There is a story told of an England coaching manual, passed down from generation to generation to whoever leads a team heralding from this tiny land. No matter how big your balls, or what shape they are (don't be rude, I simply meant Cricket, Rugby or Football) you have to follow the rules set out in the ancient book.
Well I have glimpsed sight of this book, and I know what is written within it's pages. Quite simply it says on page one - 'If you have put in a jolly good performance during a match and shown what you are capable of with the right attitude, do not under any circumstances do this again!' This is then followed by 20 pages of drawings about dogs.
I know South Africa have a good, strong batting line up, and I know that the pitch didn't offer too much, but why can't we show a bit of muscle and dig deep? I am still a little mystified by the inclusion of Darrren Pattinson, not because I don't think he isn't a good bowler, but because we have others who maybe should have been before him. How will Mr Tremlett feel? He loyally follows the team around, waiting for his chance, only to see it disappear in a cloud of 'Actually I'm a proud Aussie but will take this England cap' smoke. We're supposed to be encouraging our youngsters to want to play for England, this will not help.
Maybe we will turn it round in the next two tests, but if we are going to then we are going to have to start showing a bit of character, something lacking in English sport as a whole sometimes.
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