Into the 90s: England v Pakistan (1996 - 1st Test)

England v Pakistan, Lord's, July 1996; a Test match that contained the classic ingredients of an England performance in the 1990s. Glimmers of hope before the realism kicked in; key moments that were not seized; a debutant that would join the one-cap wonder camp; Graeme Hick failing; Graham Thorpe reaching 50 but not making a century; leg spin torment; and of course the standard batting collapses.

Following the England Test team in the 90s was often a frustrating experience. The first Test of the 1996 series against Pakistan was a perfect example. Having defeated India 1-0 in the first part of the summer, it was obvious that Pakistan would provide a much sterner examination. But England were hardly helped when their preparations were thrown into chaos.

Into the 90s: Arsenal v Coventry (1993)

Opening league matches were becoming an issue for Arsenal as the Division One evolved into the Premier League. Since winning the league title so memorably at Anfield in May 1989, the club had suffered from first day nerves, losing 4-1 at Old Trafford, scraping a draw at home against QPR, and being humiliated by Norwich at Highbury.

But surely the 1993/94 campaign would be different. Starting the season at home against Bobby Gould's Coventry, the 4/1 odds on an away victory highlighted the difficulty of the task ahead for the Sky Blues. Graham's team may have developed into a cup team - the first to win both domestic cups in the same season in 1992/93 - yet some experts wondered if Arsenal were ready for another tilt at the title.