England refuse to panic despite defeat in first Test

ENGLAND have become the second best Test side in the world by persevering with selections — so to ditch such a policy when beaten once by the best would be premature and could be ultimately damaging.

Frustration from all quarters, given the excitement of the seemingly endless build-up to the Ashes, should not spill over into rash decision making.

Michael Vaughan's men were anxious to get at the Australians early and it showed at Lord's, where the pace of the match, catalysed by a heady atmosphere, spun them through all kinds of emotions inside the first day and where they grabbed over-eagerly at their chances in the field rather than relax and allow catches to come to them.