CRICKET in England in 1998. Rain lashing down through the night and, despite brave morning sunshine and a small band of optimistic spectators, the field is boggy. No play before lunch, or tea, in Taunton anyhow.

A group of Zimbabwean schoolboys watch forlornly and drift across to the market. They have been here a week and hardly bowled a ball. Somerset players have been back two months and have hardly scored a run. Nottinghamshire players walk through the streets, waiting with unspent energy.

Elsewhere, an ageing professional tells a youngster with five second XI wickets that he is not being paid enough. A 13-year-old returns from Lilleshall bewildered because he has been told to change his action. University cricket is still called first class. One county set up their board and name nine men, none with serious cricketing experience. Leagues in Lancashire prove obstinate once again. With friends like these, English cricket has little need of enemies. Bad weather and foolishness are a powerful combination.

English youngsters win a ``World'' Cup only to lose their way in the ensuing ``Test'' series. England have many gifted teenagers but they are not maturing. Perhaps hope can be found in the emerging pace men, James Kirtley and Jamie Hewitt, and Yorkshire's Paul Hutchison.

England may not realise how low their standing has fallen - even allowing for the defeat by West Indies. Last month, observers chose their top 25 Test and top 25 one-day cricketers and no Englishmen was included; only Alec Stewart was mentioned. Most of England's best players were raised in India, Africa or West Indies - maybe Lord's should try harder to garner talent in the inner city areas, a source of strength in football and athletics.

It was time for Mike Atherton to go because he has been unable to lift those around him. The captaincy wore him down. Arguably, he fought the wrong battles, became distracted by newspaper critics. Much the same could be said about Mohammed Azharuddin in his first stint as Indian captain. Azharuddin has returned a stronger man. He also found some decent bowlers. The captain needs sound administration, supportive senior players and a lively attack or else he is cast adrift.

Now England must appoint a new captain and renew their sense of purpose. In making their choice, England's selectors will surely take both forms of the game into account. That so many changes were made between the teams in the Caribbean says something about the players and something about the desperation of the selectors. Generally speaking, great players can adapt to games of any length.

Some improvements can be detected. Until the MacLaurin Report, English cricket did not exist as an entity, merely as a list of unconnected and mutually scornful parts. Some good men are appearing, among the younger fraternity at Lord's and an academy may be set up.

But a lot still needs to be done. English cricket has become a competition rather than a craft. Coaches concentrate on improving their players' ability to finish off 40-over matches. Our thinking needs to improve so that our cricket becomes more aggressive and our skills much higher.

English cricket needs to regain the respect of the world and itself. It needs to work hard and with humility and to realise that others have moved ahead.