The Great Leap Backwards

A few months after an encouraging one-day series win in Sri Lanka and a mere few days after winning both their Twenty20 games against New Zealand with something to spare, England are 2-0 down in the 50 over series. What is more, they were dismantled so comprehensively in Hamilton that redemption currently seems about as far away as the ball which Jesse Ryder hit clean out of the ground this morning.

That's always the way with the England one-day operation: As soon as you think they've taken a few steps forwards, they immediately take a series of huge leaps backwards. Dopey running, fatuous and profligate short-pitched bowling, errant fielding; this 'performance' had it all.

Earlier this winter Paul Collingwood was starting to earn a few plaudits for his captaincy in the one-day arena. The next three games will be a really severe test of his, and his players' mettle.

Three wins? Well, you wouldn't bet on it.