England opt for subdued celebrations

After their Ashes victory in 2005, England celebrated in style with open-top bus parades, only to be soundly beaten by the Australians in the 2007 Ashes. This time, there are no wild parties or parades, as England focus purely on the cricket which lies ahead. Gideon Haigh writes on this refreshing change of attitude in the Wisden Cricketer.

At the time, it soon became clear that England had geared themselves to beating Australia and…errrr….that’s it. After going on their bus-riding bender, they learned there was a little more to cricket than a single series, and looked as confused as Kevin Pietersen on meeting Cherie Blair.

Gideon Haigh, once again in the Wisden Cricketer, writes on the Australian team, and the issue of Ricky Ponting's captaincy.