The dramatic loss to Sri Lanka at Headingley means England have now gone winless for eight Test matches.
The last time this happened was between June 1996 and February 1997.
Under Michael Atherton’s captaincy the English drew twice with India, albeit in a 1-0 series victory; lost a three-match home series against Pakistan 2-0; drew a two-match away series against Zimbabwe 0-0; and drew the first Test in an away series against New Zealand.
By the time they won against New Zealand in Wellington, the English had fallen to eighth in the Wisden World Championship Table.
Derek Pringle, writing in The Independent on 11 March 1997, stated, “There appears to be no sense of adventure left in English cricket, either on or off the field.”
Matthew Engel, then editor of Wisden, eloquently likened their World Cup squad to a “bad-tempered grandmother attending a teenage rave”.
Only four players remained throughout this winless streak: the captain Michael Atherton, Alec Stewart, Graham Thorpe and, perhaps surprisingly, Adam Mullally.
Though many similarities undoubtedly exist between the current squad and that of the mid-90s – including uninventive cricket, out-of-form captains and a poor limited overs record – the current squad are far more talented and should not be struggling as much as they are.
The current team can lay claim to five players – Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson – who on their day would push selection for a World XI team, and a smattering of talented youngsters in Joe Root, Gary Ballance and Sam Robson.
With this in mind, what should England change for the Indian tour starting next month?
Broad, Anderson, Bell and Prior are automatic selections from the old guard. Both Broad and Anderson, with the exception of the second innings at Headingley, enjoyed a good series with the ball. Bell, though not at his best, still managed two fifties and remains England’s form batsman, while Prior scored a fluid 86 at Lord’s and showed improvement behind the stumps.
Root, though scoring a classy double century at Lord’s which ensures his position in the upcoming India series, still has question marks over his consistency. From the batting new guard, Robson, Ballance and Moeen Ali all scored centuries which should ensure their selection for the first Test in Nottingham.
This leaves three positions where changes could be made.
The first is the opening position filled by Alastair Cook, who on recent form both with the bat and as captain deserves to be dropped. Despite increasing calls for his head from both the English press and Australians hungry for another scalp from the recent Ashes campaign, this seems unlikely.
Firstly, there is no standout replacement captain in the squad. Secondly, and most importantly, no opening batsman in the county ranks deserves a place in the English team, with likely replacement, Nick Compton, failing to impress this season. Other options include Worcestershire opener Daryl Mitchell and Yorkshireman Adam Lyth – though both are unlikely.
The final pace bowling position will likely be filled by either Chris Jordan or Liam Plunkett, though Steven Finn must always be in consideration. Though Jordan bowled with great enthusiasm against Sri Lanka, he only claimed five wickets at over 50. Plunkett, by contrast, claimed eleven wickets at 30. Finn has claimed 32 county wickets at 28 for Middlesex this season.
Of these three, the likely starter is Plunkett. Jordan’s position should therefore be replaced by a full-time spinner. Ali, though capable, is nothing more than a part-time bowler. He bowled well in the Sri Lankan second innings at Headingley, despite little faith shown from Cook, but clearly doesn’t have the penetration to be an international spinner.
In lieu of a stand-out replacement, and considering the recent failings of Monty Panesar and Simon Kerrigan, I suggest a left-field selection in 22 year-old Kent off-spinner Adam Riley, who has claimed 40 wickets this season at 25, including three 5-wicket hauls.
The English team has endured a year which rivals the darkest times of the mid 1990s and early 2000s. However, this team has the talent to challenge India in July.
Wholesale, sweeping changes are not the solution. This team just needs to rediscover its self-believe.
