A Worthless Win

England are finally off the mark this winter, but a manner of the victory makes this one of the least valuable victories in recent history. The muted nature of England's celebrations betrayed that, although relieved to finally be on the winning side, this was not the confidence boosting victory needed that I outlined earlier this week.
It is not the first time the Duckworth Lewis system has caused confusion (just ask Shaun Pollock) and although it is difficult to believe that this is the best way to resolve a shortened game, West Indies coach John Dyson must hold his hands up to a catastrophic error. Not only did it cost his side a chance at of victory, one wonders what harm such a basic oversight will have done to any chance he had of being offered the England coaching job. The Duckworth Lewis system can encourage this tactical decision making which benefits neither the game or the supporters, so some may argue that a twisted justice was done.
The England performance itself was patchy at best. Shah showed once more why, despite doubts over his credentials as a Test match no.3 why he is such a valuable ODI player and Broad and Anderson continued the partnership they built in the Test series whilst Dimi Mascarenhas bowled a wonderfully controlled spell despite failing with the bat.
The inclusion of Matt Prior makes his omission for the Twenty20 baffling, and sends a confused message to Worcestershire's Steve Davies who top scored as his replacement. Meanwhile, Steve Harmison's future as an international sportsman must once again be in doubt. The plaudits will rightly go to Shiv Chanderpaul for his wonderful clean hitting, but the lack of variation shown to try and counter this by the Durham paceman belied his experience and his dropped catch in the outfield seemed to be another indication of his lack of focus as much as anything. So many maintain that he has proven international pedigree, but one sunny day does not a summer make and too often have cloud darkened the skies of this undoubtedly talented individual and there was little in his body language that made you think he should be the spearhead of an England attack.
Andrew Strauss has four games to prove himself as a player in this form of the game, and thus unify the captaincy but England need performances as a team rather than as individuals in order to get the injection of confidence to put a spring in their step as they build towards the summer showpiece.