In many ways, Edgbaston encapsulated the benefits and flaws of this approach. On day 1, the likes of Trescothick, Flintoff and Pietersen absolutely savaged this Australian side in a manner not seen perhaps outside of the Caribbean and the sub-continent, but they also succumbed to a score of 400, a seemingly sub-par score on a good batting wicket. Had they not bowled as well as they had done on day 2 they very same aggression that won them the test could have cost them that match.

Flintoff and Pietersen, by nature live and die by the sword, England will always risk having the two of them playing together, but for the time being at least, the risks clearly outweigh the benefits. The decision, however, to play Collingwood appears ill-advised. Collingwood fits the bill of a great team man and utility player, which is why he is such an integral part of the one day set up, but judging by his performances at the Oval and in Multan, test cricket looks a step to far.

While we are on the topic of being out of one’s depth, the lack of success from either of England’s spin bowlers is a cause for concern. While the conditions were far from the raging turners some might have expected, there was still assistance there that neither Giles nor Udal were able to exploit.

Fortunately, England’s fast men were able to do continue from where they left of against Australia, and allay any fears that in these conditions they would be reduced to nothing more than a pop-gun attack. Flintoff, again phenomenal in taking 8 wickets, McGrath aside, I doubt if any bowler is bowling as well as he is at this moment. Harmison and Hoggard were able to work around Freddie, making key incisions throughout the match – rescuing England on Day 1 when Pakistan looked set to make a sizeable total, and then again on Day 4 after their batsman and Inzamam and the impressive Salman Butt threatened to take the game again away from them.

So with that, key contributions from Tres and Bell and the fact they were prepared to fight till the very end meant that England have plenty of positives to take from a rather disappointing loss. One hopes though that they will now show their opposition a greater deal of respect than they have done so far. Pakistan, by nature will be unpredictable, but Woolmer has instilled in them a sense of purpose, and a little more method – key ingredients to side already bursting with talents. It remains to be seen whether this is all merely façade that will quickly vanish when things begin to go wrong – there was at least some evidence of it all unravelling when England were able to apply pressure at various stages of the match – but the fact that they managed to win should at least earn the respect of their opposition. Interesting times ahead….

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