Flower can set England straight

The message is clear and very much of the man. He is not one of those guys who leaves room for misunderstanding. In Africa we have something we call "a mother's look", which I guess is a variation on the English phrase "if looks could kill". A couple of times when I played under Andy's captaincy I got that look. There was no misunderstanding. No need for a word, no need for further explanation: I knew what I'd done and what he meant. There would be no repetition. And that's what England can expect. I doubt that there will be much room for politicking or undue diplomacy in Andy's world – after all he did not shirk from going head-to-head with a president when he had something to say – and I understand that it is the straight talking that has impressed already.

England last won the opening Test against Bangladesh in 2005, which hardly counts. But they had also done it in the three series preceding that and had not actually lost the opening game since 2002 (Australia, naturally). The rot for the present run set in against Australia in 2005 when they were hammered by Australia at Lord's. Of course, they came back from that to regain the Ashes but the start of the series has been a picture of woe since then. That applies as much to the ones that got away as much as the one they were never in.

It might have something to do with being a Newcastle United supporter but there is some anger and emotion inside Graham Onions that, if properly controlled, could lend an edge to his bowling against the West Indies at Lord's this week.