4th Test - Review

It pains me greatly to write a review of England's performance because it was so very poor. However, for the sake of the future some words must be written.

Andrew Strauss: Despite the fact that this guy is one of the class acts of the England top order, he has failed to shine. I do like his batting style; he plays well off both the front and back foot and deals with pressure well. Of the top order he tried the hardest but as Nasser Hussain has said elsewhere, he still lacked that 'over my dead body' spirit. 6/10

Alistar Cook: He really hasn't got enough runs on the board for my liking but I hope the selectors perservere with him. There is a calmness to him that makes him right for an opener. Only long term experience will help him with his shot selection, which alot of the time is very good. He occasionally looks undecisive against straight balls and needs to get forward. Technically correct but just needs to build his confidence with a few big innings. 6/10

Ian Bell: The pressure of being an Aussie target is getting to this guy. I'm still a little torn about him at 3. I'd like to see KP at 3 because he likes the ball coming onto the bat. For Bell the LBW issue is big. No real solution apart from getting further forward and making sure that the bat is in front of the pad. Not enough runs. 5/10

Paul Collingwood: Not a true No 4. Would be a much bigger assest down the order at 6. Always seems to get a start but doesn't always build on it. Needs to settle quickly. I'd love to see him play a 'chanceless' innings rather than getting away with it by the skin of his teeth. 4/10

Kevin Pietersen: I've seen a side of this guy which suggests that he is not as much as a team player as he claims. He constantly nicks a run off the first ball of an over and often leaves a tail ender at tha danger end. He is reported to prefer the number 5 slot but I'm sure he should bat at 3. 5/10

Andrew Flintoff: Before this series I backed this man as captain but he isn't a captain. He is a tailsman. Originally in the side as a batter who could bowl and the selectors should remember that. 5/10

Chris Read: The better option behind the stumps for sure. Ans his 2nd innings with the bat was well played whilst those around him crumbled. 7/10

Saj Mahmood: The most natural fast bowler we have and he is very underused. Experience will help him. His slower ball is well disguised and a great asset. 7/10

Steve Harmison: Looking better. Needs to gain confidence. Needs to watch the footage of the times when he has been at his best. 6/10

Monty Panesar: Surely this man will be on top of the world one day soon. He is determined and attacking. He does need to develop a more mixed bag of balls. One that goes straight on would be great. 6/10

Matthew Hoggard: I've been disapointed with a few of his spells but on the whole he is another Caddick or Fraser stock bowler. We need guys like this. 5/10

Sydney Line-up:

1. Strauss
2. Cook
3. KP
4. Bell
5. Flintoff
6. Collingwood
7. Read
8. Mahmood
9. Harmison
10. Monty
11. Hoggard