It's easy not to read too much into England's narrowly fought two-run win over Ireland, with only four players from the victorious Oval test taking part, but it's symptomatic of the team's ongoing struggle to make their mark in the fledgling format.
Test hero Trott and the disposed Bopara both scored ducks and if debutant Denly hadn't hung around 111 balls for his 67, there could have been red faces all round. Perhaps most worryingly, they only hit three sixes all innings.England's Twenty20 challenge, much like in the Test arena, is to establish an effective middle order, finding players who won't just crack 20 or 30 but a quickfire 50 and push totals towards the region of 250 plus.
They face a bruised Australia on Sunday which is probably the last team they need on current form.
I'm still not convinced Collingwood, who's under scrutiny to keep his Test place, is the best player to take the team forward. He may be a great fielder, adept at working the field with the bat and handy bowler but you feel England needs a more fearless figurehead to compete successfully.
Friday, August 28, 2009
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