Lack of Sleep Blamed For Defeat

When it proves impossible for a dignitary to attend an award ceremony it is usual for them to record a message, which can be played at the appropriate moment.

Incredibly this did not happen for last night's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and the entire England team was kept up until 1am and Flintoff to 2am, local time.

In an age where the management of the England teamed is praised for its professionalism this was a surprising lapse. I see no reason why the awarding of the personality of the year and team of the year could not have been recorded earlier in the evening. If the magnificent Ellen McArthur had won instead, the recorded clip would have ended up on the cutting room floor.

I thought in this professional age it was no longer acceptable for cricketer to stay up into the small hours and then play the next day.