England completed what has been a miserable World Cup campaign with a highly entertaining win against the host’s team, the West Indies on Saturday.  The captain, Michael Vaughan, a much maligned figure in the press over the past couple of weeks showed what a number of our media seem to have forgotten, that he is very much still a world class batsmen.  Kevin Pietersen played another wonderful innings and Paul Nixon came in and did exactly what was required as the game reached a thrilling climax. 

Alas this was all in vain as England had already lost any chance of reaching the semi-finals after their dismal showing against South Africa last week.  I would imagine there will be a number of our World Cup squad coming home and fretting about their immediate international futures.  There will be quite a few of those lads playing a lot of county cricket this summer.

The coach, Duncan Fletcher announced his resignation from his post last Thursday.  This has been a sad episode as the media once again have got their claws in to someone and not let go.  Duncan Fletcher has done a great job for this country’s cricket team over the last few years.  He helped mould not only individuals, but a team that was goo enough to regain the Ashes in the summer of 2005.  Technically he has been a fantastic coach and I know any number of England’s recent top order batsmen who only have good things to say about Duncan.  Good luck to him in the future and a big thank you for what you have done for our game.

Our players now have a week or so rest before a round of country cricket and then a packed international summer, two days off and then on to a packed international winter.  Good luck to all concerned.