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Hussein rebuilt England's spirit 

Twenty years ago, and not for the first time, the surgeons cast a sad eye over English cricket and pronounced that it had breathed its last. Before long the undertaker was called in and the body carted off to the graveyard reserved for those blessed with resources but wanting the enterprise needed to survive in a changing world.

Of course it had happened before. More than a century ago a group of disgruntled women- an arrangement that has long made men quake in their boots - burnt bails (it was a bit early for bras) and placed them in an urn whereupon they put an advertisement in the newspaper saying that English cricket was as extinct as Mr Cleese's parrot. Ever since, cricket;'s oldest rivals have been contesting that selfsame urn, whose contents remain as secret as the  Cricket Boardaccounts

In truth the ladies were premature because English cricket remained competitive until the 1970's when the West Indians, Indians and Pakistanis began to flex their muscles. Of course the Australians continued to cut, hook, curse and bounce in their inimitable way. After that England enjoyed fleeting glimpses of success , most of them due to inspired performances by a few individuals. An impression. was created that the 1980's was a golden age but the results against everyone except a distracted Australia indicate that it was an illusion. The rot had already set in.

Confirmation of decay came with rebel tours organised by senior players. England had not been able to find a captain capable of uniting the side since the retirement of Mike Brearley or a man able to inspire loyalty since the death of Ken Barrington. County cricket fell into disrepair, with captains employing cynical tactics and high wages paid to mediocrities. Despite repeated maulings in Ashes series, English cricket went from bad to worse. The Age of the Stewarts was particularly calamitous, with father failing as coach and son playing in more losing sides than anyone in the history of the game.

England's weaknesses were obvious. The system stank and no great players had emerged for a decade. After years of embarrasment the English finally began to change their ways. Ignoring the old guard, the Board introduced central contracts and opened an academy. Counties were split into two divisions and club cricket was strengthened so that every part of the game was connected and productive. Universities had become a drag so a few strongholds were selected and gifted boys with something upstairs were sent to them. Foreign coaches with tougher attitudes were consulted and sometimes employed.

In short a belated attempt was made to improve the culture of the game across the country. It was not a miracle cure, nor was it meant to be. Indeed it was slow work requiring patience. But it has paid dividends .Credit for England's recent improvements must be given to these responsible for challenging tradition and  implementing changes that helped to revive the ailing body.

Yet it is never just about structure. Teams cannot succeed without strong leaders and penetrating bowlers. Nasser Hussain inherited a losing team and set out to make it harder to beat, precisely the task Allan Border set himself when he found himself appointed captain of a struggling outfit.. By and large the Chennai born batsman succeeded in his aims. Assisted by a coach with firm principles instilled at an outstanding school in Harare, Hussain rebuilt the spirit and rigour of his team.

No less importantly he left his post at the right time. Realising he was tired and that a lighter touch was needed, he made way for Michael Vaughan. If the adopted Yorkshireman prospers he will surely thank his predecessor for laying the foundations.

England has also found some fast bowlers capable of producing decisive spells in Test cricket. Again patience has been rewarded. Steve Harmisson and ? Jones were identified years ago as lads born with the priceless combination of height and pace. In both cases the road to the the top has been rocky.

Harmisson is a shy man and only in the last few months has he felt at home in the public arena. Once confidence had been located he was able to unleash himself upon batsmen to such effect that now he stands second in the world rankings. Jones suffered a terrible setback in the first Test in Australia and rehabilitation has been a wearisome process for an energetic young man. Wisely England persevered with the fiery Welshman whose best days lie ahead.

Moreover the support bowling is not bad, with swing bowling from Matthew Hoggard and Mark Saggers, the newcomer from Kent. Ashley Giles is an unpretentious but persevering spinner whose contribution is clearly appreciated by his elders.

England also has an all-rounder in Andrew Flintoff, a player who was rightly given time to find the balance between attack and defence needed to release his obvious abilities.  Moreover England has found a stumper capable of scoring runs in test cricket. After years of experiment the gloves were given to Geraint Jones who promptly scored a match-winning century against the New Zealanders in Leeds.

England has crushed a weak West Indian side and a Kiwi outfit missing its main bowler. It is a start. Not until the Indians, South Africans and , above all, Australians have been overcome will England be able to celebrate. Till then it a question of " beware the bear market bounce" But the old country does seem to be heading in the right direction. It is the best bit of news cricket has heard for quite some time.

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