The Summer Starts Here

As the majority of England enjoys temperatures that have outstripped Greece this week, it is easy to forget that the side in the West Indies are still technically on a winter tour. However, be under no illusion, for England to have any success in the summer improvements need to happen, starting on Friday. In fact, if we are honest it needs to have happened earlier.
There are few major sporting occasions where a team can pull an extended period of results out of nowhere. Be under no illusions, England's performance in the last Rugby World Cup is an exception and not a rule and if any further proof is required then look at the recent history of the Ashes. Australia were the form side (indeed the best side) in world cricket for a decade and a half, and took that confidence and success into retaining the Ashes. In 2005, England had an extended run in of success, including confident performances overseas in the preceding winter, but two years later, after what can best be described as a mixed build up they were resoundingly beaten by a resurgent Australia.
As a result, you would have to think that even if England manage to beat the West Indies on home soil in the run up to the Ashes (which at the moment is by no means guaranteed) it may be too little too late. That series should be used for perfecting the lineup and the performances, not for building a team from scratch. England need to use these next five ODI's to take whatever momentum they can into the summer.
Without wishing to make excuses for the players, England's off the pitch activity has been far more news worthy than their performances ever since they briefly returned from the tour of India following the Mumbai bombings. Captain and coach have since departed and the tour of the West Indies became an increasingly drab affair as the pitches were rightly criticised.
Ironically, it is those same pitches that could prove the saviour of this tour, both for the supporters in the Caribbean and, should they come out victorious for England. They should provide the sort of high scoring and exciting games that, if won flood the victors with immeasurable confidence. Admittedly, this will never replace a Test series victory but it is all England have at the moment and they have to take it with both hands. If they don't, it will be another huge blow in their attempts to regain the precious urn, months before the series begins in earnest.