How good are England and have they improved as much as results would suggest? A 1-0 series victory over Zimbabwe, followed by a 3-1 victory over West Indies, their first against them in 31 years; impressive results indeed but do they imply a resurgence in English cricket?

Jamie Cox on playing too much cricket, Matthew Bulbeck, Peter Bowler, the importance of the current Durham match and making the championship the priority (16 Aug 2000)

As a cricket lover, my answer is I hope so because I believe the game needs a strong English team, just as it needs the West Indies to get their act together again. As a close observer, though, I still have just a few remaining doubts. These mainly centre around the quality of their summer's opposition and strengthened after my first hand look at the West Indies at Taunton two weeks ago. Granted, their two great fast bowlers did not play against Somerset but overall they played poorly on a flat wicket and certainly did not look like the great sides I so loved watching whilst growing up!

Credit where it's due though. England started the summer as firm favourites and have responded to this pressure very positively and aggressively. They also started the summer ranked near the bottom of the Test rankings, which created further unnecessary emotional baggage. The bowling attack is now world-class, particularly in English conditions, but lacks a consistent, wicket-taking spinner to be a regular threat on truer, less seam-friendly pitches. The batting has been inconsistent but, in a low scoring summer, they have had the necessary contributors in tough conditions to provide the difference between winning and losing. With the unfortunate exception of the skipper, who has had a wretched time of it, all of the batsmen have had moments of glory. I have been confused with the controversy surrounding Graeme Hick batting at number seven. I don't see how this affects team balance, England are just fortunate to have a wicket-keeper good enough to be batting at five rather than the keeper's traditional seven spot. Six batsmen, a wicket-keeper batsman and four bowlers (who can all bat also) - the perfect balance!

As a captain, albeit with fewer pressures and at a lower level, I have felt for Nasser Hussain this summer. Winning is everything when leading a side but when you are not contributing yourself it tends to feel a little hollow. You live and breathe every twist and turn in the match and do whatever you can to keep the momentum flowing in your direction. As captain, you have a job to unify the group and direct the playing strategy but first of all you have a duty as a senior player, whether it be to score runs or take wickets and catches. If this part of your game is not working then the world seems a little lonely. Nasser has continued to carry himself well in the public eye, however, and deserves commendation for keeping his side's winning focus throughout his own torment.

So congratulations on a good national summer should go to all of the English side but I am sure the focus is now switching to what are sure to be truer tests of their overall improvement - away series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and then the home Ashes series next summer. I really can not wait for that!

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Whilst playing in England I am often asked to compare the differences in the game here and in Australia and many are also interested to know why Australia are currently such a good side.

The reasons are many and varied and the quality of pitches, scheduling of matches, practice facilities (and time to use them), and the general running of the game are all commonly acknowledged. But I have been careful to try to not talk up one to the detriment of the others. I would, however, like to touch on another, which in my opinion is another simple yet very defining difference.

I have been disturbed to see the number of England players who bat in their England helmets whilst playing for their counties! What's the big deal many would say? Well … to many this may be nothing but to someone who has never been fortunate enough to experience the honour of wearing my country's badge, I see it as a blatant lack of respect for the county game, the counties and the players who are themselves fighting for the honour.

Australians have always had enormous pride in the baggy green cap and the coat-of-arms upon it. Steve Waugh, in particular, has fought a strong battle to have it recognised as one of the country's most prized possessions and it is without doubt a symbol of enormous national pride. Having grown up wanting to wear it, I have always taken enormous pride in the badge of my state and now county and have tried to instil similar ideals into those I have played with and now captained. When times are tough, pride and passion more than any other emotions will serve you best!

So guys why not dust off your county hard hats and make that distinction between the two forms of the game? Don't do it for me but for all of those who are trying to be like you - they don't need reminding of who you are and who you play for, you already have their respect as cricketers! Steve Waugh would not dream of wearing his Australian helmet playing for New South Wales (despite allowing for the fact that it is green and New South Wales are blue!) and I can assure you that Andrew Caddick and Marcus Trescothick will not be seen in Somerset colours with any white lions on their heads. Not for the next couple of years at least anyway!

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