The post-Ashes utopia is well and truly over. If the One Day International destruction in Australia hadn’t already shaken England awake, then the Netherlands did more than enough on Tuesday to bring the Three Lions crashing back down to Earth. Although a six wicket victory with eight balls remaining might appear relatively comfortable, there were enough moments of uncertainty to leave England with a substantial chasm to close before they meet the might of India on Sunday.

The lack of control shown by England’s frontline bowlers will be the primary source of worry amongst the team management. The exemplary lines bowled by James Anderson down under were a distant memory in Nagpur, as the Lancashire pace-man sprayed the ball to a level reminiscent of England’s famed celebration. His bowling at the death was by far the most painful to watch, as Dutch wicketkeeper Peter Borren peppered the boundary rope with worrying ease. Ten overs for seventy-four runs will simply not suffice against Tendulkar and co. in five days’ time.

Yet we must not take any credit from Ryan ten Doeschate, who scored a magnificent 119 for the men in orange. As a leading light on the county circuit, the Netherland’s main man is not a new name amongst the avid followers of English cricket. His ability to blend astute technical stroke play with devastating power hitting makes him a dangerous player in all forms of the game and he would, in my mind, make the starting XI for most international outfits.

Credit must also go to Graeme Swann. The Nottinghamshire off-spinner bowled a respectable ten overs, finishing with two for thirty-five. His changes of pace and mastery of flight will be crucial if England are to be successful in the sub-continent, yet his effort in the field put the icing on a dismal England cake. The dolly he shelled at third man characterised the entire display, as lax ground work, poor catching and severe lapses of concentration (Borren was given a reprieve as England failed to have four men inside the fielding circle) took the potency out of the Three Lions. Although we have come to expect exceptionally high standards after razor sharp fielding displays in Australia, Tuesday’s effort was barely beyond village. The doctor must again prescribe improvement.

Whilst the run chase was successful, England’s batting had a “same old story” feel about it. Opening for the first time, Pietersen made a bright start before mellowing into his shell and allowing Strauss to take on the role as primary aggressor. The England Captain made a breezy 88 before mistiming a pull shot to deep backward square leg. Pietersen, meanwhile, caught another bout of left-arm spinner disease, as Pieter Seelaar snared him for 39. Trott and Bell continued the pattern of getting in and getting out, leaving Paul Collingwood and Ravi Bopara to seal the victory for England with some aggressive stroke making.

Whilst the front-foot, back-foot combination of Pietersen and Strauss complement each other nicely at the top of the order, I can’t help but feel the management have it wrong. I would much prefer to see Bell take the batting lead. The combination of a hard new ball and unparalleled form would ensure a positive start for the Three Lions, leaving Pietersen to unleash his brute force in the second half of the innings. Only time will tell if they have it right.