British media blames international schedule

"Donkeys on their last legs plod home" -- read a headline in the British media as it blamed hectic scheduling for the cricket team's quarterfinal exit from the World Cup and called for skipper Andrew Strauss' ouster.

The injury-ravaged England -- which lost key players such as Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad in the middle of the event -- were handed a humiliating 10-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals last night.

"This was a big game, but if they were unable to draw on hitherto admirable reserves of never-say-die spirit, it was largely because most of them were (mentally at any rate) on their last legs already," the 'Sunday Times' said.

England have been on the road for almost six months now and besides injuries, the team lost all-rounder Michael Yardy to depression during the World Cup.