Fletcher honeymoon over as England return to bad habits

Duncan Fletcher heads for the fourth Ashes Test knowing that his honeymoon as England's miracle-working coach is over at last.

After 18 months of non-stop success, England's traditional fault-lines have dramatically reappeared in three consecutive defeats against the world champions from Australia, securing them the series.

Nothing will worry Fletcher -- or depress England fans -- more than the batting line-up's rediscovered propensity to implode at the first suggestion of pressure.

England's recent progress, reflected in series wins at home against Zimbabwe (1-0) and West Indies (3-1) and away to Pakistan (1-0) and Sri Lanka (2-1), has been built on a dogged resilience right down the order.

Much of the credit for the transformation went to the taciturn, thorough Fletcher, whose influence saw the team move up from ninth in the world rankings to a lofty third.

"In past days if we'd have gone six or seven down we'd have been blown away," captain Nasser Hussain had said during the Sri Lankan tour. "But we have a good coach who makes sure we practise all forms of the game."

WAUGH TAKEN IN

Even Australian captain Steve Waugh was taken in.

"It's definitely a different England outfit to the one 12 months ago," he had said before the Ashes. "They seem to have a bit more steely resolve under pressure."

"They will be tough to beat," he had said. "I expect it will be an exciting Ashes series."

He could not have been more wrong.

England's startling return to their old ways began just before the series started, in the second Test against Pakistan.

England collapsed in both innings, from 146 for nought to 261 all out in the second, to lose the game and the chance of winning a fifth series in a row.

That pattern has continued against the Australians who have a bowling attack rated as the best in the world.

Only once has the England tail wagged against the Australians, when number 11 Andy Caddick improbably put on 103 with Alec Stewart. Even that show of defiance, however, came after the home side had lost their previous eight batsmen for 85.

England's total inability to occupy the crease has been such that their longest Ashes innings to date took up 66 overs, well short of lasting a full day.

But for the assistance of the inclement weather, England, while admittedly shorn of their first-choice number three, four and five batsmen for most of the series, would not have lasted more than three days in any of the opening Tests.

SOFT UNDERBELLY

The softness of the batting underbelly has been further emphasised by a string of impressive starts to the innings, courtesy of Michael Atherton, Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher.

In those last eight England innings, they have made 282 for two, 146 without loss, 106 for one, 99 for one, 75 for one, 146 for three, 117 for three and 115 for two. Yet they have only once managed to get past 300 during that run.

Number six Damien Martyn and number seven Adam Gilchrist have further made the point by shepherding Australia's tail to big contributions, the last five helping to add 240 at Edgbaston and 230 at Lord's.

If Fletcher, in tandem with Hussain, was seen as the key factor to the team's revival, then he will have to expect some of the criticism which is now heading England's way.

Ironically, he might please England fans by championing a more conservative batting approach, as used in their victories in the subcontinent at the turn of the year.

Mail Cricket Editor