Bakkies
Guest
Did you see Prior's dropped catch the other day? Caught it clean as a whistle than it fell out of his gloves. When that happens you know your time is up. England appear to be institutionalised. Flower came across as very regimented and even stated that playing for England comes above anything else including your family, etc. Lehmann has done the opposite, the players are also employees and any sensible boss while give his charge time off for family reasons. Than there is the 50 or so page diet.
calum
Guest
Regarding players getting a world XI; Prior, no way. He was great approx 2 years ago but since then hasn't looked like he knows which way to hold the bat and is keeping like a seal. The onlu reason he is been selected is because cook can't captain and they are trying to get as muc experience on board as possible. Anderson. Also way. He's good but clearly better in english conditions, but he now appears to be on average at least 5-10 kph down on speed, so he's another one that maybe you could argue 2 years ago, but hasn't looked threatening for 18 months. Cook; He is a truly terrible captain. Doesnt seem to have any feel for the game tactically and can't seem to run a happy ship - a bad combination. However, I really rate him as a bat. His average was just short of 50 not so long ago when he had an epic series in India, plus, there was that series where he scored a couple of runs in Australia. It just seems so obvious to me that he is ill suited to the captaincy and it is effecting his batting. The ECB have screwed it up by not doign a proper review of the ashes, and just making KP the scapegoat, but they should take the captaincy off him (no matter how great his family is) and get him back to batting. he could get back to being in contention for a world XI but not a the moment Bell and Broad- ive put them together becasue they are 2 players that 'on their day' could be in a world XI. IF I was an english fan I'd be pretty frustrated, because they look as good as anyone sometimes but it feels like it is too rare. Bell was the standout bat in the English ashes in 2013, but has done nothing subsequently. Broad had a lot of moments - but currenlty looks jaded and short of pace. They're definately good players though, and I'd stick with them. Overall, its the classic 'playing better in a good environment thing'. The oz cricket team and the wallabies have improved ot of sight by just having a settled team, and making a happy team environment. This isn't going to happen soon, but it is important to bear in mind when judging the players.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Who wudnt wanna be ellen?she gets to sleep with portia de rossi for gods sake
Charl
Guest
Well, they might win.......a high price to pay, I know, but still......No, no, we have to keep the dressing room happy.....
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
I think poms shud opt for slow wickets against India.they struggled against kiwis.they surprisingly do well in seaming conditions
Frankie Hughes
Guest
If it's hot and sunny India will spin the Poms out. Poms have no spinners and Ali is a clubbie at best.
Nudge
Guest
2-1 england. 3-1 if weather plays no part
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
My prediction:India will win 4-1!
JimmyB
Guest
If he is celebrating, which I doubt, then the decision to effectively sack him from England duty was the correct one.
Nudge
Guest
Great article too Matt. Cheers
Silver Sovereign
Guest
I bet KP would be celebrating at the moment!
Stan McCan
Guest
Surely you are happier when your country is winning
twodogs
Guest
Matt, your final paragraph states 'sweeping changes are not the solution'. I reckon it's the only solution. Cook must go. He is not a captains bootlace and hasn't provided the team with any foundation for some time now. The captain holds the cards. The KP sacking was the last straw for mine - Englands best player for the last 8 or so years being blamed for all and sundry. He was better than most- he knew it and they knew it. Robson seems to have made a great decision, he'd be waiting in the wings if he stayed with aus. but he's a walk up start over there. I'm sure though our bowlers may have a few treats saved uo for him.
Nudge
Guest
He bats ok but makes mat wade look like Ian Healy with the gloves
Lachlan Doyle
Roar Pro
He would, but at what cost? An unhappy dressing room? There are eleven players in the team and in order to win, they must all be happy. Cricket's a team game and if one player doesn't like what's happening then he needs to go.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
KP would help :)
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Hopefully another defeat at the hands of an inexperienced Indian side in their own backyard! Then Warnies blow torch will be well and truly in overdrive and Captain Sook will be out on his ear!
AR
Guest
It really is quite extraordinary - Joe Root looks *exactly* like Ellen Degeneres in that photo above. He really does!
Ed Lamb
Guest
I think the only change they'll make is Stokes for Jordan. Prior will be given more time but Foster is waiting in the wings as a truly safe pair of hands if Prior's keeping doesn't improve. With Stokes playing the keeper need only bat at 8 rather than 7, not that Foster's batting is in any way weak.
Matthew Hughes
Roar Rookie
Buttler is another option but I can't see them selecting him yet, especially given his average county record.