No limits for beaten England

Alastair Cook impressed in his first two ODIs © Getty Images

Coach Duncan Fletcher put a positive spin on the NatWest Series disappointment by claiming it was hard to put a limit on England’s ability.

Despite the 5-0 whitewash to Sri Lanka and some below-par individual performances throughout the one-day campaign, Fletcher suggested the young players blooded this past fortnight will bounce back.

Given their head due to an injury epidemic - which has accounted for half-a-dozen of England’s strongest XI - the shadow side struggled when the Sri Lankans cranked up the pressure.

And with the World Cup getting under way in March 2007, there is still uncertainty surrounding the long-term injury victims’ availability.

But Fletcher said: “It is difficult to put a limit on this side - you have got to look at the positive as well.

“What is the limit? There is talent around and what if these players get their games together and learn pretty quickly?

“It is difficult to say how far we can get in nine months’ time.

“From our point of view, it is all about character and if they have got some character they will look at themselves and say ‘I have got the ability but did I really think it out properly?’”

England’s wayward bowling was costly throughout, with 79 wides across the five defeats in addition to 22 no-balls.

Fletcher put that ratio down to inexperience, however, rather than a lack of ability.
“Sometimes people can point out it is a technical problem but is it a mental problem and the pressure which is creating the technical fault?” Fletcher queried.

“For example, you can have an individual get on a pitch which is really quick and he thinks he can get a bit out of it and tries to bowl too fast. He falls away and sprays it around.

Andrew Strauss and Steve Harmison couldn't find form for England © Getty Images

“People might say it is a technical problem but was it? Was it not a mental problem that he got a little bit excited? More often than not, it is a mental game at this level.”

Even senior members of the side were affected, with Steve Harmison acquiring the unwanted record of England’s most expensive ever one-day figures with his 10-0-97-0 during the Leeds finale.

Captain Andrew Strauss, meanwhile, failed to hit a half-century in the campaign.

“Any senior player playing in a side of a lot of youngsters is going to struggle because there is a lot of extra responsibility and pressure put on you,” Fletcher said. “Whether you are a bowler or a batter.

“There were no partnerships put on up front and was that because they knew they had to do it? It adds pressure if you have to change the way you bat.

“Playing in the same squad over time, as we have in the Test matches, leaves you confident in your role because you know you can carry out yours and the other 10 can carry out theirs.”