CB Series Final 11th Feb 2007

The early games of CB series were uncomfortably one sided as England spluttered along like a 1980’s Skoda with grit in the carburetor. By contrast, the fuel injected team that spoiled Glen McGraths SCG leaving party were running on an altogether sweeter engine.

For England to have taken out the Tri Series finals with a 2-0 scoreline is a quite remarkable feat considering the depths to which their form had sunk. With the World Cup around the corner, their reversal of form and fortune is a timely one.

Whilst there will be many positives to come from lifting the trophy, there are signs that some of the England camp - in a somewhat understandable display of defensiveness - have been just a little too sprightly in having us all believe that the snapped axle of English cricket has been replaced with a rod of solid steel.

England need to be realistic in assessing their finals victories and acknowledge that three key people are responsible for their wins. Firstly, Michael Vaughan returned (albeit briefly) as captain and with him came a sense of positive order and patriarchal calm. He is an outstanding leader and whilst absent from the final victories, the influence that his return to the squad brings should never be underestimated. Secondly and most obviously, Paul Collingwood batted like Paul Collingwood can, and provided the essential middle order stability needed to post competitive totals. And thirdly Liam Plunkett found an abundance of pacey swing that always looked capable of getting good players out.

These are great signs for England but one feels they must be tempered with the realisation of how brittle a scaffold this victory sits atop. Vaughan’s legs, Plunkett’s control and Collingwood’s form, are all capable of blowing up at a moment’s notice and with them would go the hope of sustainable recovery.

For England to launch a successful world cup campaign then the thin ice supporting England’s return to form should still be biopsied and examined for the cause of their disastrous Test and early ODI form. Doing so will be hard in light of a positive end to the tour and the need for key management and playing personnel to convince themselves that all is now well.