There has not been that much in it til now but today has been a killer

I don't think batting wise they have any more talent than us but Smith is outperforming Root and Cook is on the way out and our lower middle order and tail (which in recent times has sometimes got us out of trouble) has struggled against their extra pace.

Moeen at his best is great but he's had a stinker of a series with bat and ball.

And for me the selectors have got the bowling attack options wrong. I know we are not blessed with lots of express pace options but I think Wood and Plunkett should have been in the squad for these conditions and we should have taken a spinner who actually turns the ball such as Rashid Leach. Anderson, Broad and Woakes are quality bowlers if there is any movement but take that away and they are just not the same threat.

There are some promising signs there for the future batting wise I think but priority for the next couple of years are replacements for Cook and Anderson and find another front line spinner.

Posted By: Jim, Dec 16, 09:13:15