consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons

Like a driver who has ignored the warning lights on the dashboard for many miles, England can hardly be shocked that their vehicle has finally broken down.A team that has dropped, on average, two chances an innings (15 so far this series), cannot be shocked that their fielding errors have finally cost them dear.A team that, Alastair Cook and Joe Root apart, has not produced a century from the top five since May 2015 (when Adam Lyth made 107 against New Zealand), cannot be shocked when that over-reliance is exploited.And a team that has, in recent years, played its domestic cricket on green seamers that provide copious assistance to medium-pacers and allow little space for spinners cannot be surprised when, on the better batting surfaces prevalent in international cricket, its spinners, in particular, are found wanting. These problems have been apparent for months. It should surprise nobody that, from time to time, they come back to bite.None of this means that England are a poor side. They have, in Root, Cook and Ben Stokes, the basis of a strong top six and, in James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes, the basis of a strong attack.But what they also have, what they had at the start of the year and have still, is holes. They are still looking for an opener, they are still looking for at least one middle-order batsman and they are still looking for a replacement spinner for Graeme Swann who, even in unhelpful conditions, can bowl economically and provide a measure of control in the field. The emergence of Woakes and the successful promotion of Root to No. 3 are the only areas of progress this summer.Alex Hales performance in this match has been painful. He has, at times this summer, shown improvement as a Test opener. Three times he came close to a maiden century against Sri Lanka (he made scores of 86, 83 and 94 in successive matches), each time demonstrating a tighter technique and increased composure. It is true that the Sri Lankan attack is not the strongest, but conditions were often bowler-friendly.Against this higher-quality attack, he has struggled. Only once in eight innings has he reached 25 and five times he has fallen to edges caught in the cordon. His lapse of judgment here - going to remonstrate with the TV umpire - was a manifestation of his growing anxiety. The same might be said of his use of the DRS (without consultation with his batting partner, Root) in the second innings here: it was the review of Nick Compton in Centurion or Shane Watson in Cardiff. It was the review of a desperate man.Before this match, Hales still had a decent chance of making the trip to Asia. But the combination of his poor catching - whatever the promise of his batting, we really have seen enough to know that he should not be fielding in the cordon - and his immature response to adversity has done him no favours. England may well be back to square one with the opening position. The fact that Lyth is a fine slip fielder - an aching absence within this side - should do his prospects of a recall no harm at all.England are also still in the market for a middle-order batsman. Seven Tests, 11 innings and an average of 19.27 tell their own story about James Vinces first foray in Test cricket. Those flowing drives that have been such a strength in the Championship - or in the lower division of the Championship, anyway - were a weakness at this level. Bowlers have encouraged the stroke, knowing that, sooner or later, it would bring opportunity.It doesnt necessarily mean the selectors were wrong to persist with him. It means they backed their hunch and demonstrated their consistency. They were true to their ethos of giving a player a game too many rather than a game too few. But the experiment has to end here. To pick him for the Asian tours would not just be stubborn, but insanely optimistic. He is young enough and talented enough to go back to county cricket and make the weaknesses of this season the strengths of next, as Bob Woolmer used to say.Englands seamers didnt bowl badly here. They were defeated by a combination of a great batsman, a decent pitch and the inability of their fielders to accept regulation chances. Yes, they were worn down and yes, Andersons declining pace has to be acknowledged, but they dont have too many reasons for beating themselves up.Which brings us to Moeen Ali. This has been a match that could be used by his critics to attack him and his supporters to praise him. Suffice to say, he has batted beautifully but, with the ball, been unable to contain the Pakistan batsmen. By conceding 4.62 runs an over throughout the series, he has been unable to fulfil a major part of his role. Whether any other spinner available to England would have performed notably better is debatable - Moeen really may be the best they have to offer - but it remains an area of considerable weakness. On the brink of two Asian tours, that is a major worry.Perhaps Moeen et al will pull off a major recovery act on day four. It seems unlikely, not least on the basis of the way Gary Ballance groped at Yasir Shahs leg-spin on the third evening, but we live in strange times.Whatever happens, though, England should not use it to mask their faults. They are a decent side with a few players of outstanding potential. They have gone, in little over 18 months, from no-hopers to the brink of No. 1 in the world. The fact that it looks as if they will fall short of that mark for now might be no bad thing in the grand scheme of things. It would have been a premature accolade and, potentially, a burden.Besides, whichever side you support in world cricket, it is hard not to admire and warm to this Pakistan side who, despite every challenge and setback, may be on the brink of reaching that No.1 ranking for the first time themselves. England can learn much from their resilience, their determination and their spirit. Cheap Shoes From China . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Nike Shoes Black Friday 2019 . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. http://www.shoessalecheap.com/ . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Cheap Shoes Outlet . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. Nike Shoes From China . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons.The Oakland Raiders have continued their high-profile free agency spree by bringing in Reggie Nelson. The former Cincinnati Bengals safety has agreed a two-year contract with the Raiders, and follows Kelechi Osemele, Sean Smith and Bruce Irvin as the Raiders latest major off-season acquisition.Nelson was arguably the best remaining defensive player available in free agency, having earned his first Pro Bowl invitation last season. NFL Ins & Outs Keep up with the latest That was after the 32-year oldd led the league with eight interceptions alongside Kansas City Chiefs rookie Marcus Peters.ddddddddddddIt was a little bit of a surprise that the Bengals let Nelson leave without much of a fight, but they believe 2013 third-round pick Shawn Williams is ready to start opposite George Iloka.It is another boost for a Raiders secondary that struggled at times last season, and also lost the legendary Charles Woodson to retirement.Head coach Jack Del Rio now has the luxury of Nelson, Sean Smith and 2015 standout David Amerson in the backfield. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits ' ' '