Thank God for Test cricket. The World Cup served to do nothing but completely disenfranchise me from the game and I’m glad I won’t have to see another one for 4 years.

The first Test between England and the Windies at Lords is an odd affair. What the hell has happened to English bowlers. With the obvious exception of Monty, who picks wickets up as much with his unbridled enthusiasm as his talent, the English attack looks alarmingly ineffective bloody awful.

There is one day to go in the first test, and ten wickets needed! Who is the go-to-guy? Who does Strauss throw the ball to and say - ‘Get me a wicket fella’. Or who does he go to when the runs are flowing to stem the tide. ‘Okay Harmy, steady the ship’, ‘Liam, 5 overs of line and length please’. Not on your nelly.

There is no balance or potency on display in this attack and it makes for ugly watching. Unless Harmison finds some outstandingly good sleep tonight and wakes up with a new wrist (there’s a bad taste joke in there somewhere) this match is a heading for a draw.

Remember Adelaide?

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