What the papers said about . . . English cricket

'Trinidead 'n' buried.' Sun

'The innocuous-sounding figure of 46, otherwise noted merely as a bus route, was tattoed permanently yesterday on whatever is left of the body of English cricket.' Guardian

'Among the many qualities that has made the West Indians nigh on unbeatable in Test cricket for two decades is an honours degree in escapology, and among the many qualities that has made English Test cricket abroad nigh on unspeakable over the past few years is the practised aplomb with which they manage to pluck total cock-ups out of thin air.' Independent

'Horror show in a Port of Pain.' Express

'So absolute was their capitulation that it will remain impossible to define accurately the degree of Curtly Ambrose's astonishing performance. Here was sustained hostility with barely a single ball not directed like a bullet at the stumps rather than at the head. It could not now be said that this was a victory by physical intimidation other than the intimidation of exceptional legitimate bowling.' Times

'Perfect height, perfect speed: a catch Hick would have swallowed 999 times out of 1,000. But this was the 1,000th time and England's propensity for shooting gift horses was illustrated yet again.' Mail

'Time's up for Fletcher.' Today

'One-sided series are bad for the game and a weak England team equally so. A tougher first-class environment at home has become a necessity, a nettle to be grasped when the new UK Cricket Board comes into being next year.' Telegraph

'The game of cricket is only partly a contest of natural ability. In moments of crisis it is won and lost in the mind, the heart, the stomach and the sphincter . . . England failed to cope not only because Ambrose is one of the greatest bowlers ever but because none of their relevant parts of the anatomy was up to the situation.' Guardian

'The team that died of shame.' Mirror