We must learn to handle pressure

It has been good to see that the selectors have resisted wholesale changes, which must have been tempting with the scoreline as it stands. However, you have to earn an England cap, and not just wake up one morning and have one pop out of your Cornflakes box. Talent must be identified and then stuck with. It will be interesting to see how the new academy works out with Rod Marsh at the helm. For me it will depend on who is identified, a tough job for anyone.

One person, David Fulton, at Kent, must feel a tad miffed after churning out eight hundreds this season without recognition. This must beg the question, do performances in county cricket mean anything? If the powers that be don't fancy you, then who knows about your chances of playing.

I was always told that runs and wickets mean everything, but perhaps that is not the case with this new-age, multi-dimensional cricket.

As for who makes up the side at Headingley, I would look to play seven batsmen, including Alec Stewart, and the four most-attacking bowlers, which will mean a straight choice between Johnno and Mullally.

What must be understood is that these next two Tests are certainly not a waste of time. Playing for England at any stage is an honour and the highlight of a cricketer's career - let's not forget that.

At the end of the day we lost to an excellent Aussie side who were simply too good for us.

So let's almost start again. Let's get the right things in place to allow us to produce better cricketers. And let's start the process at Headingley.

Although if it's a green wicket and overcast conditions, make sure you get there early.