England's misery prolonged after T20 loss.

Bopara's efforts were in vain as England suffered another defeat at the hands of Australia. 

If this were a boxing match, the referee would have called time a while ago now, but when you commit yourself to a tour, no such luxury exists.

England's woes down-under seem to have lasted a lifetime, with Australia emerging comprehensive victors in whichever format of the game is put in front of them.

Yesterday's T20 match, whilst somewhat trivial, served only to increase this misery with England suffering a 13-run defeat, a margin which would have been much larger were it not for Ravi Bopara's efforts, who recorded the fastest half-century by and England player in an International T20.

Selection has been a major talking point over the past few weeks. In hindsight, it is fair to say that a number of players in the England squad have failed to deliver and that major changes need to be made, assuming the players are available to do so.

Using the shortest form of the game as an example, England do not seem to have acknowledged the players who are waiting in the wings. Of course, the recent emergence of Chris Jordan would suggest otherwise, but even he is a player who might benefit from more time in county cricket.

In order to get my point across I will throw Ben Stokes' name in to the frame. One of the rare highlights of this tour, Stokes has exceeded expectations and almost certainly secured a future with the England set-up due to his all-round potential.

However, in Durham's title-winning season, the 22-year-old averaged just 27.95 with the bat, an average which was beaten in both limited overs campaigns.

I am therefore confused as to why Stokes was not in yesterday's squad, along with a number of players better suited to the game than Joe Root, including Michael Carberry, James Vince, or Scott Borthwick.

If Stokes is being rested then I am worried for the rest of our squad who are, in the majority, much older than him.

T20 captain Stuart Broad defended this omission stating that: "Ben has been a form player, but in T20 over the last 18 months we've done some wonderful things."

Consistency is an important thing in sport but we'll reassess; when you lose games you've got to find a way to win." 

The latter half of his statement suggests that Stokes may be included in the second T20 match but the expression 'too little too late' comes to mind. 

In many ways, watching Aaron Finch bat yesterday reminded me of a boxing match. But at least boxing has a weight system to match opponents of a similar calibre.

England's slow start with the bat proved costly, but with three Big Bash batsmen at the top of the order, a fast start ought to have been on the cards.

As a result, the efforts of Bopara were in vain, with the Essex all-rounder striking boundaries and simultaneously increasing the required run rate.

Having said all of that, T20 is trivial, in the wider context of this tour and the England camp know that losing the Ashes in the manner they did effectively ended the tour before a box of white balls could be opened.

Parry included in provisional t20 squad.

Parry missed a number of games last year with a broken-arm.

Lancashire's left-arm spinner, Stephen Parry, was one of the surprising inclusions for England's provisional ICC World T20 squad alongside Harry Gurney of Nottinghamshire.

Parry missed a number of matches in the 2013 season due to a broken-arm, but has continued to be a reliable figure in Lancashire's one-day squad, as has Simon Kerrigan, who achieved an Ashes call-up last summer.

Prior to his untimely injury, Parry appeared to be heading for another successful season with the club, claiming his first five-wicket-haul against Surrey in May, but was struck on his bowling arm during a net session at Northamptonshire soon after.

With 63 wickets in 56 Twenty20 matches, Parry has proven his capability as a spinner at county level and as England search for a new spinner, he gives the selectors something to think about if he continues to perform.

The selection also includes the recently acquired Jos Buttler, who has been playing in the third instalment of the Australian Big Bash for Melbourne Renegades, as well as England's recent one-day series with Australia.

Full squad: Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Scott Borthwick (Durham), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Harry Gurney (Nottinghamshire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Graham Onions (Durham), Steven Parry (Lancashire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).

Lancashire targeting memorable anniversary.

Moores prior to Lancashire's t20 quarter final versus Hampshire. 

The 2013 season proved to be a memorable one for Lancashire, winning the Division Two title with conviction, but the Red Rose County are hoping that their 150^th anniversary will mark further silverware in limited overs cricket after a series of near-misses in recent years.

In last seasons FLt20 campaign the Lightning met their match at the Ageas Bowl and, in a thrilling quarter-final, were eliminated by the narrowest of margins as Michael Carberry’s century led Hampshire to a one-run victory.

Further disappointment came in 2012 in the YB40 competition, as Lancashire were beaten at home by Warwickshire in the semi-finals, subsequently missing out on a trip to Lords.

Despite having one of the best t20 records in the country, winning the most games (62) since the tournaments introduction, Lancashire have never managed to win the campaign in its ten-year history.

Hampshire have also won 62 matches since 2003, but have managed to win the tournament twice in 2010 and 2012, reaching finals-day on four consecutive occasions.

But, speaking at the clubs 150^th anniversary forum, Coach, Peter Moores, made it clear that he hopes this season will fulfil the clubs potential.

Lancashire celebrate after winning the Division Two Title.

“We've got very close to winning a trophy during the last couple of years. We've been in quarter-finals, semi-finals and Finals Days, but we haven't managed to get over the line. I think that's a real goal for us this year.

The lads have won a couple of things, and you get used to winning. It's a habit. Getting promoted was fantastic, but winning it was even better because you get to know that out of the nine teams you were the best, which is really important.”

But, in spite of the club’s anniversary, Moores insists that he will be treating this season like any other campaign.

“It would be lovely to win a trophy with it being the 150th year, but it doesn't really make any difference for us. I think we are on our journey, on which we have won the Championship once and won another trophy - the Division Two title last year.”

With Lancashire achieving success in the Championship in recent seasons, Moore is also hoping that their confidence can be replicated into other forms of the game.

Stephen Moore departure leaves a void in
 Lancashire's batting line-up for the 2014 season.

“We want to be really competitive in Division One next season, and we also want to take that next step forward in one-day cricket if we can.

Lancashire’s ambitions may well be vindicated especially due to  the acquisition of Jos Buttler which Moores believes will give the squad a boost.

“Jos Buttler, and players like him, can hit a ball like never before. It's an ability that is crucial in the one-day game.”

However, the recent departure of opening batsman, Stephen Moore, who was the clubs top-scorer in the t20 format last season, leaves a gap at the top of the order for one-day fixtures. 

The balance between experience and youth at the club is something that has worked very well in recent seasons and Lancashire will be aiming to extend their success beyond the Championship in 2014.