ENGLAND - Manager: Dan Thomas

The England managers faith in Pakistan proved justified as they did beat Warwick Todd XI in the final round of matches. Unfortunately the freak result inflicted on England in round 16 by Australia effectively cost England the title. Crucially Cork was injured for that match and his bowling was surely missed as he has the best average of the main 4 English bowlers.

In the end both England and Warwick Todd lost 3 matches so it did come down to bonus points and Warwick Todd had the edge there. England just didn't get enough batting points so it was ironic that this week against South Africa England amassed their highest score of the tournament 602 for 5 declared with Atherton, Thorpe, Hussain and Hick all scoring centuries.

Congratulations must also go to Pakistan who finished a close third. Whilst most of the season it seemed like a 2 horse race they beat both England and Warwick Todd. If they had been a little quicker off the starting blocks it could have been a different story.

No team could claim mastery of the Warwick Todd Trophy. Warwick Todd, England and Pakistan all held it for 6 matches to reinforce how even the 3 sides were. The Warwick Todd medal did have a outright winner and that was Croft of England! He played a crucial all rounders role in the England side. He was the highest wicket taker for England 91 @ 20.88 and also scored 496 runs @ 23.62 batting down the order with 3 fifties.

Reflecting on the season Englands strength was their bowling. Croft 91 @ 20.88, Gough 90 @ 21.61, Cork 84 @ 18.93 and Tufnell 58 @ 24.07. Cork was also injured for 3 tests otherwise he would have broken the 100 barrier for the season without any doubt. He was missed most in that match against Australia. Batting on the other hand was solid rather than spectacular. No one player dominated the batting. Hussain was the best with 1288 runs @ 49.54 and Atherton the worst of the recognised batsman recorded a perfectly respectable 1145 @ 36.95. Atherton actually scored the most centuries with 4. Fielding Rhodes finished one short of 100 dismissals for the season but was injured for 2 tests. Hick was the best out of the outfielders taking 14 normally at 2nd slip.

6 players were ever present in the side Atherton, Thorpe, Hussain, Hick, Croft and Gough. The only changes in the England side were as a result of injuries as Englands ideal starting XI never changed for the entire tournament.

It has been an exciting season with ups and downs and one in which England has competed every step of the way. The players can be justifiably be proud of their performances and only 1 poor test all season is very good indeed. We would have settled for that at the start of the season. Congratulations to the Warwick Todd XI for their victory. We pushed you all the way and made you work for it. In matches between the 2 sides it was 1-1 with home advantage just proving the difference.

INDIA - Manager: Mat Kenneally

NEW ZEALAND - Manager: Ben Buchanan

PAKISTAN - Manager: Nathan Porter

SOUTH AFRICA - Manager: Steve Hill

SRI LANKA - Manager: Keith McLeod

WEST INDIES - Manager: Joshua Johnson

ZIMBABWE - Manager: Dave Hickey

WARWICK TODD'S XI - Manager: Warwick Todd