Defeat in final Test should not dampen England spirits

England should return home from South Africa very pleased with what they have achieved on their tour. To go out there, one of the most difficult places in the world to play cricket, and not lose in any of the three series (Twenty20, one-day international and Test) is a credit to them. They will no doubt go home disappointed, however, after South Africa came back to draw the Test series with victory at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

The surprising thing about England’s convincing defeat was the manner in which they folded after holding on in thrilling fashion twice previously in the series to prevent South Africa claiming victory. Of course Graham Onions was the key to both those rearguard actions and, in my view, it was a travesty he was not selected for the final Test. I may be a little biased because Graham is one of our clients here at ISM, but I thought he bowled extremely well during the series and batted with great composure despite the tense situation when called upon.

The selectors had clearly decided they wanted Ryan Sidebottom in the side at the Wanderers because they thought it was the sort of pitch which would suit him. I’m sure Graham would have loved to have bowled at the Wanderers after bowling on much flatter surfaces earlier in the series, but it was England’s belief he was looking tired.

It was the batting, however, which contributed most to England’s downfall. They had dug in so well previously in the...