England’s Ashes woes continue:
By: Harry Meehan
Tags: Sports Journalists, Sports, Cricket, Australia, The Ashes

England’s Ashes woes continue:

For a number of years English Cricket have spoken of their forward planning with a view to winning back the urn in Australia 2021–22. Those dreams ended when Anderson’s had his stumps rearranged by Cameron Green on the Third day at the MCG.

Why is it that despite such foresight and careful planning, this Ashes tour has been what can only be described as an unmitigated disaster? This article provides suggestions as to why this has happened and concludes that it was perhaps the careful planning and lack of a discernable plan 'B' which has left Joe Root’s men wishing they could start all over.

England’s selection policy changed markedly with the arrival of Ed Smith as national selector in 2018. His changes included bringing the prodigiously talented Jos Buttler back from Test exile on the back of a prolific IPL season and introducing a rotation policy which hasn’t always had the desired effect. Smith was evidently channelling his inner Duncan Fletcher, whose genius was in identifying players in County Cricket whose stats didn’t tell the full picture of their potential, most notably giving Vaughan and Trescothick the opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage, which they duly did.

On the rotation policy, this was intended to aid the players to avoid both physiological injuries aswell as mental fatigue or 'burnout’. However, many of England’s top performers and pundits were left bemused by the timings of their designated rest periods. Not least Stuart Broad, who struggled to keep his emotions in check in a big brother style interview, after being left out of the first Test against the West Indies at Southampton in 2020. Did this rotation policy create a rigidity to English cricket which, instead of allowing the players to flourish, actually stifled their undoubted natural flair and ability?

Said rigidity in planning can be seen throughout this Ashes tour, most notably in selection. To start the series without Broad and Anderson on a green wicket at the GABBA is at best a mistake and at worst gross negligence. The start of Test series against the old enemy should be seen as an opportunity to set the standard and make a mark. England inexplicably chose to leave their two most prolific bowlers carrying the drinks. This was obviously a decision made some time before the first test as a result of their limited workloads in the build up to the series. However, it is no good for the ECB to hide behind medical advice on this occasion, both Broad and Anderson are incredibly experienced campaigners who know their way round a test match; they would not have let England down, regardless of their limited preparations.

Regarding the forward planning which has supposedly taken place in expectation of this Ashes tour, this essentially involved finding the quickest bowlers in English cricket and ear marking them for selection, as pace is seen as king in Australia. However, this policy went straight out of the window when it became apparent that both Jofra Archer and Olly Stone would be unavailable for selection through injury. Now whilst it would be easy to suggest that these injuries are part of the reason for such gross failings of the team out in Australia, it must be noted that it has been the batting which has let England down time and time again. England’s batsmen look to be playing within themselves, in some case appearing to be waiting to be dismissed. It can be argued that the current culture of game plans and forward planning has led to players becoming stifled on the international stage, notably Ollie Pope who unfortunately looks a shadow of his County Championship self. Cricket is a game to be played on instinct, with ebbs and flows requiring players to think on their feet and establish the best approach and over five days it is unlikely proceedings will ever unfold exactly as planned. England’s batsman have been found wanting at times, seemingly unable to play the situation which is cardinal sin for any sportsman, never mind international super stars.

England’s players on this Ashes tour have cut forlorn figures, finding bizarre ways to be dismissed and being completely dominated by their Australian counterparts. Now of course there is mitigation. They are travelling in the midst of the global pandemic and what must at times feel like Groundhog Day and the issues raised by the Yorkshire Cricket scandal which is ongoing is likely to be playing on the minds of a few players, not least the Captain who is himself a proud Yorkshireman.

It is not all doom and gloom, English Cricket is blessed with a cartel of limited overs talent which is the envy of the world, often dubbed by those on the fringes as the “hardest team to break into in world sport". Now whether that is true or not is not the subject of this article, but given the talent so clearly available in England, why can it not be channeled into the Test format? I am not nearly qualified enough to comment on technical flaws which may limit a player’s potential so will therefore not pass comment on such matters, but viewing from a far it seems that the energy around the limited overs squad is far more positive and conducive to success; see 2019 world cup triumph.

Whilst autopsies are not always useful, it seems that the time is now ripe for change. This change can be simple and be inspired by lessons learned from England’s limited overs team. It is time for a simplified approach: consistently pick the best eleven players available. This is neither a glamorous approach nor a novel one, but it might just lead to success.

(Image Joel Carrett)