Leaders and clear focus needed
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Unless England’s cricketers find a way to muffle Yuvraj Singh, they could be heading for a one-day whitewash in India.
Yuvraj, a tall left-hander, has twice given the bowlers a fearful battering. England are 2-0 down after two of the seven games and the series threatens to become an ordeal.
One-day county cricket was introduced in England as a way of boosting finances. The same motive spawned Twenty20.
The pioneers have been overtaken, stuck in their ways as other teams motor past them, finding more ways to step on the gas. So six-an-over becomes almost the norm and it is easy to wilt when challenged to score around 300 in 50 overs.
It does not help when England have to patch together a fifth bowler from part-timers. Graham Swann is with them and surely the spinner should be playing.
The Indian spinners put an effective brake on England in Indore and Yuvraj followed his 118 with four for 28. Picking a man of the match was hardly a test of judgement.
England continue to rely on some who have already been found wanting and another cloud hovers over the cricket.
The England and Wales Cricket Board are in negotiation with their equivalents about the Indian Premier League and the English version due to start in 2010.
That is where the money is and English players are after a slice. They cannot be blamed for that but are open to criticism if the uncertainty affects the job in hand.
Clear leadership is needed in the game.
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