English cricket is deluding itself. In its desire to prove Alastair Cook is the right man to consign the Australian car crash to history, it has created a fresh sequence of accidents, each more wreckage-strewn than the last. Being bounced out by Mitchell Johnson was just about understandable, a potent mix of physics and fear. But Ishant Sharma, a bowler who has spent much of his career being mocked by Indian fans, who has a Test average in the late-30s, and who had to be persuaded by his captain to bang it in short? This was the kind of nadir that makes other nadirs looks like imposters.
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English cricket creating even more havoc by backing Cook as skipper
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For third Test at Ageas Bowl Cook will be captain and Peter Moores coach
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Cook's Test average of 45.34 is lowest for four years
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MS Dhoni was miles ahead of Cook at Lord's
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Moores' reappointment as coach was dubious given record in first spell
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Virat Kohli should stick to celebrating wickets with his India team-mates
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Ideal finish to first Test at Trent Bridge would have been on fourth day
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Cricket Australia should be careful - Jos Buttler is next up for England
@placeholder not merrier: Peter Moores' second spell as England coach is proving a chastening experience