...the path ahead

Something on the lines of what I mentioned in the post after the Ind-Nz match, GC here underlines the fact that its constant development he is concerned with, more than the results. "We're not judging a team on outcomes such as winning the series," and "We've judging them more on whether they're improving in critical areas.

But, before we think that is an early excuse for loosing the final, here's more on what he has to say : "If we won the series that would be a confidence boost but if we win without doing things we need to do well then it will be a less important victory."

and also, on missing bond and vettori in the last fight "We won't be in a position to judge whether we've improved at all until we're put under pressure by those bowlers," Chappell conceded.

For me, as I said, the sign of consistent development is not so much in the 'short term' results as much as in the components of the game. Like our fielding, or the willingness to stay at the wicket while batting, or the fight with bowling (even when going for runs)...in fact the whole overall 'presence' that the team displays out there in the center.

And yes, sure, we all know that in the long term its the results that count. But lets wait for those, and look at it after a reasonable period...lets say..end of the season (after the WI tour, is it?)