England scores 16th lowest total in test match history

England scored 16th lowest total in test match history yesterday to loose the first of four test matches, by an innings and 23 runs.

England batted first and posted a respectable 318 all out, with Pietersen top scoring with 97, he received some support from Prior who managed to get 64 runs. Then the West Indies put in 392 in their first innings, with both Gayle and Sarwan scoring centuries. The West Indies had fought for a first innings lead of 74.

The collapse started immediately, the top five batsmen from England couldn’t get into double figures, in fact only Andrew Flintoff managed double figures with a top score of 24. An absolute shocking batting performance which included four ducks, the worst possible start for the new captain Strauss.

A performance like this from an English team is a sign that there is something seriously troubling them off the field. Kevin Pietersen resigning as captain, then new appointment of Strauss and the maybe the $1.5 Million that Pietersen and Flintoff are set to earn in the IPL are all contributing factors. Not to mention a new stand in coach.

They are going to have a long long tour in the West Indies if they don’t sort themselves out quickly.