Team needs time to become ruthless

Despite wrapping up a six-wicket victory at Edgbaston, England are still being criticised for not having a 'killer instinct' and finishing Sri Lanka quicker. But this is a very young England side - only Marcus Trescothick is over 30 - and a number of players are finding their way in Test cricket. Simon Hughes says they must be given time to develop and that should continue at Trent Bridge.

It is worth remembering, though, that four of the team have only played 16 Tests between them. Of those four, Liam Plunkett distinguished himself.

Richard Hobson in The Times, meanwhile, argues that even last summer when they beat Australia England didn't have a ruthless streak.

England have not gone soft. They are as ruthless now as they were last summer. That is, not very ruthless at all. They allowed Australia to bat all through the final day (and what a long day it was) at Old Trafford, lost seven wickets chasing a small target at Trent Bridge and came within three runs of defeat at Edgbaston.

One player who was certainly at his ruthless best was Kevin Pietersen with his amazing 142. Everyone will remember the reverse-hit sweep for six off Muralitharan, but Steve James says it could have proved one flamboyant shot too many.

What he forgot was that it was his responsibility to ensure England led by enough not to need to bat again. He forgot that his mastery of Muralitharan could not be replicated, probably not by anyone in world cricket at present, but certainly not by England's late order, lacking in time at the crease