The England captain, Andrew Strauss, must feel as though the Ashes were a long time away given England’s struggles since and they may just be getting worse.
In another bitter blow, England could be without Luke Wright for the fifth ODI, now inconsequential for either team given that Australia have won the one day series 4-0.
Strauss’ problems have been compounded with injuries and niggles, with James Anderson being rested and Joe Denly just coming back from a football injury.
Now Wright may be on the list of absentees as he suffered a toe crushing injury courtesy a bowling machine at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, central England. Requiring stitches, Wright’s availability now remains in serious doubt even as Ravi Bopara is fighting off accusations of selfishness by England cricketers which has led to their miserable downfall.
Strauss’ calls for centuries from England’s top order fell on deaf ears in the last do or die encounter. But he continues to resonate words of faith even as the England coach, Andy Flower called England’s performance in the one day series “rather ordinary”.
Strauss is trying to convince the team and the audience that a credible team can be made of the present squad even in the absence of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff and though it will require some patience, the England cricketers need to become more accountable, raise their hand and make it count.
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