November 12 Tuesday 2002
No respite for England cricketers from domestic press

LONDON: Monday is Remembrance Day for those who gave their lives for King and Country in war and the English cricket team who lost the first Ashes test by 384 runs appeared to have been consigned to the same status judging by the English press reaction. 

'No guts, no discipline, no sense, no chance,' was the 'understated' headline in the Independent, whose correspondent Angus Fraser was no stranger to Ashes humiliations when he played for England during the 1990's.

"It started in disbelief, ended in a shambles, and there was not a great deal in between to suggest this Ashes campaign will be any different from the last - a comprehensive series win for Australia," Fraser wrote.

"What made this loss harder to take though is that we were promised by captain Nasser Hussain a different side to the one that has had its backside kicked by the Aussies for the past 13 years.

"However, the new strong, vibrant England failed to turn up. "What we witnessed was a team who buckled under pressure, a team who lacked discipline with the ball in hand and a team who could bat for only 28.2 overs when they attempted to save the game.

"It was another match where England showed that when they are good they are competitive, but when they are bad they are bloody awful. "There is nothing in between." 

Fraser does praise Hussain for owning up to his error in putting Australia into bat and a similar theme was taken up by the 'Sun' despite labelling Hussain's decision as 'his biggest cock-up'. 

"Nasser Hussain's acknowledgement of his Gabba gaffe was refreshing, because most sportsmen hate admitting to errors. "So what about the people responsible for the failed selection gambles? "Graham Thorpe was in the original squad but pulled out. "Darren Gough confirmed what seemed obvious all along - he was not fit to tour. 

"Who is to blame? "Chairman of selectors David Graveney for their selection? Coach Duncan Fletcher for not monitoring their progress? The ECB medical staff? "The silence so far is deafening." 

The Daily Mail opined that England cricket fans with tickets for the Christmas test might as well change their dates. 

"You cannot move Christmas but the thousands of supporters heading out for the festive holidays may need to revise their travel plans if they want to see Ashes cricket that is still 'live'." 

The Daily Telegraph's Mark Nicholas called England's second innings a 'farce' but also concentrated on the strengths of the Australians. "Any weakness, however small, is exposed relentlessly and dealt with ruthlessly," wrote the former Hampshire county captain. "Also there is an indomitable spirit exemplified by Jason Gillespie whose calf-muscle 
injury prevented him from bowling on Friday evening but who, after a painkilling injection, came out of the traps like thoroughbred on Saturday."