Apparently, we're in crisis - Inbox at Cricinfo

Of course, should a chap be so uncouth as to suggest, after coughing politely, that the real problem we have is that the vast majority of players in the English game aren't actually very good, he would be greeted with a stony silence. It would be the journalistic equivalent of telling a knock-knock joke at a funeral.

Another English trait is our habit of slandering, mocking and generally abusing our leaders, regardless of their merits. The mendacity or incompetence of anyone in power is a given; they represent inanimate effigies that we can safely lay into over our lattes and bacon sarnies. In itself this trait is harmless, the information age equivalent of the man employed to sit behind Caesar and remind him that he was mortal.

But we also have an unrealistically strong faith in the democratic system. Not happy about the state of English cricket? Don't worry, there's going to be an election. Get rid of tatty old Giles Clarke and get the new bloke in. Then things will be fine. Democracy of course, can be a blunt but powerful instrument, a savage hammer of justice falling heavily on the incumbent and tearing down the established structure.

Unfortunately, the hammer used in ECB elections is made of foam. The upcoming contest for the leadership of English cricket is about as significant as two ducks squabbling over a piece of bread. In the red corner is Giles Clarke, a successful businessman and passionate defender of county cricket. In the other red corner is Lord Marland, a passionate defender of county cricket and successful businessman. Which of them will prevail? A nation is on tenterhooks.

English cricket isn't in a crisis. It's in a coma. A one hundred and fifty year coma, to be precise; a deep and enduring state of unconsciousness in which we may occasionally bat an eyelid, but soon sink back into silent, uncomplaining numbness.

Our game is organised in a way that would warm the cockles of Al Capone's heart. Huge sums of money are extorted from a profitable national team in order to prop up a loss-making domestic game that no-one watches and which serves no discernable purpose. Meanwhile, members of the public who have the audacity to want to watch their national team must either pay £100 a time for the privilege of squeezing into poky little stadiums like Lord's or shell out £500 a year for a Sky subscription.

The eighteen first class counties run our game in a thoroughly English way, that is, ruthlessly, but out of sight, whilst being able to pretend that they have nothing to do with it. Think of the ECB as a large polished table, around which sit eighteen super villains, from Dr No to Darth Vader. From time to time they pick a new puppet to do their bidding. So who will it be this time? Clarke or Marland? Who cares.

I think the English are taking the results of their tour to India a little too seriously. The Indian team with the Sehwags and the Yuvrajs in that insanely good form would have beaten any team on home soil. An uncertain batting order and preference of 'bits and pieces' cricketers over specialists did no good to the English cause.

An unimpressive attempt by the ECB to ascertain its strength over a captain for speaking his mind. This is cricket,not soccer. Captains call the shots, coaches help when required.

We Indian fans know a thing or too about the management playing cards with team selections after a series loss. Englishmen, welcome to our world.

Mr. Hughes; 51 all out would seem to confirm your doubts about the England team; I had my doubts too, especially with Bell at 3, I mean for heaven's sakes don't you have anyone better over there? Andrew Strauss has an irritating habit of grinning, he did it in India and he did alright but he ain't grinning now, is he? Is Peter Moores still the coach? What is he the coach of, exactly? How to influence friends and win enemies?
From the ecstasy of KP and Flintoff being the two highest errr"players" in the IPL to the agony of 51 all out. Cricket is a great leveler, isn't it?
Hope to read more of your writing in the future.
Cheers.

Thanks all for the kind comments. Since you ask, Waterbuffalo, the cupboard is rather bare. It will be the turn of Mr Shah to enter the comfort zone next, but he's been hanging around so long, it feels like he's already played 50 Tests. After Shah, it is probably Key, who has been hanging around even longer. Sadly there is nothing fresh on the menu.

Apoorv, I agree with you about the Indian team, no-one else on the planet would have beaten them, but it was the manner of the defeat, rather than the defeat itself that was most discouraging.

And Mr November, you are very kind, but I suspect that would be most unlikely.