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.

1989 Ashes: An A to Z of humiliation

Failing to regain the Ashes in 2019 hurt, but nothing can compare to the 1989 series that provided an A to Z of humiliation.

They may have been billed as the worst Australian team to tour England, yet in David Boon the tourists at least had a drinker to contend with the best.  Reportedly drinking fifty-two cans of lager on the flight over, Boon had to be carried off the plane.