2 more possible reasons for Eng's loss in the 1st test

The Indian Premier League continues to be blamed for England’s cricketing slump with ex-captain Nasser Hussain saying that “IPL issues” have prevented Andrew Strauss’s men from playing as a “happy bunch.”

“They have not been a happy bunch — there have been issues about the IPL,” Hussain was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

England went down by an innings and 23 runs against West Indies in the first Test in Jamaica, being bowled out for an embarrassing 51 runs in its second innings.

The defeat came a day after star batsman Kevin Pietersen and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff became the world’s richest cricketers attracting record-breaking bids of $1.55 million each in the IPL players’ auction.

Hussain said apart from the IPL, Pietersen’s equation with a few teammates after being asked to step down as England captain, due to his public spat with sacked coach Peter Moores, is also a cause of concern.

“I’ve felt since I arrived there are still issues between Pietersen and certain people, both in and out of the side,” he said.

“It seems this England side have to be kicked before they can show what they can do,” he added.

Reflecting on the humiliating loss, another former captain Ian Botham said England’s cricketers have not bettered their skills as much as other international players have and the team relies too heavily on Pietersen’s form.

Why didn't Ponting think of this?

Australia has a long way to go in the digging-deep-for-excuses department before we catch England.

"Why didn't Ponting think of this?"


because we didnt lose to the Windies

There were a few comments passed about Roy's auction price vs Punters auction price at the time

"Why didn't Ponting think of this?"

Probably because he is incapable of thinking?

"because we didnt lose to the Windies"

We lost at home to the Jaapies, which is almost as bad...

OP Tipping wrote:"because we didnt lose to the Windies"

We lost at home to the Jaapies, which is almost as bad...

too late for IPL excuses then

some people in the Wozzie media are blaming the wozzies mediocre season on the Champions League fiasco ...despite the fact we've had a string of mediocre seasons

wozzie media in failing to recognise mediocrity of WA cricket shocker....north aside there ain't much to write home about

I guess if we beat the Saffers over there it might be because Duminy has gone for close to one mil. There must be some jealous teammates.

There will probably be dissension in the Vic. ranks due to Shipperd's recruiting activities.

It's quite simple.

Banindia

Red wrote:I guess if we beat the Saffers over there it might be because Duminy has gone for close to one mil. There must be some jealous teammates.

There will probably be dissension in the Vic. ranks due to Shipperd's recruiting activities.

We can only hope on both counts, Red.