Will It All End In English Tears?









Flintoff named as England's Ashes captain










There's a horrible parallel between England's cricket and football teams putting so much reliance on their injured talisman. This summer's cricket has been seen in many quarters as an irritant, a contractual obligation that has got in the way of preparation for the Ashes series that starts in two months time. It was the same with England after Japan 2002, forget Euro 2004 we want the World Cup - as we know 2006 went the same way as 2004.

Every cricket report from the winter tour of India to the series against Pakistan via the Sri Lankan visit has been punctuated by references to the Winter Ashes Tour. This is what happens in a country where you taste success once in a generation (given that a generation is measured at 25 years it not inappropriate) and suddenly believe you can turn on the winning habit at will.

Having watched cricket throughout the winter and summer there does appear to be a feeling that we can win it, not we will win it but the typically reserved British 'we can.' In this context though I think can is being realistic not optimistic, I've seen nothing since last years Ashes that makes me think we will win - six or seven of the Ashes winning side have either not played much if any cricket since and those that have played have hardly covered themselves with glory.

The Football team learned the hard way, let's hope the cricket team don't have a similar experience.