England fluff their lines
Unsurprisingly following the anti-climactic performance in the field from England the newspapers’ theories as to where it all went wrong are gradually rolling in...
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
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Richard Williams kicks off the debate in The Guardian with his piece on Steve Harmison. Harmison’s limp performance was embryonic of the whole day for England, and Williams points out that if they go on to lose the Ashes, then Harmison’s disastrous first ball will be seen to have set the tone. He believes that at 28 Harmison is now too old to acquire the mental toughness that brings consistency of performance, and concludes that the best England can now hope from their principle weapon is that he has more good days than bad.
Steve Harmison's opening delivery, the first of an over that brought Australia nine runs, exposed England's insecurities. At these moments it would take some kind of encephalogram to expose the thoughts that pass through the Durham bowler's mind in his delivery stride. What image does he see?
Also in the Guardian, Lawrence Booth compares the opening day of the current series unfavourably with that of 2005, while David Hopps talks us through his underwhelming Ashes all-nighter.
In the Independent Angus Fraser shares his experiences of touring Australia and speculates as to what Andrew Flintoff and company can expect in coming weeks.