Success will come only with time

It clearly shows that making a team successful is a long-term job, and must not be confused with that of a manager's role in football, writes Bob Woolmer.

Michael Slater said to me after Pakistan's close match against Australia at Lord’s on September 4, that he reckoned that this would be the final replay at the Oval on September 25. All I can say is that he got close! But, not close enough.

As coach of the Pakistan side and as an ex-England cricketer I am both elated and disappointed.

England are more resilient under Michael Vaughan these days. And as Ricky Ponting said "they completely outplayed us", indeed not only outplayed them but have given the Aussies a serious headache.

The reason I say this is that Pakistan did well against the Aussies in Amstelveen and at Lord’s, before they threw away the advantage. Australians, now know they are vulnerable.

England exploited this vulnerability to the utmost.

To Pakistan's unceremonious exit from the Champions trophy, many will of course point to Pakistan's up and down nature. Indeed, the commentators and expert opinion will criticise Inzamam for batting first. There are occasions in life when the gut feel needs to be used and on that day it wasn't.

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