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2 - 0. Oh dear.
Apart from the general calamity of the thing, two of our top order bastmen were run out and at one managed to get out playing to a ball that pitched outside the leg stump. That wouldn't matter so much of we were pressing for a win, but all we had to do was not lose nine wickets in the space of four or five hours. For a decent test side, that shouldn't be too much to ask, and we are a decent test side. Flintoff's stance that things are looking up, because we've improved since the Gabba, will not wash. Not at all.
Our injured players are a factor, but so is our selection from what we've got. Duncan Fletcher has spent too much time worrying about the number eight batsman getting a few extra runs, which is why the out of form Giles has been picked ahead of the potential match-winner Panesar. We are too quick to make the most of things; the fact that we declared our first innings on 551/6 is irrelevant; the fact that we then proceeded to let the opposition win is the relevant thing. We also didn't play nearly enough warm up matches before the series started.
There is an eight day gap before the third test begins. The first two matches of this Ashes series will be remembered for England's poor preparation, poor selection and poor application. The next three, and the rubber as a whole, can still be remembered differently, but only if Duncan FLetcher, the ECB and the team wake up to the reality now and act immediately and decisively.
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