With India holding a winning lead in the one-day series, the last week of England's tour felt like an exercise in fixture fulfilment.
 |  England are seventh in the one-day rankings and that's where they deserve to be |
They would be better served by playing one-day series before the Tests on future tours.
It would go some way towards addressing the criticism that they are under-cooked going into the first Test of a series - and would also elevate the importance of the one-dayers.
The England management strongly resist the suggestion that they do not place sufficient emphasis on the short game.
But even though the tour will be seen as a qualified success because the Test series was drawn, India's 5-1 victory in the limited overs game was an accurate reflection of the gap between the teams.
True, England had their chances in the first two games, but such chances need to be taken.
Of course, there are reasons and excuses, there always are.
The heat, the extensive travel, tiredness, missing players, inexperience are all put forward but none are particularly convincing.
Regarding the first three, it was the same for both sides. Remember, India only returned from a tough tour of Pakistan on the eve of England's arrival.
As for the last two, India can point to the fact that they were without Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, while they have novices themselves in Suresh Raina, Sri Sreesanth, Robin Uthappa, Munaf Patel, and RP and VRV Singh.
Two other factors were more important.
Firstly, India exploited home advantage. They are hard to resist when they get on a roll in front of their boisterous supporters.
 Rahul Dravid's side will now head to the West Indies in good spirits |
Their bowling attack is suited to turning pitches and, apart from Kevin Pietersen, England were vulnerable when they tried to score quickly against the spinners.
Secondly, India treat the one-day game as if it were the be all and end all.
If you asked India's players whether they would prefer to win the next three Test series against Pakistan or the World Cup, the answer would emphatically be the latter.
There is wailing and grinding of teeth if India lose a one-day match, let alone a series. Numerous TV channels analyse each game involving their team as if it were the World Cup final.
Also, in India's brash, thriving cricket marketplace, the short game is the way to instant success and stardom.
It has not taken long for Mahendra Dhoni to replace Sachin Tendulkar and his contemporaries as the fans' favourite.
By contrast, there is a perception in England that Tests are far more important than one-day games.
It is an understandable and defendable viewpoint, but England will find it hard to win the World Cup for as long as that view persists.
England are seventh in the one-day rankings and that's where they deserve to be.
MMIX
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