Pre-tournament warmup matches are not England’s bag
According to Cricinfo yesterday, Kevin Pietersen spared “England’s blushes” in the Twenty20 warmup against Scotland. Their display was described as “flat” and “naive”. Elsewhere, it was “uninspired” (Times) or “reticent” (Telegraph).
But they still won by six wickets.
If I have learned anything from the England football team in recent years (and I have), it is that English sportsmen do not do warmup matches well. There’s not much to play for.
Whereas Australia might treat the exercise as a chance to make a big score, or the West Indies might decide to go out and have fun, England’s main concern is to not get embarrassed. Especially by Scotland.
Which is why they will always give a drab, workmanlike performance. Efficient but not much more.
A six wicket win against Scotland is the equivalent of a 2-0 victory over, say, Tunisia in a World Cup warmup match – job done, but never going to set the world alight.
Today they are playing West Indies, and their first match in the tournament is against Holland, so expect more of the same. We will not get a proper picture of England’s chances in the competition until they come up against Pakistan on Sunday.
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