the past 6 months. Despite glimpses of brilliance (Strauss’ magnificent innings versus India, Trott’s runs and the brilliant turnaround against South Africa) how were England expected to succeed considering such a brutal winter schedule? Since departing England for Australia on the 28th of October, Andrew Strauss, Jonathon Trott, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (and a host of others had it not been for the inevitable spate of injuries) have only spent 4 days in their own beds in England.
The pre-tour training camp to rural Germany, coupled with the three first class fixtures played before the start of the Ashes series was seen as perfect preparation for the winter’s Test matches. However the impact of the gruelling itinerary of the Australian tour was clear to see through England’s latest World Cup failings. Injuries to Jimmy Anderson, Eoin Morgan (broken finger), Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring), Kevin Pietersen (hernia), Stuart Broad (Stomach), Tim Bresnan (calf) and Graeme Swann (back) throughout the winter hindered England’s progress through the World Cup.
In many ways, England have paid the price for their successful Australian tour. 8 first class matches in just over two months is enough to make any fast bowler cry. Coupled with the 2 twenty20 games, and 8 one-dayers, it is no surprise that so many of England’s squad has been hampered by injury. Did anyone really suspect that England could pull off the unthinkable and win their first world cup, especially considering it being hosted in the dreaded sub-continent? It is undeniable that there has been worse one-day outfits to leave the British Isles (1999 and 2007 spring to mind), however it was presumed, and ultimately proved, that the World Cup would be a step too far.
Before the usual barrage of critics and calls for change are voiced on the matter of English one-day cricket, (and without sounding like the ever optimist former England coach Peter Moores) there are many positives to take from the trip to the subcontinent. We reacted well with our necks on the line against the West Indies, we were one run away from a record defeat of favourites India, as well as a gritty backs-to-the-wall performance against South Africa. It is hard to ignore that we were a dropped Kevin O’Brien skier away from a convincing win against the Irish.
The tournament started without the best English one day batsman in the past 12 months Eoin Morgan, who was only called to action when replacing England’s only other potential match winning batsman Kevin Pietersen. In addition to this, star bowler Stuart Broad was removed from the squad just when he was needed most.
After the nature of yesterdays 10 wicket defeat, it would be all too easy to call for mass change. England (and Strauss in particular) struggled against the opening overs of spin against Dilshan, however I believe the combination of Strauss and Bell at the top of the order will ultimately, if persisted with, bear fruits. Since he regained the One Day captaincy and the opening role, Strauss has proved a consistent run scorer at the top of the order. In Ian Bell, England have a readymade One Day opener. An effortless, natural timer of the ball, Bell should now kick on and make the one-day centuries that have so far been lacking from his personal tally at the top of the order.
Another man seemed destined for criticism Jonathan Trott, in light of his innings yesterday. Had Trott accelerated early and lost his wicket, England could have been 30/3 or 90/4, leaving a vulnerable middle order exposed. Trott adapted, and played the situation well, like many other times during the World Cup. He gained criticism for the slow nature of his innings against Bangladesh (again when England were in trouble), however proved the clean striking nature of his stroke play in a quick fire 43 against the West Indies. Trott may appear bogged down at times against good spin, however sticks to the game plan that has seen him break many records in only his short England One-Day career so far. His game against spin is one that he will look to develop and improve upon in the near future, and who would bet against him doing so and improving even further. Trott will undoubtedly gain critics for his latest knock, but I shudder to think how England would have coped without every one of his top scoring 430 runs in this World Cup.
So I ask , I plea that critics refrain from lamenting England’s performance at this World Cup; I plea even further that Andrew Strauss and the England management do not act upon such criticism. A like their performances in the Twenty20 and Test arena, England’s One Day performances have improved in recent times. However this World Cup came at the wrong time for England. Such an excuse will not be valid in 4 years time, as scheduling changed mean that no Ashes series will be played before the next World Cup. If English cricket continues to make the significant improvement s seen over the past 2 years of Strauss and Flower’s leadership, I would not like to bet against England.
