India, Nov. 29 -- Having come into these Ashes with confidence and a lot of chatter regarding how this England team was the first one with a chance to beat Australia in Australia in 15 years, the expectations were drummed up and sent through the roof in Perth's opening Test. The subsequent implosion that left them 1-0 down after just two days of action rocked England's morale, and opened the doors for all the criticisms of 'Bazball' to hammer the team afresh.

To make matters worse, what followed was confirmation that England's main players wouldn't participate in the pink-ball tour match against the Australian Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this week, before the day-night Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane. Infuriating pundits and fans...