Why England needs to look beyond honest chat and do a reality check

England's humiliating performance in the MCG Test resulted in a loss by an innings and 14 runs.

In February 2020, we're in Hamilton. India has recently lost an ODI, and the players are having supper together the next night. Ravi Shastri and his trusty sidekick Bharat Arun oppose the establishment. As the players depart, he calls a young fast bowler over for a chat.

"HEAD UUPPP..." he yells at the youngster. He went on to say that one terrible performance shouldn't destroy an athlete's career. Eh, and how lowering your shoulders after a game was "Run into training tomorrow, bowl ekdum bindaas (carefree) and see how it stimulates you and the group."

A confident cricketer or not, Shastri thinks his song "Head Up" is loud and powerful enough.

The squad was lost before they landed in Melbourne

In Melbourne on Tuesday night, the English camp (28 Dec) If their coaches or support staff could or should have woken them awake. The truth without "disappointment" or "honest dialogue". Uneasy for the entire squad. Thousands were humiliated at the MCG, and they wonder why no one helped.

Now is the time for reflection. They were gone too. That squad was lost before they landed in Melbourne. And now the MCG suggests they've at rock bottom.

Coach Chris Silverwood's comments after his side was bowled out for 68 on the third day of the third Test were unclear. But he talked of "honest discourse" and looked at the series' "positives."

The current England team mindset of "c'est la vie" means no one in their camp can pull a Shastri.

Preparation for the third Test has been urged by many former players. Maybe they're just too kind to one other. Maybe it's time to be severe, even if it means blaming one other. This may be a good time for Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson to notify the rest of the gang. Decide and lead.

It's time for England's players to express themselves and shake off the hostility that has surrounded their every action on this dreadful journey.

Coach Jason Gillespie thoughts

The following was spoken lately by former fast bowler and coach Jason Gillespie on team honesty.

"Rarely will a guy offer you everything you desire. Untruthfulness is the hallmark of a good teammate."

A teammate should point out what people need to hear but don't want to hear, and Root and his crew should have done just that. They must decide if they can accomplish it alone or with aid. Someone like Ravi Shastri or Justin Langer, who isn't scared to stand up for the team.

The players were pushed to their limits by Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower. And they did it for 25 years. The close-knit structure of county cricket, where the current group originates and thrives, may not elicit as strong a reaction from fans elsewhere.

Their tolerance for a bad coach. Sure. A burning bottom is a good sign. Too windy. Everyone appears to want to be pleasant rather than push others out of their comfort zones.

Rory Burns drank

Batsmen had "heated meetings" after the Adelaide Test. Due to the MCG pitch's issues, there was no ticker on Boxing Day in the second inning.

Wednesday et (December 29). Rory Burns drank after the disaster. Assistant coach Graham Thorpe had a big influence. Thorpe and Burns were seen arguing before the last MCG Test. With the team's left-handed opener, he discussed strategy and technique.

Thorpe was joined by Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope on Day 4. So why wasn't it before the urn vanished? A loss on the inside edge of the bat, as opposed to the outer edge, appeared acceptable. He wasn't ready for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Maybe Thorpe, with 100 Tests for his country, is the disruptor England so desperately need. His goal is to ensure his colleagues start the new year with a clean head, not only on the ice.

For the 36 all out in Adelaide, Shastri had pushed his team to wear it as a badge. Root & Co. may be too late. Their dignity would be restored by admitting that the shambolic 68 all out was an opportunity to be sincerer with one other.