It would be no surprise if Phil Neale, the Warwickshire coach, were to be reinstated as the England A coach in Emburey's place when the personnel for the second team's tour of Australia from October to December are agreed in the next few days.

John Barclay, the former Sussex captain, who was administrative manager of England's tour of South Africa and for the World Cup last winter, will be in overall charge again this time, with Wayne Morton continuing as physiotherapist.

It is a good team. These are men who are comfortable with one another, which is fundamental to the chances of a successful tour and a contented set of players. Lloyd did not select his assistant, whose main responsibility will obviously be the bowlers, without some consultation, but it is evident that this is the man he wanted. Emburey was, in fact, contacted by the TCCB as a possible candidate for the premier role at the same time as Lloyd earlier this year but said he felt he needed to gain experience first as Northamptonshire's player-coach.

Seeing England struggling at Headingley yesterday Emburey will undoubtedly have concluded that he was wise to bide his time. We must hope that he and Lloyd will be able to improve the fortunes of a team which all too often looks second best, whatever the opposition, and they have two tours against relatively modest opposition during which to try to fashion a side capable of holding their own against Australia next year.