Taking apart the five-pronged pace attack

There is nothing as liberating in this beautiful game of ours as slaying the beast that is the four-pronged pace attack.

This current England side have done better than that. They have tamed an even rarer beast, the five-pronged pace attack.

But what of Saqlain Mushtaq? Where is the best off spin bowler in the world? This decision not to play him will harm Pakistan.

It's great to have fast, faster, faster even, fastest, and surely is fastest playing, in your team, but variation is a key element and this pace quintet lost momentum because it became the norm.

Preparation for Pakistan perhaps personified performance publicly. Only two warm-up games before the first Test raises the issue of better preparation. Whose decision was this?

Often at this venue, Lord's, England have been a victim of their own institution. Opposition teams rise above themselves to give England a miserable record at the home of cricket.

But this game's outstanding play has been produced by England. Continuing their great winter form has seen a continued buzz that resonates through all involved with cricket in Blighty.

Success in Test cricket is historically laid down by two departments - opening bowlers and opening batsmen.

England now have both.

In these departments they have a well-rounded Yorkshireman, an ex-Kiwi (damn!), a dry Lancastrian and a champion sausage eater.

With this series only being two Tests (again you've got to ask who's decision was that?) England still have to wrap up the series but they will know Pakistan will bounce back as they get more familiar with English conditions.

Talking of adaption, my own captain Stephen Fleming has zoned in his signals on the elite of county cricket.

After an indifferent start his blade is beginning to plunder attacks and two tons in succession have seen Flem stamp his mark on the county scene.

As conditions dry out I am predicting a big season for the Kiwi skipper and I know all New Zealanders will wish him the best.

With the Ashes just around the corner, the epitomy of cricketing heritage, it sees England poised with their best chance since Maggie Thatcher's days.

Up against an Aussie side that contains a few elder statesmen on the brink of retirement, this resurgent Lion of England brigade will be involved in what will no doubt be an exciting, enthralling encounter.

Above these two teams though the paying public will be surrounded by the immortal message that I know will ring true - cricket will be the winner.