Moores: England will bounce back after Stanford thrashing

As for the Stanford experience, it was no surprise at all in the end that Pietersen's team lost just that they failed to give wholly committed, splendidly prepared and undeniably talented opponents even one moment of concern if front of a deliriously happy crowd.

Assuming this event is repeated next year, England can perhaps play under a different name and maybe apply pressure to have any winnings split equally between all squad members, though neither of those ideas to be discussed over the next few months are in line with Sir Allen Stanford's plans.

But unless Kev's Crew, or whatever they are called, turn up with the attitude that there is no shame in either competing for big money or talking about it, then the trip will be a waste of time.

This visit was not about trying to prepare for a tour of India - even though that quickly became the party line - but playing one game of Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Stanford style)?

That was how Chris Gayle and the rest of the Superstars saw it, and there was not a hint of embarrassment about the credit crunch, or anything else, in their eyes once England were pulverised.

"As a team we have not done it the right way," admitted Pietersen. "I just think that when we do this next year it is a case of buying into it and giving it a heck of a go - concentrating on it as if it is a series, as we did against South Africa. But this week we have been distracted by too much and that is our own fault."

There is little doubt England will be a lot more up front next year. For some members of this squad, though, they may have messed up their one and only chance to scoop cricket's jackpot.

"I think we've probably learned a very expensive lesson," admitted Moores.

Financially, there is more bad news for England as it appears they will be unable to play a full part in next year's mega-bucks Indian Premier League.

With opponents still not in place for the two Tests and three one-day matches scheduled for May, the ECB could have kept the first part of the 2009 season free from internationals allowing the team to make the most of lucrative IPL deals by spending six weeks in India.

But the hierarchy at Lord's insist that the English game cannot afford to lose five fixtures and with plans to bring the West Indies over it would means Pietersen and his team-mates could spend no more than a fortnight in India.

"We have legal commitments to two Tests and three one-dayers in May with our broadcasters," said ECB chairman Giles Clarke. "That [cancelling them] would be at a major cost to English cricket."