England survival cannot mask the need for improvements all round.

Before this Ashes series began there was a lot of talk, a lot of hype and a huge amount of expectation. On Sunday evening, we found out just why everyone was looking forward to it so much. Rarely does Test match cricket come down to its final hour, but when it does, just like at Edgbaston and Old Trafford in 2005, there is quite simply nothing to match it for sheer drama. Sunday was a test for the players, a test for the umpires, and a test for the supporters in the ground. Australia, by far the more accomplished team throughout, taking 19 wickets compared to England’s 7, came up just short thanks to the belligerence of Collingwood, Anderson and Panesar. The drama was simply epic, with every dot ball receiving an enormous cheer from the near capacity Cardiff crowd.


At lunch with England teetering at 94 for 5 there seemed to be absolutely no chance of survival. The top order had collapsed, given up, and whilst a little resistance from the tail was hoped for, the home side would surely be well beaten. But then, minute after minute, over after over, the close of play loomed nearer. First Broad, and then Swann, showed the top order how to hang around and take time out of a test match, before Monty and Jimmy came together to see England home. The unlikeliest of heroes with bat in hand. If the tension was unbearable, at home then heaven knows how it must have felt watching in the stadium, whether from stand or balcony. Strauss, Cook, Bopara and Pietersen looked on as the match was saved by tail-enders.


Kevin 'It's just the way I play, and I'm not going to change' Pietersen, in particular, needs to look long and hard at his performance and his attitude. I am sure KP would like to be considered one of the world's finest batsmen, if indeed he doesn't already believe this to be the case. However, to be the world's finest batsmen you need to be adaptable, you cannot play the same way in every situation. This is The Ashes, this is Australia. On the first day, given the nature of the pitch, England had the chance to rack up a massive total, to put the Aussies under pressure. Instead the entire top order got in and then got out, and while Pietersen is not the only culprit, his inability to accept fault sets a bad example to the rest of the team. Had Strauss and co put on the 700 runs that pitch deserved then the pressure on the Australians would have been huge and maybe it would have been them fighting to save the Test on Sunday evening. Kevin and the others should take a long hard look at the Australian innings to see how Test match innings are accumulated over time.


The batsmen are certainly not be alone in shouldering the blame for what was, even in the aftermath of Sunday's drama, still an abject all round performance by the English. Lacklustre fielding was at fault too, James Anderson in particular missing a run out opportunity on Saturday as he sulked back to his mark, good work from Cook wasted. More importantly the bowlers need to look at themselves, and ask why only seven wickets were taken in two full days in the field. Yes Australia batted supremely but their job was made easier for them, pressure was not applied for long periods, new batsmen allowed to get away to quick starts. Anderson and Broad have looked fine bowlers for England during Flintoff's recent absences, does having the big man back cause them to lose focus. Is the sense of responsibility reduced in the knowledge that Freddie is there to pick up the mantle, to dig his colleagues out of a hole.


Massive improvement is required when the teams step out on Thursday for the second Test so what changes, if any, will England make? The batsmen will all survive, for now, but changes to the bowling attack will be required if 20 wickets are to be taken. Graeme Swann had a terrible game with the ball in Cardiff, but as England's best spinner for 18 months; one bad game should not see him axed. With Swann taking the sole spinners role at Lord's, Panesar, the hero with the bat will make way for Graham Onions, or maybe Steven Harmison. Anderson and Broad also bowled well below par last week, but like Swann, they should not be cast out for one bad game. Broad, however, will certainly be the more vulnerable of the two if Strauss and Flower decide a double change is needed, to liven things up. Flintoff, untouchable with the ball, and once again looking dangerous with the bat, will have another big roll to play. The one word for England to remember come Thursday is patience, you cannot win the game with the bat in a session, and cannot take a wicket every ball. Show discipline and stomach for the long game and Strauss could still preside over a victorious summer of cricket.