Going back to basics

Catches win matches: Mark Waugh sets a new record

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew reviews England's defeat in the second Test at Lord's.

It is reassuring to hear David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, rule out wholesale changes to England's beleaguered team.

As Graveney recognises, such a move would reverse much of the good work that has been done over the past year.

However, this does not alter the fact that England are in a real mess.

It is true, at this level of sport, that you are only able to play at the level your opponent allows.

At the moment, England are being thoroughly stifled by Australia in every department of the game.

Owais Shah: Ready for Test cricket?

The players are clearly intimidated by the Aussies and it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how on earth England can possibly beat them, even if the Aussies have a bad day, or even two.

The truth is that Australia need only to play at 80 per cent capacity in order to maintain their supremacy and that is why the idea of throwing a load of new, young and inexperienced players at them is ridiculous.

Besides, several reserves are playing already, covering for injuries.

What must frustrate Graveney and Duncan Fletcher most of all is that England are ignoring the very basics that brought them their deserved success over Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the winter.

Bad tactics

The catching has been diabolical in both tests to date.

You simply cannot give someone who averages 40 a life because he is likely, therefore, to go on and score 80. It is simple logic.

To bowl so deliberately and disastrously short at Lord's defied comprehension.

The pitch had uneven bounce throughout - and movement off the seam - so it beggared belief that England's attack should abandon every principle and engage in some sort of bouncer war. It really was dreadful.

There will be changes, though.

Bicknell: Performing consistently well for Surrey

Ian Ward's place will certainly come under review. While anyone can get out first ball, his technique has been found wanting.

He may retain his spot in the absence of the luckless Thorpe, but I would start pushing for Owais Shah, who looked very composed in the NatWest Series, to make the final step to Test cricket.

There are real problems in the bowling attack. Dominic Cork is only half the bowler he was only last year and will not get Test players out at the moment.

He is not swinging the ball, he has lost pace and is also proving too costly.

It might be that Martin Bicknell makes a long awaited comeback or, if the selectors are bold - bearing in mind the next Test is on a likely featherbed at Trent Bridge - they could go for Alex Tudor who is in form at present.

Matthew Hoggard is another who will be hoping to impress if he plays for Yorkshire in the C & G quarter final on Wednesday.

Other than that, there are few options for England to consider at present.

All they can do is work harder than they ever have before at getting the basics right or, frankly, it really does not matter who they choose.