England's one day cricket rejuvenation is a big hit with fans

For years English fans have followed a team that has treated one day cricket as though it was an illicit pastime — something the players mustn't be seen to embrace or enjoy too much. Likewise the selectors have long held the view, stick our Test players in pyjamas and see how we go.

Hence the ill-fated attempt to play back to basics cricket that mired the World Cup campaign in 2007. Hence the sight of classical Test batsmen like Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell shouldering arms to deliveries at the top of the innings in a bid to preserve wickets. Hence the early exits.

Ironically the catalyst for the transformation of England's fortunes has come from the decision of Andrew Strauss not to captain the Twenty20 side. We'll have to forgive the England selectors' initial pairing of Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell who thankfully were totally eclipsed by their opponents in the 'B' team Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter. But now these two are looking a winning combination.

Credit must go to coach Andy Flower who is clearly one of the deeper thinkers on the international circuit. He has picked players for the Twenty20 arena capable of blazing away from the start. For the first time players have the licence to flex their muscles in the power plays and really cash in on the overs when the fielders must come off the boundary ropes.

It's nothing short of a breath of fresh air to watch the way this England side are playing in the Caribbean, and what's more their new found confidence is proving contagious throughout the team. Suddenly such fielding donkeys as Ryan Sidebottom are pulling off steepling catches from over their heads.

England have a team and an ethos to go all the way in this competition. The tricky question comes for Flower et al when they return to 50-over cricket. Do they dare bring back such players as Andrew Strauss or Alastair Cook or do they have the courage to stick with their opening duo who can swing from the hip.

For now England fans need only enjoy their team's rejuvenation in Twenty20 cricket. Nothing symbolised it more than their victory over South Africa this week when openers Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis laboured along at five an over as England teams of yore might have done. That's why South Africa have flown home and England are dreaming of a final showdown with Australia.

Caribbean carnival puts us in the shade

THE colour and din of the World Twenty20 could not be more of contrast to the drab domestic cricket scene at the moment. Bangladesh's Aussie coach Jamie Siddons has complained of the "ridiculous" weather after their tame draw in their three day tour opener with Surrey in London.

Meanwhile Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook can barely buy a run for their counties. Let's hope things warm up in every sense of the word when England return from the West Indies. Otherwise the only sporting show in town will be the football World Cup in South Africa.

Make way for Shane mark two

THE player I have enjoyed operating the most in the World Twenty20 has been the Aussie leg spinner Steven Smith. Not only is he the leading wicket-taking spinner left in the competition (with nine scalps) but the 20-year-old's action is a dead ringer for another famous Aussie blond tweaker.

Australia's spin cupboard has been bare since Shane Warne shuffled off the Test stage to embrace the world of hair transplant and gambling promotion. Like Warne Smith's a useful bludgeoner. The pair have already worked together on Smith's bowling action. How much fun would it be to have another Aussie blond bombshell ripping it during the Ashes this winter?