England the new masters

THE ASHES

The FT’s Matthew Engel believes England have established a mastery over Australia that is unprecedented in the memory of almost anyone present in Sydney. In The Times John Woodcock says Andrew Strauss’s side are of an age, character and ability to fulfil their well-advertised ambitions. Simon Barnes highlights the fact that the current England set-up hold the belief  that is it is players who need to be ruthless, not management. The Independent’s James Lawton has been impressed with England’s embrace of competitive humility throughout the series.  Peter Roebuck believes Australia have been given a cricketing education. The Daily Mirror’s Ian Botham says England have been magnificent. This was a thumping series victory. It’s been a blast to watch. In The Sun England spinner Graeme Swann reveals that England’s new objective is to be the best team in the world. We can never relax, never settling for second best. The Daily Mail’s Martin Samuel argues that this England team has established an enduring legacy to those that follow. Nasser Hussain pays tribute to the retiring Paul Collingwood. He epitomised the change of attitude in English cricket. The Guardian’s Kevin Mitchell says Collingwood got out at the perfect time. The Daily Telegraph’s Simon Hughes argues that mastering the art of reverse swing has been the difference between the two attacks. 

HODGSON ON THE BRINK

The Sun’s man on Merseyside Phil Thomas thinks you could put God in the Anfield hotseat now and they’d only be a couple of places higher in the table. Steven Howard says Roy Hodgson has one and a half feet in the grave and he’s dug much of it himself. The Independent’s Ian Herbert thinks Liverpool owner John W Henry is creating a news vacuum that is making Hodgson’s position desperate. The Daily Telegraph’s Henry Winter points out that managers used to be for life. Now they are lucky to get past Christmas. The Guardian’s Paul Hayward says we are close to the moment when sackings become an official sport with their own television deal.

FOOTBALL

In The Daily Telegraph Alan Smith looks at where it has all gone wrong for Chelsea. Jim White believes Man City manager Roberto Mancini must learn to win trophies in style.

RUGBY UNION

In The Times Mark Souster says the departure of Rob Andrew as RFU director of elite rugby brings to an end one of the less glorious chapters in the union’s history. John Steele, the new chief executive, should be applauded for acting swiftly and making tough decisions that should have been taken years ago. The Daily Telegraph’s Mick Cleary thinks England have a long way to go yet to reclaim their former status. Steele, at the very least, kick-started that process on Thursday. The Guardian’s Shaun Edwards believes Twickenham should be wary of change for its own sake. The Daily Mail’s Chris Foy thinks Wasps’ match in Abu Dhabi represents a great step for the game.